Kimberly-Clark Invests £125 Million in Green Hydrogen Projects in the UK
UK-based Hydrogen Collaborations Announced by Kimberly-Clark - A €144.3 million joint investment commitment
Kimberly-Clark, the multinational personal care corporation, is investing over £125 million in green hydrogen projects at two of its UK production sites—Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and Northfleet, Kent—to reduce carbon emissions and replace natural gas in manufacturing consumer brands like Andrex and Kleenex.
The projects, which have received funding support from the UK government's Hydrogen Production Business Model (HPBM) and Net Zero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF), aim to halve natural gas consumption in UK operations starting from 2027. This will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 28,500 tonnes annually.
The Barrow hydrogen project, which received planning permission in August 2024, will supply 100GWh of hydrogen per annum, while the Northfleet project, which received local planning consent in June 2023, will supply 47GWh per annum. Together, the two sites produce nearly one billion Andrex toilet rolls and more than 150 million boxes of Kleenex tissues annually.
Kimberly-Clark is collaborating with energy partners HYRO, Carlton Power, and Schroders Greencoat on these projects. The green hydrogen will be used to produce the aforementioned products, replacing fossil fuel energy sources.
These initiatives are part of the UK government's efforts to cut industrial emissions and support industrial renewal, creating thousands of jobs. They contribute to Kimberly-Clark’s broader goal of a 50% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2015 levels.
The projects are among the UK's first large-scale green hydrogen consumer goods applications. They will contribute to the creation of over 700 jobs across the hydrogen project wave with apprenticeships and skilled roles in engineering and construction.
Sarah Jones, the UK minister for industry, stated that ten hydrogen projects are now ready to start powering businesses with clean energy. Dan Howell, vice president and managing director of Kimberly-Clark UK & Ireland, expressed excitement about the potential of green hydrogen to improve energy supply and decarbonisation needs.
The combined investment for the hydrogen projects in the UK is €144.3 million. A green hydrogen facility will be installed next to Kimberly-Clark's Barrow plant, and a separate facility will be built on Kimberly-Clark's Northfleet plant. The initiative builds on the investments and progress Kimberly-Clark has already made with innovative technologies for its business, consumers, and customers.
[1] Kimberly-Clark press release, "Kimberly-Clark to Invest Over £125 Million in Green Hydrogen Projects in the UK", September 15, 2023. [2] UK Government press release, "UK Government Announces Funding for Ten Hydrogen Projects", September 15, 2023. [3] HYRO press release, "HYRO to Collaborate with Kimberly-Clark on Green Hydrogen Projects", September 15, 2023. [4] Carlton Power press release, "Carlton Power Receives Planning Consent for Barrow Green Hydrogen Project", June 1, 2023. [5] Northfleet paper mill planning permission, August 2024.
- Kimberly-Clark, a multinational corporation in the personal care industry, is investing £125 million in green hydrogen projects as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and switch from natural gas in manufacturing.
- The UK government's Hydrogen Production Business Model (HPBM) and Net Zero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF) have provided funding support for these green hydrogen projects at Kimberly-Clark's production sites in Barrow-in-Furness and Northfleet.
- The green hydrogen from these projects will be used to produce consumer brands like Andrex and Kleenex, replacing fossil fuel energy sources and contributing to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by about 28,500 tonnes annually.
- In the realm of environmental science and renewable energy, these projects are a significant step towards the UK government's goal of cutting industrial emissions and supporting industrial renewal, creating thousands of jobs.
- Kimberly-Clark is collaborating with energy partners HYRO, Carlton Power, and Schroders Greencoat on these projects, aligning with its goal of a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2015 levels.
