Kellogg’s has used hydrogen power to make its breakfast cereals at its factory in Manchester, UK.
The trial was part of a government-funded hydrogen demonstration and it marks the first time a food manufacturer in the country has produced cereal using this method.
Over the course of three weeks, and part of the HyNet Industrial Fuel Switching programme, Kellogg’s replaced fossil fuel gas with hydrogen power for its toasting oven at the factory. The hydrogen power successfully produced the manufacturer’s popular Corn Flakes, Bran Flakes, Special K and Rice Krispies products.
Kellanova UK was selected to receive £3 million funding by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero in 2023, and the HyNet Industrial Fuel Switching 2 programme is funded through the UK Government’s £55 million Industrial Fuel Switching Competition.
The work is part of the UK government’s £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.
Kellogg manufacturer Kellanova said the aim of the demonstration was to showcase the role that hydrogen can play to support industry decarbonisation. It also gave employees at the factory a chance to upskill and boost their learning about new methods of working.
Sam Bistiaux, vice president of manufacturing at Kellanova, commented: “The production of our cereal using hydrogen is an exciting first for us.
“It’s a significant moment for our people, our operations, and the industry as a whole as it demonstrates the potential of investing in low carbon fuels to drive decarbonisation. We are excited to be at the pioneering edge of this process, with the technology still in its infancy, and the long-term potential truly transformative.”
He added: “As we look to continue reducing our carbon footprint, we hope that sharing examples of best practice and learnings from the demonstration can equip other businesses with the confidence and know-how to do the same, so that we can take urgent and collective action towards a greener future.”
David Parkin, chair of the HyNet Alliance, remarked: “Having businesses like Kellogg’s taking part has been hugely valuable in paving the way for other food manufacturers to explore low carbon fuel, think about their own decarbonisation roadmap, and help to make a critical contribution to the UK’s journey to Net Zero carbon emissions.”
Read more about government-backed sustainability grants in the UK on Green Retail World
[image credit: Photo/Jon Super for Kellogg’s/Kellanova – contact: jon@jonsuper.com, http://www.jonsuper.com]
