Insulation venture Rockwool is collaborating with researchers at Swansea University to capture carbon dioxide gas from its manufacturing processes as part of a multi-million-pound project.
Working with the university’s Energy Safety Research Institute (ESRI), Rockwool has installed a new carbon dioxide demonstration unit at its manufacturing plant in Bridgend.
The unit, which will capture carbon dioxide emissions from the production of its insulation products, is being developed as part of the £11.5m Reducing Industrial Carbon Emissions (RICE) project which has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government. It is aimed at the deployment of industrial scale demonstrations of new technology.
Dr Enrico Andreoli of the ESRI said: “This is an exceptional opportunity for our team to tackle carbon emissions in Wales. Rockwool’s supportive and forward-looking approach is helping us bringing our technology on site, we count to provide a bespoke carbon capture solution to inform feasibility of future scale up and test advanced materials.”
Darryl Matthews, managing director of Rockwool said: “The group long been committed to operating sustainably and in 2020 we announced commitments to accelerate the decarbonisation of our business, with specific long-term targets verified and approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. As part of this drive, we are delighted to partner with the Energy Safety Research Institute at Swansea University and to be a part of the RICE project piloting new technology designed to capture Co2 emissions. We are excited about its potential in supporting the drive to net zero.”
Following the deployment of the unit at Rockwool’s plant, further units could be deployed at additional industrial sites.
Professor Andrew Barron, principal investigator of the RICE project, said:” “with 2050 (net zero target) arriving fast, the time for research is over, it is imperative to get new technology onto industrial sites in order to demonstrate viability. Partners such as Rockwool are vital in achieving this goal.”
Welsh Government Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, said: “These are the partnerships that will drive a stronger, greener Welsh economy. Putting world class expertise into practice is critical to our journey to net zero and this work means Bridgend will play a leading role in these exciting developments.”
