In a groundbreaking three-week demonstration, the Kellogg’s factory in Manchester successfully transitioned from fossil fuel gas to hydrogen to power its toasting oven.
During this trial, the hydrogen-fueled method produced iconic products including Corn Flakes, Bran Flakes, Special K, and Rice Krispies.
This innovative demonstration received significant support, thanks to a £3 million grant from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero in 2023. It forms a crucial part of the HyNet Industrial Fuel Switching programme.
The HyNet Industrial Fuel Switching programme is part of the UK Government’s £55m Industrial Fuel Switching Competition, which is nested within the broader £1bn Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP).
Sam Bistiaux, Vice President of Manufacturing at Kellogg’s parent company Kellanova, characterized the demonstration as an exhilarating milestone for the organization.
“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,” Bistiaux stated.
“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.”
“As we look to continue reducing our carbon footprint, we hope that sharing examples of best practices 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, praised the impressive outcomes of the demonstration.
“It’s been fantastic to see, as part of HyNet’s Industrial Fuel Switching 2 programme, the positive impact investment in hydrogen could have for industry, society, and the planet,” Parkin added.
“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.”
Despite the promising advancements showcased during the trial, the Kellogg’s Manchester factory is scheduled to close at the end of 2026.
