< Previous10 Business Link www.blmforum.net BUSINESS LINCOLNSHIRE Q&A Tell us all about your role and how it fits into the Growth Hub? I am responsible for managing the delivery of our government-funded business support projects. This involves liaising with our partners to help promote the services we offer and reaching out to as many eligible businesses as we can within the Greater Q&A Helping business grow This month we caught up with Jeannine Thornley, Senior Project Officer for Business Lincolnshire, about how she can help businesses to grow. Lincolnshire and Rutland area, offering our support. In addition to my role as Senior Project Officer, I’m also the manufacturing lead within the Growth Hub. I work with partners to deliver all sorts of initiatives – from supporting businesses with supply chain issues after our EU exit, to the delivery of one-to-one coaching and mentoring. We help businesses with issues across a variety of topics, such as marketing, diversification, as well as leadership and management skills. I also attend the Greater Lincolnshire LEP Manufacturing Board, which takes a strategic approach to support and accelerating the growth, productivity and competitiveness of the manufacturing economy in the Greater Lincolnshire area. How do you help Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland businesses to grow? A big part of my role is working to understand what businesses need, so that the Growth Hub can provide the doorway into the many support initiatives available. At the Growth Hub, we offer fully funded support in the form of one- to-one adviser support, events and webinars, training courses and grant funding, as well as encouraging inter- trading amongst local businesses through projects such as the Made in Lincolnshire brochure. Why do you feel it is important to support the local economy? Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland have a 10-11.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 13:05 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 11 BUSINESS LINCOLNSHIRE Q&A broad range of ground-breaking businesses in multiple sectors, however, they don’t always have the confidence to shout about how amazing they are. Our role at the Growth Hub is to help showcase these businesses, so they get the recognition they deserve, both locally and nationally. By showcasing what a great selection of businesses are already based here, we can attract other businesses to the area – helping to boost the local economy and provide opportunities for employment and diversification. What current Growth Hub project is your favourite? We launched a new version of the Made in Lincolnshire brochure, which celebrates the many remarkable manufacturing businesses found in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland. The brochure features home-grown manufacturing businesses of all sizes and specialisms – from a gin distillery to jewellery makers and crop storage systems. The brochure is online and interactive, so manufacturing businesses Do you want to take your business to the next level? Contact us via our website to be paired with the perfect Growth Hub adviser for your goals: www.businesslincolnshire.com © stock.adobe.com/joyfotoliakid @businesslincolnshire @BusinessLincs @Businesslincolnshire across Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland can be added whenever they want. Our goal is to highlight the manufacturing talent we have right on our doorstep – we also help them to connect and encourage inter-trading. So far, more than 100 businesses have signed up to take part! 10-11.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 13:05 Page 212 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Sustainability is slowly but steadily becoming a key priority in the commercial property sector and both Yorkshire and Lincolnshire have already started investing in new greener developments and projects that will bring great benefits to the regions. S pring is just around the corner and Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are getting ready to welcome the new season with exciting opportunities for their commercial property sectors. Both counties have been working on investments in new, greener developments and facilities that will bring not just profits to the territory but help them achieve more sustainability too. In West Yorkshire, the Combined Authority in partnership with Calderdale Council have started working on a new £17.7 million state-of-the-art renovation of Halifax Bus Station. Alongside improved passenger facilities and better access to the town centre, plans for the new station include environmentally friendly features, such as measures to enable the future introduction of electric bus charging points, bike parking and solar panels, a living roof complete with plants, and a water storage tank to manage the flow of rainwater in a storm. Overall, the scheme will deliver more green space as well as other environmental benefits. Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “In my manifesto, I committed to improving public transport, connecting more people with opportunities and helping tackle the climate emergency on our way to becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038.” Keyland Developments, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister company to Yorkshire Water, has agreed a 40-year lease to Harmony Energy for the construction of a battery storage facility at a five-acre site adjacent to Creyke Beck substation in Cottingham near Hull. When constructed it will be one of the largest battery storage facilities in Europe. Harmony Energy has secured planning consent from East Riding of Yorkshire Council for a total of 100MW of battery It’s time for greener investments It’s time for greener investments 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:37 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY 15 Á storage. The development will enable energy from renewables, like solar and wind, to be stored and then released when customers need power most, helping the UK transition to net zero. Peter Garrett, Managing Director at Keyland Developments, said: “We’re very pleased to get this deal across the line; the energy sector represents an exciting new business area for us to explore and we look forward to sourcing further opportunities from within Kelda Group’s extensive landholding.” In Hull, the Council’s waste disposal contractor, Geminor, has awarded a contract to construction company Keltbray that will see building work begin on a new facility in late January. The new waste management site, based on St Mark Street, will produce refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from Hull’s domestic waste collections, which cannot otherwise be recycled. The low-carbon © stock.adobe.com/whitcomberd fuel will mostly be used to power the Energy Works Hull facility, based on Cleveland Street and adjacent to the new facility. Councillor Rosie Nicola, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services, said: “The development of this new facility is great news for Hull. Not only will it create jobs locally, but it cements us as a forward-thinking city – working towards the collective aim of carbon neutrality and reducing negative impacts on the environment.” In South Yorkshire, people of Barnsley are being asked for their views on innovative plans to develop an eco- friendly business and community district in the heart of the town centre. New plans for The Seam digital campus include energy-efficient housing, green open spaces, improved facilities for cyclists and walkers and a multi-storey car park with electric vehicle charging points. The aim is to build new facilities around the existing business and learning centres to create an ‘urban village’ using the latest ideas in landscape and building design and digital technology to create a safe, smart and sustainable living and working environment. A new energy-efficient housing development is planned for the site which will incorporate innovative ideas in low-carbon design and construction to support greener living. Cllr Tim Cheetham, Barnsley Council’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture said: “Our plans are bold and aim to push current boundaries and use technology, data and high- quality design to create a vibrant neighbourhood where people can live, work, learn and explore new ideas.” 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:37 Page 2Armstrong house Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN31 2QE Tel: (01472) 310301 Email: s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Superb Location - - Close to the ports of Grimsby & Immingham - Great motorway links - Close to the town centre Secure off street parking High speed internet availability A range of affordable office sizes 3 3 3 3 Last remaining office suites Prime location in Grimsby Offering a prime position in Grimsby, Armstrong House on Armstrong Street is ideally located. Close to the ports of Grimsby and Immingham, motorway links and the town centre, off-street parking is also available for all staff and visitors, meaning it’s convenient too. Our spacious, welcoming offices are located on the ground floor and are both secure and CCTV-monitored, giving you the ultimate peace of mind. At Armstrong House, when it comes to affordability and with a range of office sizes there are opportunities for all types of business. If you require virtual office services, prices start from just £15 per month. For more information, or to discuss your office requirements call 01472 310301. 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:37 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 15 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Lincolnshire has also been investing in new, green facilities and in Scunthorpe town centre plans have been given the go ahead for a revolutionary new high-street concept, a new enterprise and innovation hub, paving the way for a radical shift in the way people use the town centre. Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council and Towns Fund Board Member, said: “This is an important milestone in the latest plans to create a new future for Scunthorpe’s town centre and evidence of levelling-up happening here. The innovation hub is one of several projects being delivered to transform Scunthorpe and create a different future. The schemes, backed by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, come with more than £30m investment through the Towns Fund and Future High Streets Fund. North East Lincolnshire has been focusing on re-evaluating the environment and working on improving sustainability within the territory. In Grimsby Town Centre, work on a key project to improve the water quality of the River Freshney has recently been completed. Specialist contractor, Ebsford Environmental, were appointed to undertake dredging of the river between West Haven Maltings opposite Frederick Ward Way and the ABP pumping station. Dredging this section of the riverbed has allowed the water to flow much more freely in the town centre section of the river, with the channel depth now around 1.8m. Established vegetation has been maintained for the benefit of wildlife in the area. Cllr Stewart Swinburn, Cabinet member for the environment, said: “This work has been done as one of the final stages of the Garth Lane project, one that’s already seen a major site in the centre of Grimsby transformed into a lovely natural area.” It is clear that both Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are working very hard to reach UK’s net zero ambitions and have been utilizing the commercial property market as a tool to improve the quality of life and sustainability while still investing in exciting, promising new opportunities for the communities. 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:37 Page 416 Business Link www.blmforum.net PETROCHEMICALS SPOTLIGHT 16-20.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:39 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 PETROCHEMICALS SPOTLIGHT © stock.adobe.com/photollurg With a significant carbon footprint, the petrochemical industry must adapt as the region sets its sights on a more sustainable future. W hile the region, country, and world throw their support behind the renewables sector, the petrochemical industry as a crucial contributor to industrial energy remains important to ensure we avoid an energy deficit. In addition, of course, petrochemicals are found across a wide range of vital products, from clothing to plastics, packaging, detergents, wind turbine blades and more; almost all the major manufacturing chains need petrochemicals to function. But with an increasing awareness of the environmental damage the energy intensive industry and petrochemically produced products (primarily plastics) have, what does the future 18 Á 16-20.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:39 Page 218 Business Link www.blmforum.net PETROCHEMICALS SPOTLIGHT hold for petrochemicals? Will the industry be able to meet the critical challenges of clamours to address its considerable carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions in manufacturing petrochemicals, and strong views on their use of fossil fuels? One thing is for certain, though demand for petrochemicals is expected to grow, the sector will need to significantly decrease its associated emissions and impact on natural resources. As an industry that is evolving constantly, investing in new technologies and processes to make efficiency improvements and reduce costs, it seems the industry is ready for this change, with a visible focus on tackling its carbon footprint. Supporting a sustainable future Though petrochemicals are found everywhere, in a vast variety of products, even having applications in clean technologies for green energy, the production, use, and disposal of petrochemical-derived products engenders substantial sustainability challenges. With climate-neutral ambitions, it is essential the petrochemical industry - which is forecast by the International Energy Agency to become the largest driver of oil demand, making up almost 50 percent of the growth by 2050 - adapts, and indeed it has already begun this journey. The industry is taking steps forward in its emissions and energy use with improvements in manufacturing processes, energy efficiency and enhanced product performance - aka creating products that in their lifetime reduce energy consumption, including insulation for construction, solar panels, and lightweight plastics. Additionally, improvements are being made in managing water resources efficiently, minimising use, and preventing water pollution. With cutting greenhouse gas emissions vital to the future of the industry, companies are looking to existing and new technologies like electric crackers, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage. Many companies are adopting the first of these as a key initiative, electrifying one of the most energy- consuming processes in the industry, steam crackers (a petrochemical plant that breaks down feedstocks such as ethane and naphtha), which typically rely on fossil fuel combustion to heat furnaces. Moreover, by utilising renewable electricity to heat steam cracker furnaces there is further potential to decarbonise the industry. One area projects are focused on is illustrating how use of electric naphtha crackers can make a significant contribution towards CO2 reductions, facilitate a sustainable production process for raw materials for plastics (e.g. polyethylene and polypropylene) and the wider petrochemical industry, and how these can completely replace the commonplace, energy and fossil fuel intensive naphtha crackers. Coolbrook’s Roto Dynamic Reactor (RDR) technology, for example, eliminates CO2 emissions with use of renewable energy. Where traditionally a cracker heats naphtha through the walls of the furnace coils, meaning the entire furnace has to be heated, which is highly energy intensive, electrically driven RDR technology heats naphtha through the movements of a rotor, accelerating the naphtha in the reactor above the speed of sound, with the shock wave that is then generated causing the conversion of the kinetic energy into heat, which makes the final cracking possible. The tech is said to provide up to 20 percent more ethylene 16-20.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:39 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 PETROCHEMICALS SPOTLIGHT Units 4b & 4c, Harpings Road, National Avenue, Kingston-upon-Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire HU5 4JF Tel: +44 (0)1482 440222 Email: esales@eyh.co.uk Web: www.eyh.co.uk eyh .co.uk EAST YORKSHIRE HYDRAULICS Hydraulic engineering - design, build, installation and service. • Complete hydraulic systems • Installation and commissioning • Hydro-pneumatic accumulators • Hydraulic equipment • Cylinders Single Source Hydraulic Solutions Design, build, installation and service of hydraulic systems, cylinders, accumulators and equipment. output than a traditional cracker, contribute to the energy transition, and make traditional industry and plastic production more sustainable with the elimination of CO2 emissions and 30 percent reduction of energy consumption, which also brings down costs. Implementing carbon capture and storage/utilisation projects is another key initiative to lessen the industry’s carbon footprint, particularly where decarbonisation through process changes remain some time away. Making its way to the forefront as a technology that can help lower the impact of petrochemicals, emissions generated in production can be mitigated with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during manufacturing and 20 Á © stock.adobe.com/weerapong 16-20.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:39 Page 4Next >