Both companies have clay mining operations within five miles of the Langage site. Sibeclo’s Cornwood operation and Imerys’ Lee Moor operation both produce kaolin, mainly for the brick ceramics and tiles industries.
Both Sibelco and Imerys plan to cut their greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade and the transition away from fossil fuels to hydrogen is an important lever in their sustainability strategies (see Notes to Editor). Carlton’s 10 MW hydrogen hub project at Langage, the first of its kind in the South West of England, and earmarked to enter operation in 2025, will help the two companies achieve their sustainability goals.
“The hydrogen scheme at Langage fits well with our drive to use greener fuel alternatives” said Ben Uphill, Director Operations at Sibelco. “With our site only a few kilometres away from the proposed hydrogen production facility it seems an ideal concept to be involved with, and it’s good to hear greener energy being produced locally, securing energy supply. China Clay has been mined in the area for hundreds of years, and Sibelco plan to be in the area for many years to come.”
The green hydrogen produced at Langage Green Energy will be supplied by an underground pipeline to Cornwood (Sibelco) and Lee Moor (Imerys Minerals).
The development of Langage Green Energy has benefited from the support of a range of local organisations including South Hams District Council, Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and the South West Business Council. Sir Gary Streeter MP and other South West MPs have also expressed support for the scheme. The project forms part of the proposed Plymouth & South Devon Freeport.
“Imerys will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 42 percent by 2030, from the base-year of 2021” said Mark Hewson, UK Hub Director at Imerys Minerals. “Our UK operations are committed to carbon emission reduction and one of the important strands of our strategy is the use of hydrogen to replace natural gas in our calcining operations. As such, the partnership agreement with Carlton Power in their Langage project is very important and will facilitate our transition from natural gas and consequently the reduction in our carbon emissions.”
Eric Adams, Hydrogen Projects Director at Carlton Power said that the move by the mining companies gives a strong and positive signal to other high-energy users in the West Country to make the switch.
“Following the development of our initial 10 MW project at Langage, we hope to increase its capacity to allow more companies – in industry, manufacturing and transport - to decarbonise their operations” Mr Adams said.
Subject to reaching final agreements on the Langage project with the UK Government and a financial investment decision, Carlton Power is aiming to start construction onsite before the end of the year. Langage secured planning consent from South Hams Council in 2022.
Last month, Langage Green Hydrogen project was shortlisted by the UK Government for financial support.
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