Oakenholt Mill gets £2.85m Upgrade with Hydrogen-Ready Burners

Essity is to invest £2.85 million in upgrading the remaining paper machine at its Oakenholt mill near Flint, including the installation of burners designed to operate with hydrogen blends.

The Swedish hygiene and health company said the project will replace the paper machine's hood, burner and heat exchange systems. Installation is scheduled to take place in May and June 2027.

Essity expects the upgrade to reduce the mill's gas consumption by 11 per cent and cut carbon emissions by around 925 tonnes a year, while also reducing the risk of unplanned breakdowns.

The new burners will operate on a 20 per cent hydrogen blend as standard and could be converted to run entirely on hydrogen if further modifications are made. Essity has registered the Oakenholt site as a potential hydrogen end user through HyNet, a scheme developing carbon capture and hydrogen pipeline infrastructure across Flintshire.

“Securing approval for this investment marks an important milestone for Oakenholt following more than three years of planning and development,” said Stuart McCrae, Project Manager at Essity's Oakenholt mill. “Oakenholt has been part of the local community for 150 years, and this investment sends a strong message about Essity's commitment to the site, our people and the wider region.”

Andrew Hearns, Technology Area Manager for Energy and Material Savings at Essity, said the introduction of hydrogen-compatible technology would improve energy efficiency while supporting future innovation.

Paper has been made at Oakenholt since 1875. The site produces toilet tissue, facial tissue and paper towels for retailers and the NHS, and Essity lists the facility as employing 60 people.

The investment follows the closure of one of the site's two paper machines in January 2024, when Essity opened a redundancy consultation affecting 13 roles. The company said the latest project forms part of its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.