Kimberly-Clark, the parent company and international manufacturer for Andrex and Kleenex, has signed an agreement with Carlton Power to supply green hydrogen to the company’s manufacturing facility at Barrow-in-Furness.
The partnership will support the development of Carlton’s proposed Barrow Green Hydrogen scheme in Cumbria, announced earlier this month, and reduce Kimberly-Clark’s reliance on natural gas as part of its global decarbonisation strategy.
The project will initially feature a 35-megawatt electrolyser, expected to produce approximately 3500 tonnes of hydrogen every year – reducing 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions that is equivalent to taking 580 trucks off UK roads annually.
The hydrogen will be produced by the electrolyser using electricity that is generated from sources of renewable energy, such as wind and solar power.
The construction of the Barrow Green Hydrogen project is dependent on securing financial support from the UK Government via its Hydrogen Investment Package (HIP), a multi-million-pound programme to encourage the growth of the hydrogen economy in the UK.
The £40million scheme is targeted to enter commercial operation in 2025.
Kimberly-Clark recently announced plans to decarbonise approximately 80% of its electricity supply through a Power Purchase Agreement, which will lead to the construction of a new onshore windfarm in Scotland that will start operating in early 2023.
“We are delighted to have entered a commercial agreement with Kimberly-Clark, who embrace the importance of green hydrogen in their operations at Barrow and potentially across their global operations,” said hydrogen projects director at Carlton Power, Eric Adams.
He added: “The development of green hydrogen projects like our Barrow hub is critical if major energy users, like Kimberly-Clark, are to decarbonise their operations.
“At a regional level, our scheme forms part of Cumbria’s Clean Energy Strategy. It’s a catalyst to establish a hydrogen economy and drive the decarbonisation of local industry.”
Also commenting on the renewable energy deal is vice president & managing director at Kimberly-Clark UK, Dan Howell, who said: “Green hydrogen is a significant next step in decarbonising our operations and delivering our ambition of 100% renewable energy by 2030 in the UK and Ireland.
“Kimberly Clark aims to lead the way on sustainability and deliver our purpose of Better Care for a Better World.”
