German Delegation Explores Industrial Decarbonisation in the Humber Region

The Humber Industrial Cluster recently welcomed the Cluster Dekarbonisierung der Industrie (CDI) delegation from Germany for a successful four-day visit. The delegation comprised prominent experts and key stakeholders in hydrogen, offshore wind, carbon capture, and energy systems. They focused on Humber's leadership in industrial decarbonisation, innovative hydrogen projects, and opportunities for collaboration.

Workshops and Site Visits

On Monday, the delegation engaged in a full day of workshops and site visits, beginning at the Aura Innovation Centre. Jonathan Oxley from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) opened the day by highlighting the immense opportunities present in the Humber region. Following this, German delegates Dr. Irina Kerner and Dr. Ulrike Walter presented on the decarbonisation landscape in Germany and outlined their objectives for the tour.

Dr. Kerner, from the Industry Policy Department at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, stated, “My job is to fund decarbonisation, which is why I'm here to learn how the Humber region sets up decarbonisation projects and implements carbon capture and storage (CCS). This is quite new for Germany, and there's growing interest in CCS projects. We're here to learn from others who have faced similar challenges, and I'm very excited because I already see a lot of commitment and collaboration.”

The morning continued with two expert-led panels:

• Offshore Wind Panel, chaired by Professor James Gilbert, featuring Ben Hill (Siemens Energy), Corrine Barry (RWE), and Emma Toulson (Ørsted).
• Hydrogen Panel, chaired by Jonathan Oxley, which included Frédéric Séné (Air Products), Richard Clark (Meld Energy), and Simon Green (Humber Freeport).

Following the panel, Frédéric Séné, Commercial Director at Air Products, said: “Learning from the Humber cluster, which has been leading the way, shows how companies with different interests can work together to achieve decarbonisation.”

In the afternoon, the group visited Saltend Chemicals Park, hosted by px Group, focusing on the H2H Hydrogen project, followed by a tour of Siemens Gamesa’s blade factory. Rico Schneider, Head of Transformation at Siemens Energy, shared his impressions: “The tour was pretty impressive. It was amazing to see the huge facility at Siemens Gamesa, the manufacturing capabilities, and everything happening around it. The Saltend Chemicals Park visit was also inspiring—it’s clear the ambition of the people here is to take things to the next level.”

In the evening, the delegation attended a networking dinner at Tapasya Indian restaurant, where Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, welcomed them to the region. Presentations by Paul Fursey (Phillips 66) and Marc Lehnfeld (Germany Trade & Invest) highlighted the significance of international collaboration in advancing decarbonisation efforts.

Concluding his presentation, Paul Fursey said: “The Humber is a beacon of hope and innovation in the global fight against climate change. By harnessing its strengths, natural resources, and collaborative spirit, the Humber is proving that decarbonisation is not only achievable but also economically beneficial. I am confident that the Humber’s journey towards a sustainable future will serve as an inspiration to other regions worldwide as we bring about transformative and impactful change.”

Energy Systems and Carbon Capture Focus

On Tuesday, the delegation visited CATCH to explore energy systems and policies. Richard Halsey from Energy Systems Catapult led discussions, presenting pathways to achieving Net Zero in the UK. He noted, “It’s been great to understand the different challenges but also the similarities between the UK and Germany, and to identify key areas for collaboration—particularly around carbon capture and storage, technology development, and enabling a just transition.”

An expert panel followed, featuring Alfredo Ramos Plasencia (High Value Manufacturing Catapult), Dan Sadler (Equinor), Maria Felice (High Value Manufacturing Catapult), Mark Riley (Phillips 66), and Julie Roden (Drax Group).

Mark Riley commented: “These delegation tours are crucial for sharing best practices and knowledge, as well as creating opportunities for inward investment in our region. The Humber is ideally positioned for these visits because we are the largest industrial cluster in the UK.”

Julie Roden from Drax Group added: “The Humber is a vital area for the UK regarding industrial decarbonisation. We currently have the highest rate of emissions in the country, and it’s essential that we connect to a storage solution to start reducing those emissions.”

The delegation then toured Phillips 66’s Humber Refinery, focusing on the Humber Zero carbon capture project, before concluding the day with a relaxing evening at Forest Pines Hotel in Scunthorpe.

Speaking after the visit, Markus Midden, Manager for New Business Areas & Decarbonisation at K+S Group, noted, “We are a very energy-intensive industry—mining is particularly demanding in terms of energy. We're exploring various innovations and technologies to decarbonise by 2045. We’ve been here to learn and collaborate with other industry partners to see how they've approached it and to understand the constraints and hurdles they’ve experienced. Ultimately, we want to exchange ideas, build a network, and take these insights into the future.”

Final Day

The visit wrapped up on Wednesday with a tour of Drax Power Station, where the delegation was briefed on the Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) project, further solidifying the Humber’s pivotal role in industrial decarbonisation.

The CDI delegation departed the Humber Cluster with valuable insights into how collaboration, cutting-edge technologies, and strategic innovation are advancing decarbonisation efforts. Diana Taylor, Managing Director of Future Humber, said: "The Humber Cluster is at the forefront of industrial decarbonisation, and we’re thrilled to share our successes and learnings with the CDI delegation, who also expressed enthusiasm for ongoing knowledge sharing and collaboration. Together, we look forward to building future partnerships that will contribute to global sustainability goals."