What Costain does

Costain Group PLC is a UK-headquartered engineering, construction, and digital infrastructure solutions provider operating across six sectors: Road, Rail, Integrated Transport, Energy, Water, and Defence & Nuclear Energy. Founded in 1865 and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LON:COST), the company rejoined the FTSE 250 index in March 2026 and reports approximately 3,500 employees with 600-900 chartered professionals. Its service offering is structured around three pillars — Shape and Create (consultancy, design, advisory), Deliver (construction, programme management), and Operate and Optimise — delivered through long-term frameworks with National Highways, Transport for London, Network Rail, regulated water utilities (Severn Trent, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Anglian Water, Southern Water), airport operators (Heathrow, Gatwick, MAG), ports (Dover Harbour Board), nuclear and defence clients (Sellafield, Nuclear Restoration Services, Babcock Devonport, MOD), and energy transition clients (Cadent, bp/Northern Endurance Partnership, Storengy UK, EnergyPathways).

Revenue is generated predominantly through fixed-price and framework-based infrastructure contracts recognised on input/output methods, with contract values ranging from £45m to over £1bn and a record £7bn order book as of May 2026 (a 30% increase in forward work position). Pricing is set through competitive tenders, framework call-offs, and direct appointments governed by NEC, JCT, or bespoke agreements, with multi-year billing cadences. Distinctive technology assets include the proprietary Carbon Design Tool (applied to Heathrow's baggage system for a 26% embodied carbon reduction), industrialised 3D concrete printing with Hyperion Robotics delivering 40% material and 50% carbon reductions on the East Coast Cluster, the ATRIS robotic tunnel installation system, and the Production Thinking methodology embedding modern methods of construction, lean techniques, and digital tools across delivery. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting Tier 1 government agencies and regulated utilities, with growth secured through repeat framework appointments, joint ventures (Mott MacDonald, MWH Treatment, Arup, A E Yates), and strategic account management.

Name

Costain

Legal name

Costain Group PLC

Website

https://costain.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1865

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Costain is a 160-year-old UK infrastructure solutions contractor delivering consulting, construction, and digital services across road, rail, integrated transport, energy, water, and defence and nuclear sectors for government and regulated utility clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Infrastructure Construction & Engineering Services

NAICS

Natural Gas Distribution (2212), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310), Natural Gas Distribution (22121), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Natural Gas Distribution (4924), Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial General Contracting (New Build) (IMAFAAAA)

Keywords

• Infrastructure construction
• Engineering consultancy
• Water utility services
• Transportation infrastructure
• Nuclear decommissioning

Headquarters

HQ city

Maidenhead

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Infrastructure Project Delivery: Costain generates the majority of its revenue through the design and construction of large-scale infrastructure projects across six sectors (Road, Rail, Integrated Transport, Energy, Water, Defence & Nuclear). Revenue is recognised from fixed-price construction contracts, measured using input/output methods depending on contract type. Major recent contracts include £122m West Winch housing road, £45m Severn Trent sewage treatment, £70m Trawsfynydd nuclear decommissioning, and up to £1bn Sellafield utilities framework.
2. Framework Agreements and Long-Term Contracts: Costain secures recurring revenue through multi-year framework agreements with major clients including Transport for London (£700m infrastructure framework), London Gatwick (civils and buildings frameworks), Dover Harbour Board (up to £235m Project Contractors Framework), Manchester Airports Group (long-term framework), Sellafield (15-year Infrastructure Delivery Partnership worth up to £2.9bn with Costain's utilities lot up to £1bn), and Southern Water CMDP+ (AMP8 wastewater framework). These frameworks provide secured pipeline and recurring engagement.
3. Consultancy and Advisory Services: Costain provides consultancy services across the project lifecycle including delivery partner services, engineering and design, and advisory and digital solutions. The company employs multi-sector experience to develop bespoke strategic programmes, optimise value, and reduce risk for customers. Digital transformation partnerships (e.g., Yorkshire Water JV with Arup) and technical advisory roles for government departments generate fee-based revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Costain is a UK infrastructure solutions provider delivering engineering, construction, consulting, and digital services across six sectors: Road, Rail, Integrated Transport, Energy, Water, and Defence and Nuclear Energy. The company operates through three service pillars (Shape and Create, Deliver, Operate and Optimise) and undertakes major projects for government agencies, regulated utilities, and enterprise clients under multi-year framework agreements and competitive tenders.

Product overview

Costain is a UK infrastructure solutions company offering engineering, construction, consulting, and digital services across six core sectors: Road, Rail, Integrated Transport, Energy, Water, and Defence and Nuclear Energy. The company operates through three service pillars: Shape and Create (consultancy, design, advisory), Deliver (construction, programme management), and Operate and Optimise. Key technology offerings include industrialised 3D concrete printing for sustainable construction, the Carbon Design Tool for emissions forecasting, and robotic tunnel installation systems. Costain delivers major infrastructure programmes for clients including National Highways, Network Rail, Transport for London, water companies, energy providers, and defence organisations, typically through long-term framework agreements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Road Services Delivers complex road schemes, renewals projects and maintenance services for the UK road network, including engineering-led consultancy, major scheme delivery, and value-enhancing road maintenance for National Highways, Transport for London and local authorities.
• Rail Services Supports rail infrastructure delivery including renewals and enhancements, station improvements (e.g., London Bridge), electrification, and HS2 high voltage power supply, plus strategic advisory to the Department for Transport.
• Integrated Transport Services Works across aviation, place and ports covering needs analysis, feasibility studies, business cases, design, commercial and programme management, and technology and construction services for airports, ports and local authorities.
• Energy Services Focuses on energy transition (hydrogen, CCUS), energy resilience (hydrocarbon infrastructure) and energy connectivity (gas distribution, electrical transmission). Provides advisory, technical expertise, and engineering services across the project lifecycle for clients including Cadent, National Grid, bp/NEP, EnergyPathways, and Storengy UK.
• Water Services Delivers strategic water programme delivery across the whole asset lifecycle, including multi-million pound AMP programmes covering combined sewer overflows, reservoirs, water treatment and capital maintenance works for UK water companies such as Severn Trent, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Anglian Water and Southern Water.
• Defence and Nuclear Energy Services Supports strategic defence capabilities and nuclear energy operations that protect and power the UK, including infrastructure delivery at sites like Devonport Dockyard and Sellafield decommissioning, utilities frameworks and high-hazard risk reduction.
• Keuper Gas Storage Project Design FEED design services for Storengy UK's Keuper Gas Storage Project (KGSP), an underground hydrogen storage facility near Northwich, Cheshire, comprising 19 salt caverns designed to store approximately 400 million cubic metres of hydrogen (1,300 GWh equivalent).
• Industrialised 3D Concrete Printing Proprietary industrialised 3D concrete printing technology in partnership with Hyperion Robotics, deployed on the East Coast Cluster on Teesside for the Northern Endurance Partnership's CO2 gathering system. Produces high-strength, low-carbon concrete pipe support bases that reduce concrete and steel use by 40% and lower carbon emissions by up to 50% compared with traditional precast solutions.
• Carbon Design Tool Proprietary carbon forecasting and design optimisation tool enabling project teams to forecast carbon hotspots at design stage and implement alternative construction methods or material substitutions. Applied to Heathrow Airport's baggage handling system achieving a 26% reduction in embodied carbon.
• ATRIS Robotic Tunnel Installation System Autonomous Tunnel Robotic Installation System (ATRIS) — a robotic and AI solution enabling automated installation of tunnel segments, improving safety and efficiency in constrained underground environments.
• Digital Transformation and Information Management (Yorkshire Water JV) Three-phase digital transformation service (discovery, demonstrator, pilot) creating an information management system using advanced technologies to streamline data collection, reduce manual errors, and enhance data integrity across capital project portfolios (delivered in JV with Arup for Yorkshire Water).
• Devonport Dockyard Infrastructure Delivery Partner Delivery partner services (JV with Mott MacDonald) for a programme of design and construction projects at Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth, setting the blueprint for development of the site to meet future needs of the UK Royal Navy.
• Production Thinking Methodology Costain methodology combining modern methods of construction (MMC) with new technologies and materials, lean techniques, digital tools and smart decision-making to boost productivity and efficiency across customer projects.
• Industrial Cooling Technique for Nitrifying Trickling Filters Application of industrial cooling techniques using polypropylene pack media and nitrifying bacteria to upgrade nitrifying trickling filter systems at wastewater treatment works (e.g., United Utilities Crewe), completing work 12 months ahead of schedule.

Quantifiable outcome

• 26% reduction in embodied carbon achieved on Heathrow Airport new baggage handling system using Carbon Design Tool
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• London Gatwick AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Costain awarded places on two framework contracts with London Gatwick Airport covering the Civils Framework and Buildings Framework for capital projects. The four-year frameworks (with option to extend by two years) will deliver multiple design and construction projects both airside and landside. The award builds on Costain's existing relationship where it previously led the £249M redevelopment of the airport's railway station, representing expansion of the company's growing position in the UK aviation sector.
• Transport for London (TfL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Amey, Costain and Dragados appointed to Transport for London's new £700m infrastructure improvement framework (£840m including VAT). The framework covers construction, design and build services across London from June 2025 to June 2028 with options for two further year extensions. Six bidders participated in the final stage. Work includes station upgrades and step-free access improvements across the TfL network.
• Hyperion RoboticscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2026Costain partnered with Hyperion Robotics to deploy industrialised 3D concrete printing on the East Coast Cluster on Teesside as part of the Northern Endurance Partnership's CO2 gathering system. The partnership produces 90 high-strength, low-carbon concrete pipe support bases using robotic 3D printing along 1.3km of onshore CO2 pipelines. The technology reduces concrete and steel use by 40% and lowers carbon emissions by up to 50% compared with traditional precast solutions. The structures are up to ten times stronger and weigh 60% less than conventionally produced equivalents.
• Dover Harbour BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026Costain selected by Dover Harbour Board to deliver critical utilities upgrades at the Port of Dover under a Project Contractors Framework worth up to £235m over six years. Costain awarded Lot 1 covering refurbishment and replacement of essential utilities distribution systems with a focus on asset value and decarbonisation. The framework supports Dover Harbour Board's 2050 Masterplan, enhancing the port's capacity for international trade and travel while creating jobs and developing skills.
• A E YatesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2026Costain and A E Yates jointly deployed Hyperion Robotics' 3D printed concrete pipe support bases for the Northern Endurance Partnership's onshore CO2 gathering system on Teesside. Approximately 90 concrete sleepers produced along 1.3km of onshore CO2 pipelines using robotic 3D printing. The collaboration delivers the concrete elements as part of the CO2 pipeline construction.
• Manchester Airports GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Costain appointed to a long-term framework with Manchester Airports Group (MAG) covering biodiversity studies and infrastructure delivery support. Costain selected to conduct two biodiversity studies at Manchester Airport and East Midlands Airport to develop comprehensive biodiversity baselines, supporting delivery of MAG's nature targets outlined in its Sustainability Strategy.
• Police Federation of England and Wales / National Police Chiefs' Council / National HighwaysminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2026Costain partnered with the Police Federation of England and Wales, the National Police Chiefs' Council, and National Highways to raise awareness of risks associated with emergency vehicles entering restricted roadworks areas. The collaboration produced an awareness video for police drivers highlighting safety protocols and risks to roadworkers within traffic management areas, aligning with National Highways' road safety vision and Costain's commitment to eliminating harm in road construction environments.
• Heathrow Airport (H7 Framework Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2026Costain appointed to deliver Terminal 2 baggage infrastructure under Heathrow's H7 Framework Alliance as part of a £1.3bn capital investment programme. The baggage handling system under the H7 Alliance is capable of processing 31,000 bags daily. Costain is delivering the infrastructure while maintaining full airport operations during construction, supporting the airport's Decade of Change sustainability strategy.
• Arup (Joint Venture partner)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2025Costain in joint venture with Arup delivering a digital transformation strategy for Yorkshire Water to modernise capital project information management ahead of the AMP8 investment programme (2025-2030). The JV implemented a three-phase approach (discovery, demonstrator, pilot) creating an information management system using advanced technologies. Future plans include investment in training programmes to develop employee data literacy and analytical skills across Yorkshire Water's project portfolio.
• Sellafield LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 October 2025Three contractors (Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Costain, and Hochtief) appointed to deliver up to £2.9bn of non-nuclear infrastructure work at the Sellafield nuclear site in west Cumbria under the 15-year Infrastructure Delivery Partnership (IDP). Costain won the utilities lot worth up to £1bn, covering refurbishment and replacement of utility distribution systems. The IDP replaces the existing Infrastructure Strategic Alliance and consolidates infrastructure delivery under long-term partners supporting decommissioning programmes.
• EnergyPathwayscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025Costain part of development consortium for EnergyPathways' MESH (Marram Energy Storage Hub) project, Britain's largest integrated energy storage facility. MESH combines compressed air electrical storage (300 MW/55 GWh) with natural gas and hydrogen storage using up to 60 salt caverns in the East Irish Sea. The project was designated national significance by the Secretary of State. The consortium includes Siemens Energy, Wood plc, KBR Inc, and Hazer Group. Final Investment Decision targeted for 2028 with start-up by late 2031.
• Storengy UKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2025Costain selected by Storengy UK to design the Keuper Gas Storage Project (KGSP), an underground hydrogen storage facility in Northwich, Cheshire. The facility will consist of 19 salt caverns storing approximately 400 million cubic metres of hydrogen (equivalent to 1,300 GWh). Costain delivering two FEED contracts covering solution mining and gas storage facilities, with work expected to complete in 2026 and inform Storengy UK's Final Investment Decision.
• Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2025Costain appointed as one of 43 suppliers on DESNZ's £250m Energy and Net Zero Professional Services Framework covering seven sectors including nuclear, renewables, hydrogen, heat networks, oil and gas, emerging technologies, and industrial transformation. The 24-month framework (extendable to 48 months) enables DESNZ and partner organisations to engage consultancies for advice on clean energy transition and decarbonisation of high-polluting sectors.
• ArcominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCostain enhanced its PPE and workwear catalogue in partnership with supplier Arco, adding more than 150 inclusive and sustainable items for its workforce. The partnership includes lace-free safety boots, breathable fabrics, and customisable PPE for people with limb differences, alongside sustainable items using recycled materials with lower water and energy footprints. Arco serves as the primary PPE supplier to Costain.
• Achilles BuildingConfidenceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCostain uses the Achilles BuildingConfidence accreditation scheme as its preferred route for supply chain pre-qualification. The scheme assesses supplier competence and capability. Costain also accepts all recognised Common Assessment Standard (CAS) bodies and their associated accreditation schemes for supply chain management.
• Mott MacDonald (Joint Venture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCostain and Mott MacDonald joint venture awarded Babcock infrastructure delivery partner role at Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth. The JV acts as delivery partner for a programme of design and construction projects, setting the blueprint for how the site will be developed to meet the future needs of the UK Royal Navy. The partnership was established in 2021 and continues to grow.
• Strategic Pipeline Alliance (Anglian Water)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCostain part of the Strategic Pipeline Alliance delivering 260km of new pipeline for Anglian Water to boost drought resilience in one of the driest parts of England. This is one of the largest water infrastructure projects in the UK and represents a major long-term programme partnership.
• Northern Endurance Partnership (bp-operated)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCostain awarded the onshore FEED contract for the East Coast Cluster carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) project for the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP), operated by bp. Costain designs the onshore CO2 gathering pipeline and new grid connection for the gas power station on Teesside. NEP is one of the UK's major CCUS clusters.
• Southern Water (CMDP+ Joint Venture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCostain in joint venture with MWH Treatment (CMDP+) delivering Southern Water's AMP8 wastewater portfolio, representing a record level of investment in water and wastewater infrastructure. The JV embeds production thinking principles combining MMC with new technologies, lean techniques, and digital tools to deliver essential improvements to water infrastructure for millions of Southern Water customers.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Balfour Beatty: UK-listed infrastructure group with comparable transport, water, energy, and defence delivery capability. Balfour Beatty competes directly on road, rail, and water frameworks, and is a direct talent competitor (Peter Mumford joined Costain from Balfour Beatty).
• Morgan Sindall Group: UK construction and infrastructure group competing directly on road, water, and nuclear frameworks; partners with Costain on the Sellafield IDP. Overlapping divisions in construction & infrastructure make it a closest-in-scope comparable.
• Skanska: Swedish-headquartered infrastructure group with significant UK operations. Costain's Transportation MD Jonathan Willcock joined from Skanska, signalling direct competition for UK transport and civils talent and contracts.
• Kier Group: UK-listed infrastructure and construction group with overlapping transport, water, and energy framework positions. Competes directly on road schemes, AMP water programmes, and public sector infrastructure contracts.
• Hochtief: German-headquartered international construction group; the third partner alongside Costain and Morgan Sindall on the £2.9bn Sellafield IDP. Direct nuclear infrastructure peer with similar high-hazard delivery profile.
• Mott MacDonald: Global engineering consultancy and JV partner with Costain at Babcock Devonport Dockyard. Competes in consultancy/design and partner roles on major UK infrastructure programmes; combines consulting depth with Costain's delivery capability.
• Amey: UK infrastructure services and consulting group; JV partner with Costain on the TfL £700m framework and competing peer across roads, rail, and public infrastructure. Overlapping capability set with Costain's Integrated Transport and Roads divisions.
• Mace Group: UK construction and consultancy group with comparable infrastructure and aviation sector exposure. Competes on transport, aviation capex (similar to Heathrow/Gatwick scope), and major programme delivery.

Emerging players

• Atkins (SNC-Lavalin / AtkinsRéalis): Global engineering services and project management firm with major UK infrastructure presence. Competes in design, advisory, and programme management roles on transport, nuclear, and defence programmes.
• WSP: Global engineering professional services firm with significant UK transport, water, and environmental advisory exposure. Competes primarily on consultancy and design phases where Costain's Shape and Create pillar also operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/costaingroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/costaingroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/costain

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A6 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Costain