News from the 29th July - 5th August 2022

Octopus Energy launches 1000-turbine UK repowering plan

Octopus Energy Generation is partnering with turbine manufacturer EWT to repower up to 1000 existing onshore wind turbines in the UK to help boost energy security.

The older wind turbines Octopus and EWT identified across England, Scotland and Wales, have already been powering communities for years.

In total the UK has approximately 9,000 onshore wind turbines, Octopus said

https://www.renews.biz/79541/octopus-energy-launches-1000-turbine-uk-repowering-plan/

Associated British Ports targets manufacturing and logistics development for 95-acre Newport sites

The UK’s leading ports group, Associated British Ports (ABP), has launched two development sites at Newport to support around 95 acres of regeneration.

Since the beginning of the year, ABP has made close to 600 acres of land available to the market as part of its ongoing port-centric manufacturing initiative.

The Atlantic and West Way Road sites at the Port of Newport comprise 73 and 22 acres respectively.

https://www.abports.co.uk/news-and-media/latest-news/2022/associated-british-ports-targets-manufacturing-and-logistics-development-for-95-acre-newport-sites/

Pilgrim’s UK invests £10m into sustainability

Pilgrim’s UK, the British food business and pork producer, is to invest over £10m into sustainability projects over the next 12 months.

The funding will support the roll out of a series of process innovations and operational improvements to help the business on its net zero roadmap, the company revealed. Upgrades include completing the transition to LED lighting across all of its sites and swapping equipment with more energy efficient alternatives, such as heat pumps in place of gas boilers and optimised refrigeration systems.

https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2022/08/01/Pilgrim-UK-invests-10m-into-sustainability

News from the 22nd - 29th July 2022

British Indian spice firm acquired by UK’s Premier Foods

The Spice Tailor, an award-winning Indian spice company created a decade ago by a British Indian couple, is to be acquired by UK manufacturer Premier Foods for an initial understanding of £43.8m.

Premier Foods, which owns several iconic food brands including producing Cadbury cakes under licence, said the acquisition of the company known for its premium and authentic Indian meal kits is aligned with the company’s growth strategy. The Spice Tailor has the stated mission to bring real Indian food into the homes of people around the world

https://www.businesstoday.in/business/story/british-indian-spice-firm-acquired-by-uks-premier-foods-342805-2022-07-26

Carbon capture could be worth £100bn to UK economy by 2050

Carbon capture and storage could be worth £100bn to local UK manufacturing employers, a new industry report has revealed.

According to the Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) report, supply chain companies in the UK offshore oil and gas sector are in prime position to win work in carbon capture and storage (CCS) if urgent action is taken by governments and industry.

https://oeuk.org.uk/product/ccs-supply-chain-report/

Ibstock’s interim results show “healthy improvement” for UK brick manufacturer

UK brick manufacturer Ibstock’s interim results showed strength in the face of industry-wide inflation and supply-chain issues.
Underlying earnings increased 29% to £71m, while earnings per share (EPS) rose 43% to 11.3p.

Interim dividends increased by 32% to 3.3p, representing a yield of 1.8% against the current share price of 182.5p.

Net debt was £36m at the end of the interim period, representing a six-month reduction of 33%.

https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/988506/ibstock-s-interim-results-show-healthy-improvement-for-uk-brick-manufacturer-988506.html

News from the 15th - 22nd July 2022

Nissan’s solar power project acquired by UK fund in £10.6m deal

A UK fund has acquired Nissan’s latest solar power project in a £10.6m deal that will see the car maker purchase power generated over a 20-year agreement.

Atrato Onsite Energy, a specialist fund set up last year to focus on rooftop solar power installations, announced the deal to its shareholders saying it would take over the building of 20MW ground-mounted system that will eventually comprise about 37,000 solar panels.

The project is a major part of Nissan’s EV36Zero strategy to ramp up production of electric vehicles and is expected to create about 20% of the power needed for the Sunderland plant.

https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/nissans-solar-power-project-acquired-24525997

Aerospace Growth Partnership launches Destination Net Zero strategy

The new AGP Strategy, Destination Net Zero, launched at the Farnborough International Airshow 2022, sets out how UK aerospace will work towards reducing the climate impact of aviation and secure the UK’s position as a world leader for the next era of flight.

This will be achieved through innovation and collaboration across research and development, design and manufacturing value chains, and a plan of action to ensure an appropriately skilled workforce. The strategy is underpinned by a joint industry and government commitment to achieve Net Zero UK aviation by 2050.

https://www.aero-mag.com/aerospace-growth-partnership-launches-destination-net-zero-strategy

UK’s first magnet refinery given huge financial boost as first ever strategy for supply of critical minerals published

A multi-million pound investment in the UK’s first-ever magnet materials refiner was launched today (Friday 22 July 2022) – securing hundreds of jobs in East Yorkshire, and a strong foothold for Britain in the international market.

This comes as the government publishes the UK’s first ever ‘Critical Minerals Strategy’ to bolster the resilience of supply chains and seize on the economic opportunities of growing industries, such as electric vehicle manufacturing and offshore wind.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uks-first-magnet-refinery-given-huge-financial-boost-as-first-ever-strategy-for-supply-of-critical-minerals-published#:~:text=Manufacturing-,UK's%20first%20magnet%20refinery%20given%20huge%20financial%20boost%20as%20first,launches%20alongside%20Critical%20Minerals%20Strategy.

News from the 8th - 15th July 2022

Eco-friendly recycling truck goes on trial in St Albans District

An eco-friendly recycling vehicle with high-tech safety equipment has gone on trial in St Albans District.

The eCollect is an all-electric refuse collection vehicle, an emissions free alternative to conventional diesel-powered trucks.

St Albans City and District Council and its waste contractor Veolia have been testing the vehicle which has been designed to be cost-efficient, improve local air quality by reducing emissions and help the Council towards its target of carbon neutrality by 2030.

The eCollect can take 20 tonnes of waste on board during an eight-hour shift before it needs recharging which can be done overnight

https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/news/eco-friendly-recycling-truck-goes-trial-st-albans-district

UK automotive manufacturing carbon footprint falls to lowest ever level

The UK automotive industry’s production carbon footprint fell by 11.2% in 2021 compared with the previous year to reach its lowest level since records began, according to new research from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

SMMT’s latest annual Sustainability Report, now in its 23rd year, shows that automotive production and the supply chain emitted 81,095 fewer tonnes of CO2 in 2021 compared with the previous year. Average vehicle CO2 emissions meanwhile, were 11.2% less than their 2020 equivalents. Given the average car on UK’s roads is now nine years old, this carbon tonnage saving from production is the equivalent of taking 225,000 of these cars off the road and replacing them with the latest models. Since 1999, the industry has cut its CO2 emissions by 1.5 million tonnes or -70.6% – equivalent to taking almost 900,000 cars off the road.

https://www.smmt.co.uk/2022/07/uk-automotive-manufacturing-carbon-footprint-falls-to-lowest-ever-level/

Britain’s manufacturers leading the way when it comes to decarbonizing

Britain’s manufacturers are leading the charge towards net zero and decarbonising their businesses as the sector moves to slash greenhouse gas emissions, cut energy use and switch to renewable and sustainable energy sources, a new report suggests.

According to the new Make UK report, produced in partnership with Siemens, manufacturers have moved the decarbonisation of their businesses up the priority ladder despite unprecedented economic challenges, with eight in ten companies saying it is now of high or medium importance.

https://makeuk.org/insights/reports/decarbonising-manufacturing-challenges-and-opportunities

News from the 1st - 8th July 2022

Rolls-Royce reveals site shortlist for first small nuclear reactor factory

Rolls-Royce has revealed six potential sites that could become home to its new £200m small modular reactor (SMR) factory in the UK. The shortlist includes Deeside, Richmond, Sunderland, Stallingborough, Ferrybridge and Carlisle.

https://cbnc.com/rolls-royce-reveals-site-shortlist-for-first-small-nuclear-reactor-factory/

Leeds-based manufacturer expands across the pond to Canadian market

Leeds-based JT, a leading shower tray manufacturer, has made the journey across the pond, with further expansion into the Canadian market.

Having invested heavily in research on North America, JT is working alongside a strategic partner to deliver quality and innovation to Canada’s shower tray market. JT becomes the only UK exporter in the industry to break into Canada, with a tray specifically manufactured for the market.

The announcement follows on from the business’ success in Europe and will also provide great news for the Leeds job market, with the addition of 30 new roles within its factory and the dedicated global sales and contact centre division.

https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2022/07/04/leeds-based-manufacture-expands-across-the-pond-delivering-to-canadian-market

Decorating specialist to trade on British manufacturing heritage and expertise with new range

East Yorkshire-based decorating products producer Bartoline has launched a new over-the-counter trade range as it seeks to maximise its UK manufacturing advantage.

The 1876 The Professional Range plays on the Beverley firm’s heritage, referencing the founding date, while underlining the product development expertise and production capability that has gone into creating the reformulated lines.

It is described as a comprehensive suite of professional quality decorating supplies with an initial 32 products across white spirits, powder fillers, ready-mix filler, plaster skim, wallpaper adhesives, caulk, adhesives, and sanitary and frame sealants.

https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/decorating-specialist-trade-british-manufacturing-24389410

News from the 27th June- 1st July 2022

Renishaw announces investment of over £50 million for UK manufacturing site

Global engineering company, Renishaw, is to invest over £50 million at its Miskin site in South Wales to increase manufacturing capacity and to help meet its Net Zero emissions targets. This will see 400,000 sq ft (37,000 sq metres) of additional low carbon buildings created at the 193-acre site to the west of Cardiff, consisting of two new production halls and an employee welfare facility. The existing production halls will also be refurbished to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Planning permission for the detailed plans to almost double the footprint of the site, which was acquired by Renishaw in 2011 and currently accommodates 650 employees, was granted by the Vale of Glamorgan Council last year. With the company continuing to see strong business growth and have confidence in its long-term prospects, those plans will now be realised.

https://www.renishaw.com/en/renishaw-announces-investment-of-over-gbps50-million-for-uk-manufacturing-site--47440

Equinor and SSE Thermal to buy Saltend power station for £341m

A £341 million deal for the gas-fired power station at Saltend has been agreed, with Equinor and SSE Thermal uniting - kickstarting work on building the Humber's hydrogen economy.

The energy giants are advancing their role in the cleaning up the UK's most carbon-intensive industrial cluster, with the buyout of the 1.2GW plant east of Hull.

It will see preparations begin for the use of hydrogen, produced from natural gas by Equinor, on a neighbouring site soon to be realised.

Triton Power, the business under which it operates, is currently owned by US-based Energy Capital Partners, a power-focused infrastructure investor.
It is the latest joint venture from the British and Norwegian multinationals, with developments at Keadby on the South Bank and plans for hydrogen storage at Aldbrough, East Yorkshire.

https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/equinor-sse-thermal-buy-saltend-24339195

UK-built Forum satellite will measure greenhouse effect

A spacecraft measuring Earth’s warming ‘greenhouse’ effect in its greatest ever detail will be built in the UK.

The Forum satellite will be assembled by aerospace giant Airbus at its factory in Stevenage.

It will monitor far-infrared radiation coming up from our planet’s surface.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-61970370