Metec Cathodic Protection Secures £360k to Scale Marine Corrosion Solutions

South Shields based manufacturing firm Metec Cathodic Protection Limited has completed a new equity funding round, raising £360,000 to support its continued expansion in the offshore and marine supply chain. The allotment, finalised on 20 March 2026 and filed today, brings the company to an estimated post-money valuation of £1.56m.

Founded in July 2016, Metec Cathodic Protection specialises in the design and manufacture of sacrificial anodes and cathodic protection systems. These critical hardware components are deployed to prevent the structural corrosion of subsea and marine infrastructure. Sacrificial anodes are highly active metals that are more easily oxidised than the metal of the structure they are protecting. By drawing the corrosion away from the primary steel structures of wind turbine foundations, oil rigs, and ship hulls, these systems significantly extend the operational lifespan of valuable marine assets and reduce the need for expensive subsea maintenance.

The company primarily serves the offshore wind, oil and gas, and wider maritime industries, providing essential protection for assets operating in harsh saltwater environments. The business has established itself as a key supplier within the European renewables market, manufacturing components for major infrastructure projects including the Dogger Bank Wind Farm.

Operating from its South Tyneside foundry, the company currently employs 32 staff according to its latest corporate accounts. Recent regional reports indicate that Metec has experienced a period of significant commercial growth, with annual turnover reaching approximately £12.5m following a series of international contract wins across Poland, Norway, and Ireland.

This latest £360,000 capital injection arrives at a time of heightened focus on the domestic supply chain for offshore energy and maritime infrastructure. The UK government has recently accelerated its support for the sector, launching the £300m Great British Energy Supply Chain Fund in December 2025 to build domestic manufacturing capacity for constrained components in the offshore wind sector. Furthermore, the broader maritime industry is currently benefiting from the £448m UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions programme, which aims to modernise port infrastructure and support clean maritime innovation.

The North East of England has increasingly become a central hub for the UK offshore wind supply chain, leveraging its historical maritime and heavy engineering expertise. Metec's growth aligns with regional economic strategies aimed at creating skilled industrial jobs in coastal communities. The company has previously engaged with local initiatives, such as the South Tyneside Pledge, to localise its own supply chain and subcontract work to other regional engineering firms.

For Metec Cathodic Protection, this funding round provides additional working capital to service its growing European order book and maintain its manufacturing output. While the specific investors in this round remain undisclosed, the £1.56m estimated valuation reflects the pricing of the newly allotted shares.

As offshore wind capacity continues to expand across the North Sea and European waters, the demand for foundational subsea components like sacrificial anodes is expected to rise. Metec's established manufacturing footprint in the North East positions the company to capitalise on this ongoing infrastructure investment, ensuring that critical corrosion protection hardware remains available to developers scaling the next generation of offshore energy projects.