UK's Largest Bio-Refinery Opens in Hull
- The £350 million Vivergo plant will produce 420 million liters of bioethanol annually.
- The plant will also generate 500,000 tonnes of animal feed per year.
- Vivergo will source 1.1 million tonnes of wheat annually, primarily from Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
- The plant offers over 50% greenhouse gas savings compared to standard petrol.
Overview
The £350 million Vivergo bioethanol plant in Hull, officially opened by Vince Cable MP, is the UK's largest bioethanol producer and a major supplier of animal feed. The plant is a joint venture between AB Sugar, BP, and DuPont.
Production Capacity
At full capacity, the Vivergo plant will produce 420 million liters of bioethanol annually, meeting a third of the UK's current demand. Additionally, it will generate 500,000 tonnes of protein-rich animal feed per year, sufficient to feed around a fifth of the UK's dairy herd.
Raw Material Sourcing
Vivergo will become the UK's largest wheat buyer, sourcing 1.1 million tonnes of animal feed grade wheat annually, primarily from farms in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. This wheat was previously exported.
Environmental Impact
The bioethanol produced by Vivergo will offer greenhouse gas savings exceeding 50% compared to standard petrol, equivalent to the emissions of over 180,000 UK cars annually.
Employment and Local Impact
The plant employs around 80 full-time highly skilled workers and supports over a thousand additional jobs through its supply chain. Vivergo is committed to hiring locally and has collaborated with JobCentre Plus and local authorities to train and employ local unemployed individuals.
Location and Infrastructure
Situated on a 25-acre brownfield site within the Saltend Chemicals Park near Hull, the plant benefits from its proximity to the UK's wheat belt and efficient distribution channels for bioethanol via ship or road.