British Sugar Successfully Reopens CO2 Production Facility at Wissington

British Sugar's Wissington factory has revived its CO2 production facility through a long-term partnership with Air Liquide. This collaboration enables the production and distribution of biogenic CO2 to various industries across the UK and beyond.

The plant, a major source of biogenic CO2 in the UK, is strategically situated adjacent to Wissington’s bioethanol facility. This prime location eliminates the need for additional transportation of raw materials, streamlining the process and reducing logistical costs. By being co-located, the plant efficiently captures biogenic CO2 as a by-product of the bioethanol production, leveraging the existing infrastructure to optimize resource use and minimize environmental impact. This setup ensures a seamless integration of operations, enhancing sustainability and operational efficiency.

After extracting sugar from locally grown sugar beet, the remaining juice is utilized by the bioethanol plant to produce E10, a low-carbon transportation fuel. During the fermentation of this residual juice, raw CO2 is generated as a by-product. This process efficiently converts the by-products of sugar extraction into valuable bioethanol while simultaneously producing CO2, which can be captured and repurposed. This integration enhances the sustainability of the bioethanol production process and reduces waste by utilizing every part of the raw material.

Under the new partnership, Air Liquide will undertake the purification and liquefaction of the raw CO2, generating approximately 20,000 tonnes per year. This CO2 will be distributed to diverse sectors, including food and beverage, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. By capturing CO2 that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere, this initiative represents a significant advance in reducing carbon emissions from British Sugar’s entire site operations. This effort contributes to a reduction of around 5% in Wissington’s total Scope 1 emissions.

Keith Packer, Managing Director of British Sugar, expressed his delight at the reopening of the CO2 facility at the Wissington site in partnership with Air Liquide. He emphasized British Sugar's ongoing commitment to reducing waste from the sugar production process. This initiative is part of their broader efforts to enhance sustainability and efficiency. By reactivating this facility, British Sugar aims to advance its environmental goals and further reduce waste, contributing to a more sustainable production cycle.

Elliott Fisher, British Sugar’s Site General Manager at Wissington, highlighted the site's ongoing efforts to maximize the use of every part of the sugar beet processed at the factory. By reusing the CO2 generated during the fermentation process for bioethanol production, the site aims to provide a reliable supply of biogenic CO2. This initiative not only enhances the factory's sustainability but also contributes to increasing the country’s domestic supply of biogenic CO2, supporting broader environmental goals.