Kraft Heinz green hydrogen plant will cut emissions and boost brand

As consumers increasingly look to purchase sustainable products, Kraft Heinz has made what it calls “an important step forward” in its efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

The company has signed an agreement with Carlton Power, a UK energy infrastructure development company, to explore the potential development of a 20MW green hydrogen plant at its Kitt Green manufacturing facility in Wigan in north-west England.

“The Wigan project is contingent on securing local planning, securing government funding, and then a final investment decision will be made,” Carlton Power projects director Eric Adams tells Just Food.

However, the move is significant, he says, as “other food companies wishing to decarbonise their operations, could follow the example of Kraft Heinz”.

One of the largest food processing plants in Europe, Kitt Green produces 250,000 tonnes of food annually, including Heinz’ famous baked beans.

A spokesperson for Kraft Heinz told Just Food that the development of the green hydrogen plant would enable the yearly production of around 2,000 tonnes of hydrogen, translating into 80GWh of capacity. This would meet 50% of the manufacturing plant’s annual natural gas demand and reduce its carbon emissions by an estimated 16,000 tonnes.