Hydrogen-Powered Furnace

Encirc's Elton site in Cheshire is one of Europe's largest glass container facilities, producing 2.2 billion bottles annually and employing over 1000 people. In December 2022, Encirc announced a landmark partnership with Diageo to build a new ultra-low carbon hydrogen-powered furnace at the site. Once operational, it will be a world first of its kind at scale.

The new hydrid furnace will run a mix of green electricity and low-carbon hydrogen supplied by via the HyNet North West cluster, reducing carbon emissions by 90%. Carbon capture technology will eliminate the remaining emissions by 2030, making it a fully net zero facility. Expected to be operational by 2027, it will produce up to 200 million bottles annually for Diageo brands, including Smirniff, Gordon's and Tanguerary.

Planning consent for the hydrogen production facility at Stanlow was granted in January 2024, marking a significant milestone. The project will create at least 200 new jobs and future-proof existing roles at the Elton site.