UK manufacturers getting Fit For hydrogen and carbon capture

Thirty UK manufacturing companies are starting a new programme to test and develop their capabilities to supply hydrogen production and carbon capture markets.

The site for H2H Saltend, one of the world’s first full-scale low-carbon hydrogen production plants, and a core part of Zero Carbon Humber. The project will support the construction of a pipeline network connecting to industrial sites and gas and biomass power stations throughout the Humber, enabling them to capture their carbon dioxide emissions and switch to low-carbon hydrogen power
The site for H2H Saltend, one of the world’s first full-scale low-carbon hydrogen production plants, and a core part of Zero Carbon Humber. The project will support the construction of a pipeline network connecting to industrial sites and gas and biomass power stations throughout the Humber, enabling them to capture their carbon dioxide emissions and switch to low-carbon hydrogen power - ZCH Saltend

In the year-long pilot programme for the Zero Carbon Humber Partnership, the companies will work towards the Fit For Hydrogen (F4H2) and Fit For Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (F4CCUS) standards.

Zero Carbon Humber involves 14 partners aiming to decarbonise the UK’s most carbon intensive region and transform the Humber into the world’s first net zero industrial region by 2040.

F4H2 and F4CCUS are managed by the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC), part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, based on its Fit For model of supplier development.

“Our Fit For model of supply chain development has proven its value in helping companies develop their capabilities to win work in demanding energy sectors,” said Stephen Kinsey, supply chain programme manager at the Nuclear AMRC. “As with other quality-critical sectors, it’s vital that companies wanting to enter the supply chain for hydrogen and carbon capture understand the specific requirements of their potential customers and can demonstrate high standards of quality management and performance across their business.”

The pilot phase will see 30 companies progress through F4H2 and F4CCUS, beginning in November 2022 and running until December 2023. The programme will combine assessment against a variety of business excellence measures with sector-specific assessment and development activities. The Nuclear AMRC’s industrial advisors will work with the companies to help them close gaps in their capabilities or performance.

The companies were selected from over 90 companies which registered their interest in joining the pilot over the summer.

Ian Livingston, from Zero Carbon Humber, said: “Hydrogen offers a low carbon, scalable fuel source that has the potential to decarbonise major industrial clusters, such as the Humber. We are delighted to see steps being taken to test and develop the capabilities of UK companies to supply the growing hydrogen and carbon capture markets.

“Building these capabilities has never been more important. At Zero Carbon Humber, alongside our East Coast Cluster colleagues, we are currently establishing the key infrastructure to capture millions of tonnes of CO2 emissions per year and will significantly contribute to the supply of low carbon hydrogen across the Humber in the coming decade.”