London: The UK government has announced a £100 million support package to restart a wheat-based bioethanol plant in Wilton, Yorkshire, in a bid to secure domestic carbon dioxide (CO2) supplies for key industries, Irish Farmers Journal reported.
The Ensus facility, which produces bioethanol from wheat and generates biogenic CO2 as a byproduct, will operate for an initial three-month period. The move is aimed at ensuring stable CO2 availability for sectors such as food and beverage, healthcare, nuclear power and water treatment.
The Department for Business and Trade said disruptions in European fertiliser production, along with difficult market conditions, have reduced the reliability of CO2 imports into the UK.
Rising gas prices linked to the Iran conflict and unplanned maintenance at several European CO2 production sites have further increased the risk of supply shortages.
The government said it has been in talks with Ensus since September to keep the plant on standby, allowing production to resume when required. The financial support will cover the cost of maintaining the plant in a ready-to-restart condition and restarting operations.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said the move would help safeguard critical supply chains and support key sectors, including food production, water and healthcare, while also protecting jobs and communities.
Ensus UK Chair Grant Pearson said the restart is positive news for employees and the broader supply chain, adding that it will strengthen the Teesside manufacturing economy and improve the UK’s resilience in biogenic CO2 supply.
