FLEXIS welcome the UKRIs industrial decarbonation clusters to South Wales

On Wednesday 12th February, FLEXIS welcomed UKRI’s  newly appointed Industrial Decarbonisation Research Champion Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer and representatives from the UK’s main industrial clusters to South Wales.

Hosted by FLEXIS’ lead principal investigator, Hywel Thomas, the group discussed research and innovation priorities and shared new decarbonisation initiatives from each of the six cluster areas: Humberside, South Wales, Grangemouth, Teesside, Merseyside and Southampton.

Together, the aim is to create the world’s first net-zero carbon industrial cluster by 2040 and at least one low-carbon cluster by 2030.

Many industrial areas of the UK remain heavily reliant on carbon fuels. FLEXIS is working in partnership with Tata Steel in Port Talbot on a number of decarbonisation projects including waste heat recovery, commercial electrical flexibility and Hydrogen opportunities.

Dr Chris Williams, Energy Research Manager at Tata Steel, said: “By working in partnership with FLEXIS, Tata Steel has used innovative research and expertise to further explore the  decarbonisation of our processes.

“Sharing research and results as part of the South Wales Industrial Cluster, we’ll be able to work better together with the support of Governments and National Resources Wales, to develop a ‘Clean Growth’ vision for South Wales industry and aim to achieve net zero by 2050. We look forward to working with Professor Maroto-Valer to ensure our cluster receives the academic support we need for this exciting journey.”