British chemical industry news

• EuroAPI FOCUS-27 Plan: Job Cuts and Facility Divestments

  28 June 2024

  SpecialtiesCDMOPharma

  

  The FOCUS-27 plan aims to boost competitiveness with €110-120M restructuring costs, €350-400M CAPEX, and €75-80M annual EBITDA by 2027, focusing on high-value APIs and strategic sites.
• Approval Granted for Hydrogen Facility in Hull

  13 June 2024

  Biobased & CircularEnergyIndustrial gasses

  

  The £250M, 100MW facility will meet 30% of Saltend Chemicals Park's hydrogen demand, cutting CO2 emissions by 125,000 tonnes annually, aiding the UK's decarbonisation and economic growth.
• Mura and Elite Recycling Partner for Hydro-PRT Site in Teesside

  29 May 2024

  Base chemistryBiobased & CircularPolymers

  

  A new feedstock supply contract will provide post-use plastic for a hydrothermal recycling facility, converting waste into reusable hydrocarbons and reducing carbon emissions.
• INEOS to End Ethanol Production at Grangemouth in 2025

  19 March 2024

  Base chemistry

  

  All staff to be redeployed. Decision follows reduced demand and import pressure. Consultations with employees and Trade Union to begin. Ethanol supply to continue from Herne, Germany.
• Mura Technology and Neste Sign Offtake Agreement for Teesside Recycling Site

  7 March 2024

  Base chemistryBiobased & CircularPolymers

  

  Neste will convert products from Mura's Teesside site into new plastic feedstock. The HydroPRS™ process enables efficient recycling of mixed plastics, reducing fossil resource use and carbon footprint.

• bp adopts BASF's carbon capture for Teesside hydrogen project

  22 February 2024

  Biobased & CircularEnergyIndustrial gasses

  

  The Teesside project aims for 1.2GW blue hydrogen by 2030, capturing up to 99.99% CO2 with OASE® technology. It targets decarbonizing industry and heavy transport, with operations planned for 2028.
• MHI and Worley Secure FEED Contract for UK's First Cement CO2 Capture Plant

  6 February 2024

  Biobased & CircularIndustrial gasses

  

  The Padeswood CCS project will capture and store up to 800,000 tons of CO2 annually, starting in 2028, as part of the HyNet CCUS cluster to support the UK's net zero carbon goal by 2050.
• Topsoe to Supply Technology for Essar's £360 Million Carbon Capture Project in Chester, UK

  22 December 2023

  Base chemistryBiobased & Circular

  

  The carbon capture facility at Stanlow refinery will be operational by 2028, capturing 1 million tons of CO2 annually, with CO2 sequestered in Liverpool Bay's depleted gas fields.
• Eni Enhances UK CCS Leadership with HyNet Expansion and New Government Initiatives

  21 December 2023

  Biobased & CircularIndustrial gasses

  

  The UK launches "CCUS Vision" to boost carbon capture, aiming for 20-30 million tonnes stored annually by 2030, creating 50,000 jobs. HyNet and Bacton hubs to store 500 million tonnes of CO2.
• UK Invests £20 Billion to Develop Competitive Carbon Capture Market

  20 December 2023

  Biobased & CircularIndustrial gasses

  

  The UK aims to create a competitive carbon capture market by 2035, boosting the economy by £5 billion annually by 2050, supporting 50,000 jobs by 2030, and storing 20-30 million tonnes of CO2 per year.
• ExxonMobil's Fawley Refinery Investment Enhances UK Energy Security

  1 December 2023

  RefineryEnergy

  

  The new low-sulphur diesel facility at Fawley will boost production by 40%, reduce imports, support 400 construction jobs, and lay groundwork for lower-carbon fuels with a new hydrogen plant.
• Mura Technology Launches First Commercial HydroPRS™ Recycling Plant in Teesside

  26 October 2023

  Base chemistryBiobased & CircularPolymers

  

  The plant will process 'unrecyclable' plastics, creating jobs and reducing carbon emissions. Key industry figures attended the launch, highlighting collaboration and economic benefits.
• bp selects Johnson Matthey’s LCH technology for H2Teesside hydrogen project

  24 October 2023

  Biobased & CircularEnergyIndustrial gasses

  

  H2Teesside aims for 1.2GW hydrogen by 2030, aiding local decarbonization. The project leverages North Sea gas and carbon capture, targeting low-cost, efficient hydrogen production.
• EQTEC Halts Billingham Project in UK

  21 September 2023

  Biobased & CircularEnergy

  

  Challenging market conditions and setbacks make the Billingham project unfeasible. Discussions continue on recovering investments. Focus shifts to broader strategic opportunities.
• ENGIE Expands Biomethane Operations in Europe with Ixora Energy Acquisition

  21 September 2023

  

  The acquisition adds three UK production units, generating 160 GWh annually, to ENGIE's portfolio, supporting its goal of 10 TWh capacity by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2045.
• SQM Invests $2.57M in Altilium

  12 September 2023

  

  The investment will accelerate Altilium's battery recycling tech, supporting sustainable EV supply chains and the scale-up of its UK and European operations.
• Jayplas to Double Wales' Plastic Reprocessing Capacity

  6 September 2023

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  The new facility will process 100,000 tonnes of plastics annually, cut Wales' carbon footprint by 150,000 tonnes, and create skilled jobs, supporting zero waste and net zero emissions by 2050.
• Futamura Opens New Production Line in Wigton

  5 September 2023

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  The new cellulose film line boosts production by 25%, reducing lead times and supporting sustainable packaging. The team’s dedication was key to this strategic investment.
• BioNTech Acquires InstaDeep to Enhance AI-Driven Drug Development

  31 July 2023

  Pharma

  

  The acquisition adds 290 skilled professionals and supports AI-driven drug discovery. InstaDeep will continue serving global clients in various sectors as a UK-based subsidiary. Total deal value: €500 million.
• Tata Group to Build UK Battery Gigafactory

  19 July 2023

  Biobased & CircularEnergy

  

  The £4 billion investment will produce 40GW of battery cells annually from 2026, supporting electric mobility and renewable energy. The project aims for 100% clean power and includes battery recycling.
• Devon County Council Backs Altilium's Battery Recycling Initiative

  1 June 2023

  Biobased & Circular

  

  A Devon-based firm recycles EV batteries, recovering over 95% of critical minerals. Supported by local and national funds, it plans to scale up operations in the UK and Europe.
• Yara to Build Specialty Fertilizer Plant in Yorkshire

  23 May 2023

  Food

  

  The new plant will double production capacity for specialty crop nutrition products and biostimulants, enhancing yields and quality, with nearly all output exported globally by end of 2025.
• GC Ventures invests in Interface Polymers to enhance plastic recyclability

  9 May 2023

  Polymers

  

  Polarfin® additives improve recyclability of mixed plastics in food packaging. GC subsidiary allnex partners with Interface Polymers to develop recyclable resins for packaging.
• DSM selects BakerHicks for EPCM of methane-reducing feed additive plant

  4 April 2023

  Biobased & CircularFood

  

  The new plant will produce Bovaer®, a feed additive reducing methane emissions from cattle. Construction began in 2022, with completion expected in 2025, supported by local expertise and sustainable practices.
• UK Government Selects Essar Vertex Hydrogen Project for Hydrogen Economy Development

  30 March 2023

  Biobased & CircularEnergyIndustrial gasses

  

  The UK Government's £20bn funding supports hydrogen projects, boosting investment and job creation. Vertex Hydrogen will produce 350MW by 2026, capturing 600,000 tonnes of CO2 using HyNet's infrastructure.
• Terrae Novo Seeks £100m for Humber Plant Backed by Traditum

  22 March 2023

  Base chemistryBiobased & CircularPolymersEnergy

  

  A start-up aims to convert non-recyclable plastic and bio waste into low-carbon fuels and new plastics, planning a plant in Humber to process 60,000 tonnes of waste annually, creating 25 local jobs.
• Moderna to Develop Innovation and Technology Centre at Harwell Campus

  5 March 2023

  Pharma

  

  The new centre will focus on mRNA vaccine R&D and manufacturing, creating jobs and boosting the UK's life sciences sector. Construction starts in 2023, with operations expected by 2025.