£11 million investment brings environmental benefits to Hull

Citation

(2001), "£11 million investment brings environmental benefits to Hull", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 30 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2001.12930cad.002

£11 million investment brings environmental benefits to Hull

£11 million investment brings environmental benefits to Hull

Keywords Holliday Pigments, Emissions, Environmental

The Rt Hon John Prescott MP, the UK's Deputy Prime Minister, recently opened a new Flue Gas Desulphurisation Unit at Holliday Pigments' ultramarine production plant in Hull, UK (Plate 3).

Plate 3 Holliday Pigments' newly constructed £11 million process gas desulphurisation unit

The £11 million investment which started in August 1997 will reportedly virtually eliminate sulphur dioxide emissions from the company's processes. These were formerly released into the atmosphere via the local landmark of a 141 metre chimney.

The company, whose ultramarine colour pigments are used in a variety of industrial and consumer products, is now believed to exceed all the requirements of UK, EU and global environmental legislation governing emissions into the atmosphere.

A by-product of the new process is the production of high quality sulphuric acid which is being sold on by the company for use in a wide range of industrial applications.

Commenting at the official opening John Prescott said:

I am delighted that Holliday Pigments' new plant will exceed all national and international targets and remove almost all sulphur dioxide from its emissions. So it's a win-win solution: win for the environment, and win for the business because the sulphuric acid can be sold to help pay for the pollution equipment. It shows that Holliday Pigments is committed to the environment, to Hull and to the 130 jobs at this factory.

Robert Rae, managing director of Holliday Pigments said:

This investment demonstrates our environmental credentials and long term commitment to Hull as well as affirming our position as the world's leading manufacturer of ultramarine pigments. We're setting the standard for other ultramarine producers to follow.

The WSA process claims outstanding thermal efficiency, it is said to require no chemicals or absorbents, and no waste effluents are reportedly produced. There is said to be no consumption of process water, and the process requires only little cooling water.

Details available from: Holliday Pigments Tel: +44 (0)1482 329875, Fax: +44 (0) 1482 223114.