Breaking Stereotypes Through Engineering

Emily Heaton is a Process & Environmental Engineer at Heidelberg Materials. Since joining the company as a graduate chemical engineer, Emily has built a career at the intersection of engineering, process optimisation and sustainability – helping to improve the efficiency and environmental performance of cement production.

What began as a graduate placement has developed into a role where she is helping tackle some of the industry’s biggest challenges, from reducing emissions to improving energy efficiency and exploring alternative fuels.

“Joining Heidelberg Materials completely changed my perception of what the minerals industry is really about.”

Discovering a Passion for Sustainability

After graduating from the University of Manchester with a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Emily joined Heidelberg Materials’ graduate scheme at Ribblesdale Cement Works.

The programme gave her experience across multiple areas of the business, including quarrying, laboratory operations, clinker production and cement milling, while also completing a Diploma in Cement Studies at the University of Derby.

During her graduate rotations, Emily discovered a passion for environmental engineering and sustainability. She became involved in projects including investigating green ammonia as a hydrogen fuel source, improving onsite water management and delivering a major project to replace electrostatic precipitators with modern bag filters to significantly reduce particulate emissions.

Today, Emily’s role combines process engineering with environmental management. She works to optimise kiln and milling performance, improve energy efficiency, increase the use of alternative fuels and ensure environmental compliance across the site.

More Than Just Rocks

Before entering the industry, Emily admits she knew very little about what working in minerals and cement production actually involved.

Like many people, she associated the sector with heavy machinery and quarrying rather than advanced engineering and innovation.

“I simply thought cement was made by mixing crushed rock and water in the concrete mixers you see on driveways – how wrong I was!”

Instead, she discovered an industry driven by chemistry, engineering and sophisticated manufacturing processes.

From carefully controlling raw material chemistry to operating 1,450°C kilns and managing complex processing systems, Emily quickly realised the technical depth of cement production.

“The industry is incredibly diverse and technically challenging, with no two days being the same.”

Engineering a More Sustainable Future

One of the aspects Emily enjoys most about her role is contributing to the industry’s sustainability ambitions.

Whether it’s improving energy efficiency, increasing the use of alternative fuels and raw materials or supporting projects that reduce CO₂ emissions, she is motivated by the opportunity to make a real environmental impact.

“There are huge opportunities to make a genuine environmental impact.”

For Emily, the minerals sector is not only essential to modern life but also central to creating the infrastructure needed for a lower-carbon future.

Championing Women in Engineering

Emily is passionate about encouraging more women to consider careers in engineering.

Working in what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry has strengthened her determination to challenge outdated stereotypes and demonstrate that engineering careers are open to everyone.

“Being able to contribute technically, challenge outdated stereotypes and demonstrate that engineering and leadership roles are open to everyone is something I am extremely proud of.”

She hopes that by sharing her own experiences, more young women will feel confident exploring careers they may never have previously considered.

Inspiring Future Engineers

Emily recently represented Heidelberg Materials at the Penwortham Girls STEM Careers Carousel, introducing students to careers within the minerals and construction materials sector.

Throughout the event she shared her own career journey, explained what chemical engineering involves and offered practical advice on CVs, skills and career pathways.

The experience was particularly meaningful because it gave her the opportunity to engage directly with female students and challenge perceptions about engineering careers.

“Many students had never even heard of chemical engineering before. Inspiring them to consider a degree or career path they may never have known existed was a real highlight.”

Looking Beyond the Stereotypes

Reflecting on her career so far, Emily believes one of the biggest barriers facing the sector is awareness.

Growing up, mining and minerals simply weren’t presented as exciting career options, despite underpinning almost every aspect of modern life.

By sharing her own journey, Emily hopes to help change perceptions, showcase the exciting opportunities available and encourage more young people to explore careers within engineering, manufacturing and the minerals sector.

As she puts it:

“I’m glad I looked beyond the stereotypes because I’ve found a career that is both technically fascinating and genuinely important to building a more sustainable future.”