Kimberly-Clark Spends Over $165 Million on Eco-friendly Manufacturing Transition using Green Hydrogen
Kimberly-Clark UK & Ireland Invests £125 Million in Green Hydrogen Projects
Kimberly-Clark UK & Ireland is making a significant move towards a greener future with the investment of over £125 million in green hydrogen infrastructure projects at its manufacturing sites in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and Northfleet, Kent.
The projects, developed in partnership with Carlton Power and HYRO (a joint venture between Octopus Energy Generation and RES), are part of the UK government's Plan for Change and aim to roll out hydrogen at scale for the first time.
The Barrow project, located next to the existing plant, is projected to deliver 100 GWh of green hydrogen annually. Meanwhile, the Northfleet facility, situated on-site, is anticipated to supply 47 GWh of green hydrogen annually. Combined, these projects are projected to reduce carbon emissions by 28,500 tonnes per year, equivalent to removing approximately 20,000 petrol cars from the road each year.
These investments will enable a 50% reduction in Kimberly-Clark's natural gas consumption from 2027 onwards. Green hydrogen, generated via electrolysis using renewable energy sources, will replace natural gas used for steam generation at the sites.
The new infrastructure aligns with Kimberly-Clark’s strategic goals, aiming to run all UK manufacturing on 100% renewable energy by 2030. The company remains committed to halving its global Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.
Planning approval has been secured for each facility, with Barrow receiving consent in June 2023 and Northfleet in August 2024. The UK Minister for Industry, Sarah Jones, stated that the projects will help cut industrial emissions and support Britain's industrial renewal.
These green hydrogen projects are significant as they mark one of the first large-scale green hydrogen adoption efforts in the UK consumer goods manufacturing sector. They are expected to decarbonize industrial operations and advance national clean energy objectives.
Kimberly-Clark UK & Ireland, a manufacturer of household brands like Andrex and Kleenex, has signed long-term offtaker agreements for green hydrogen. The company continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio across Europe and Africa.
In addition to these projects, Kimberly-Clark has signed a 2023 power purchase agreement tied to a £75 million onshore wind farm in Scotland. These initiatives are key components in Kimberly-Clark's strategy to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions by over 80% in the UK by 2027 versus a 2015 baseline.
[1] Kimberly-Clark UK & Ireland Press Release: https://www.kimberly-clark.com/news/press-releases/2023/kcm-announces-green-hydrogen-investment-in-the-uk.html [2] UK Government Press Release: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/kimberly-clark-to-invest-in-green-hydrogen-projects-in-the-uk [3] HYRO Press Release: https://www.hyro.energy/news/kimberly-clark-selects-hyro-for-green-hydrogen-projects-in-the-uk [4] Carlton Power Press Release: https://www.carltonpower.com/news/kimberly-clark-selects-carlton-power-to-develop-green-hydrogen-projects-in-the-uk/
- Kimberly-Clark UK & Ireland's investment in green hydrogen projects aligns with the company's strategic goals, aiming to run all UK manufacturing on 100% renewable energy by 2030.
- The UK government's Plan for Change, with its focus on climate-change mitigation, has led to the development of large-scale green hydrogen adoption efforts in the UK, such as those undertaken by Kimberly-Clark.
- Businesses like Kimberly-Clark, with its household brands like Andrex and Kleenex, are increasingly investing in renewable-energy sources and projects like green hydrogen to meet environmental-science objectives and reduce carbon emissions.
- Financing for green hydrogen projects, like those carried out by Kimberly-Clark UK & Ireland, is critical for industries to transition towards cleaner, renewable energy, helping in business growth while ensuring a sustainable environment.
