Axis is delighted to have successfully secured, in just 13 weeks, detailed planning permission from Cheshire West and Chester Council, on behalf of Tata Chemicals Europe Limited (TCE), for the development of a ground breaking Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) Demonstration Plant. The plant will reduce carbon emissions, whilst ensuring a secure, sustainable supply of carbon dioxide – a raw material critical to the TATA Chemicals Europe’s international growth.
The CCU will support the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy, the £16.7m project will be funded by TCE with the support of a £4.2m grant from the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) through the Carbon Capture and Utilisation Demonstration Programme. The approved development is the first large-scale CCU project of its kind in the UK. The project also marks a world first in capturing and purifying carbon dioxide from power generation plant emission gases to use as a key raw material to manufacture high purity sodium bicarbonate.
Commenting on the work with Axis, Director of Projects for TCE, Ladan Iravanian, said,
“We worked closely with Axis on this groundbreaking project and their support in the planning process has been invaluable. The Axis team brings experience, energy and insights that helped shape our planning application. It was great to have their support and that of Chester and Cheshire West Council for this carbon capture and use demonstration project.”
The plant will capture CO2 emitted from the existing, highly efficient, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Energy Plant at TCE’s Winnington Works Site in Northwich. The Winnington Works is the UKs largest single site user of liquid CO2, which is used in the manufacture of high-grade sodium bicarbonate which is primarily used in the pharmaceutical and haemodialysis sectors. TCE already exports 60% of its sodium bicarbonate to over 60 countries across the globe. The CCU project will be a springboard for TCE to unlock further growth into its export markets.
The facility will be the first of its kind in the UK and would provide a wholly sustainable solution by capturing CO2 from the exhaust gases of the existing CHP energy plant, by utilising it within the on-site production of sodium bicarbonate. The CCU plant will be capable of capturing and producing up to 40,000 tons per year of carbon dioxide and will reduce TCE’s carbon emissions at the CHP plant by 11%.
Axis was responsible for the preparation and submission of the detailed planning application, supporting documentation, undertaking the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and production of the Environmental Statement (ES). Axis worked closely with TCE technical staff and proactively with the Council to secure planning permission for this unique and exciting project, within the 16-week determination period.
Commenting on the project, TCE MD, Martin Ashcroft, said,
“The CCU demonstration plant will enable us to reduce our carbon emissions, whilst securing supplies of a critical raw material, helping to grow the export of our products across the world. Implementing this industry leading project, with such strong environmental and operational benefits is hugely exciting, and we’re pleased to be working closely with BEIS to deliver the demonstration plant.
We hope that this project will demonstrate the viability of CCU and pave the way for further applications of the technology to support the decarbonisation of industrial activity. Our parent company, Tata Chemicals Ltd, has supported this innovative project, enabling our UK operations to continue to reduce its carbon emissions. This project is a great example of business and Government working together to rise to the challenge of decarbonising industrial production.”
In April 2018 the publication the Government’s ‘Clean Growth Strategy’ set a framework for growing national income, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions. To help enable this goal, the Government committed to spend up to £100 million from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Energy Innovation Programme to support Industry and Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) innovation. With the objective of improving business and industry efficiency, and further reducing the cost of deploying CCUS, the Carbon Capture & Utilisation Demonstration (CCUD) Programme – announced in the Clean Growth Strategy – provides grant funding to innovation projects that significantly reduce the cost of capturing and utilisation of CO2.
Commenting on the project, Chris Skidmore, Energy & Clean Growth Minister said,
“Cutting edge technology to capture carbon will cut emissions as we work towards a net zero economy, while creating new jobs – a key part of our modern Industrial Strategy.
This innovative project from Tata Chemicals Europe represents a major milestone in efforts to rollout carbon capture at scale by the 2030s.”
Further details about the project can be found at the following external links:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-48785945
https://www.ft.com/content/b45d94b6-97fc-11e9-8cfb-30c211dcd229
For further information about this project and on Tata Chemicals Europe, please contact Conker Communications.
[email protected] | [email protected] www.conkercommunications.com | 0161 445 9837
