World's First Hydrogen-Powered Brick Kiln to Slash 11,600 Tons of CO₂ Annually

Wienerberger UK & Ireland has secured funding to build the world's first commercial hydrogen-fired brick kiln at its Denton plant. The project, backed by €7 million from the UK's Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, aims to cut carbon emissions by 11,600 tons each year. Once complete, it will serve as a blueprint for decarbonising the heavy clay industry. The Denton plant will retrofit two existing tunnel kilns to run entirely on green hydrogen. Key changes include replacing 224 gas burners with hydrogen alternatives, upgrading control and safety systems, and securing a 15-year hydrogen supply deal with Trafford Green Hydrogen. Full operation is expected by autumn 2028.

Tests confirm that bricks produced with hydrogen match traditional ones in strength, appearance, and performance. The project also highlights the role of public-private partnerships in advancing green technology. If successful, the hydrogen furnace model could be rolled out across Wienerberger's plants in Germany and Austria.

The initiative is part of Wienerberger's broader strategy to reduce reliance on volatile energy markets. By 2027, the company aims to prove that high-temperature industrial processes can achieve carbon neutrality. The Denton project alone will cut the company's regional Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 9%. The hydrogen kiln at Denton will save CO₂ equivalent to the annual footprint of 5,000 households. Its success could transform brick production across Europe. The project also sets a precedent for retrofitting existing infrastructure to meet climate targets.