At the Criggion plant in Wales, HANSON is spearheading a monumental shift in the asphalt industry, announcing a hydrogen-fueled, net-zero asphalt production process. With a £6.1 million boost from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the initiative gained substantial traction today.
HANSON’s long-term strategy to neutralize their carbon footprint includes the announcement at a time when green technologies are in high demand worldwide. By generating hydrogen from the Heysham 2 Power Station in Lancashire, this venture is uniquely positioned to replace the fossil fuel mix that has long been the industry standard for asphalt production.
Technical details of the project are compelling: Heysham 2 will send electricity and steam to a Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) electrolyzer in order to create hydrogen. Using state-of-the-art tankers, hydrogen will be produced, which will be used to fuel Criggion.
“The use of hydrogen derived from nuclear power will revolutionize the way we think about carbon neutrality in both asphalt and cement production,” said Simon Willis, CEO of Hanson UK. We are committed to pioneering real-world applications of progressive technologies through our collaboration with the Bay Hydrogen Hub project. This will contribute significantly to our net-zero goal.”
Our cement facility in Ribblesdale, Lancashire, has already proven that hydrogen can be a cornerstone of net-zero fuel mixes. However, this is the first attempt to prove its application in asphalt production worldwide. It is a thrilling period, and we are confident that this project will set a new standard for the transition to carbon neutrality in industry.”
There will be more than £15 million in total funding for the project from the Government and industry stakeholders. The first steps of the venture will be to develop a design for hydrogen production infrastructure, as well as strategies for distribution and utilization. At Criggion, hydrogen-based asphalt production is expected to follow.
Investing in low-carbon technology is part of the government’s £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.
If all goes according to plan, the Criggion plant will begin producing hydrogen asphalt as early as 2024.
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