Tata Chemicals Europe has officially opened an industrial-scale carbon capture plant and usage plant in Cheshire following a £20m investment.
The project has been completed by Northwich-based Tata Chemicals Europe, a producer of sodium carbonate, salt and sodium bicarbonate.
The plant can capture 40,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year – the equivalent to taking more than 20,000 cars off the roads – and reduces TCE's carbon emissions by more than 10 per cent.
The project is also set to help unlock the future of carbon capture in the UK as it demonstrates the viability of the technology to remove carbon dioxide from power plant emissions and to use it in high-end manufacturing applications.
Carbon dioxide captured from energy generation emissions is being purified to food and pharmaceutical grade and used as a raw material in the manufacture of sodium bicarbonate which will be known as Ecokarb. This process is patented in the UK with further patents pending in key territories around the world.
Ecokarb will be exported to more than 60 countries around the world, generating tens of millions of export revenue every year. Much of the sodium bicarbonate exported will be used in haemodialysis to treat people living with kidney disease.
The carbon capture plant was supported with a £4.2m grant through the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's (BEIS) Energy Innovation.
Martin Ashcroft, managing director of Tata Chemicals Europe, said: "Our plant is really important in demonstrating the viability of the technology required to remove carbon dioxide from power plant emissions, helping to de-risk potentially larger investments in the future.
"Today marks a key development in our low carbon transition helping to develop more sustainable manufacturing techniques that can be applied at a global level.
"It also highlights our commitment to provide long-term, high-quality jobs in our local communities which is a key part of our modern industrial strategy as we work towards a net zero economy."
Business and energy secretary Kwasi Kwarteng added: "This cutting-edge plant, backed by £4.2m government funding, demonstrates how carbon capture is attracting new private capital into the UK and is boosting new innovation in green technologies.
"We are determined to make the UK a world-leader in carbon capture, which will help us reduce emissions and be a key part of the future of British industry."
