.png)
Image Credit: Kellanova
Kellogg’s has completed a hydrogen-powered manufacturing trial, becoming the first food producer in the UK to make cereal using this low-carbon energy source. The three-week demonstration, funded through the UK government’s £55 million Industrial Fuel Switching Competition, was conducted at one of Kellogg’s UK factories under the HyNet Industrial Fuel Switching programme.
The trial involved replacing conventional fuel gas with hydrogen to power the factory’s toasting oven, successfully producing cereals for Corn Flakes, Bran Flakes, Special K, and Rice Krispies.
This milestone follows Kellanova UK (Kellogg’s parent company) receiving £3 million in government funding in 2023 from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, further cementing its role in industrial decarbonization.
The initiative underscores hydrogen's potential as a viable solution for reducing emissions in energy-intensive industries. Beyond cutting greenhouse gas output, the project also provided hands-on learning and upskilling opportunities for factory employees.
As part of its "Better Days" sustainability commitment, Kellanova has already achieved a 54% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions across Europe as of late 2024. It now aims for a 63% reduction by 2030, reinforcing its long-term sustainability vision.
Sam Bistiaux, vice president of manufacturing at Kellanova, said: “The production of our cereal using hydrogen is an exciting first for us. It’s a significant moment for our people, our operations and the industry as a whole, as it demonstrates the potential of investing in low-carbon fuels to drive decarbonisation. We are excited to be at the pioneering edge of this process, with the technology still in its infancy and the long-term potential truly transformative.”
Bistiaux added that the company plans to share examples of best practices and learnings from the demonstration, hoping to equip other businesses with the confidence and knowledge to take “collective action toward a greener future.”
David Parkin, chair of the HyNet Alliance, commented: “It’s been fantastic to see the results of this demonstration, as part of HyNet’s Industrial Fuel Switching two programme, and to see the positive impact investment in hydrogen could have for industry, society, and the planet.”
He continued: “Having businesses like Kellogg’s taking part has been hugely valuable in paving the way for other food manufacturers to explore low-carbon fuel, think about their own decarbonization roadmap, and help to make a critical contribution to the UK’s journey to Net Zero carbon emissions.”