United Kingdom: Andrex's massive tissue manufacturing plant in Barrow, producing a billion units, joins a £125 million green hydrogen venture across two sites.
Kimberly-Clark Investing £125 Million in Green Hydrogen Projects
Kimberly-Clark UK & Ireland, the manufacturer of popular brands such as Andrex and Kleenex, has announced a significant investment of over £125 million ($169 million) in green hydrogen projects. These initiatives aim to decarbonize the company's manufacturing operations at two sites: Barrow-in-Furness and Northfleet.
The Barrow facility is expected to produce 100 GWh of green hydrogen annually, while the Northfleet facility will supply around 47 GWh. These hydrogen projects are projected to cut Kimberly-Clark’s carbon emissions by approximately 28,500 tonnes per year, equivalent to removing about 20,000 petrol cars from the roads.
The UK government is supporting these green hydrogen projects with funding from the Hydrogen Production Business Model (HPBM) and Net Zero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF), as part of its broader hydrogen strategy aiming to build over 10 GW of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030. Both projects received planning approvals, with Barrow receiving approval in June 2023 and Northfleet in August 2024.
The Barrow Green Hydrogen project has already secured local planning consent and has been supplying green power to Kimberly-Clark's operations since it was commissioned. The hydrogen initiatives align with the UK government's efforts to roll out hydrogen at scale and cut industrial emissions.
Through the investment, Kimberly-Clark expects to see a 50% reduction in natural gas consumption across its UK production lines from 2027. These hydrogen initiatives will also help Kimberly-Clark meet its sustainability ambitions, including moving its UK manufacturing operations to 100% renewable energy by 2030.
The projects will decarbonise the production of toilet and facial tissues by directly replacing fossil-fuel natural gas used for steam generation. The investment also includes two long-term offtaker hydrogen supply agreements with energy partners Carlton Power and HYRO for the installation of green hydrogen facilities next to the Barrow and Kent plants.
This project marks Kimberly-Clark as the first UK consumer goods manufacturer to adopt green hydrogen at scale, demonstrating leadership in industrial decarbonization. The hydrogen projects will contribute to the UK government's plan for industrial renewal by creating thousands of jobs in industrial heartlands.
This investment follows Kimberly-Clark's previous announcement in September 2023 of a power purchase agreement supporting the opening of a new £75m onshore wind farm in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Dan Howell, vice president and managing director at Kimberly-Clark UK & Ireland, stated that the investment aligns with the company's ambition to move its UK manufacturing operations to 100% renewable energy by 2030.
| Aspect | Details | |---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | Investment | Over £125 million (~$169 million) | | Facilities | Barrow-in-Furness (100 GWh/yr), Northfleet (47 GWh/yr) | | Operational Start | Expected from 2027 | | Natural Gas Reduction | 50% reduction in UK natural gas use | | Carbon Emission Reduction | 28,500 tonnes CO2 annually | | Government Support | Hydrogen Production Business Model, Net Zero Hydrogen Fund, HAR1 | | Strategic Importance | Aligns with UK hydrogen strategy for low-carbon energy |
- Kimberly-Clark's investment of over £125 million in green hydrogen projects is a significant step towards meeting its sustainability ambitions, as it aims to move its UK manufacturing operations to 100% renewable energy by 2030.
- The Barrow and Northfleet facilities, set to produce 100 GWh and 47 GWh of green hydrogen annually respectively, are expected to cut Kimberly-Clark’s carbon emissions by approximately 28,500 tonnes per year.
- The UK government supports such green hydrogen projects as part of its broader hydrogen strategy, aiming to build over 10 GW of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030, and provides funding through the Hydrogen Production Business Model, Net Zero Hydrogen Fund, and HAR1.
- Science plays a crucial role in these renewable-energy projects, as green hydrogen is produced using electrolysis powered by renewable energy, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions and addressing climate-change concerns.
- These hydrogen initiatives not only benefit the environment by decarbonizing the production of toilet and facial tissues but also contribute to the UK government's plan for industrial renewal by creating thousands of jobs in environmental-science and industry sectors, fostering business growth in the finance and energy sectors.
