NEWS 12 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS July/August 2026 www.hpmag.co.uk country’s net zero ambitions.” At the heart of the HyDecarb project is a dual-innovation approach that mimics the exact conditions found in ageing UK factories, allowing for accurate, real-world testing: The furnace: A 20-year-old industrial furnace will be overhauled by Therser UKand converted to operate on any blend of natural gas and hydrogen. The hydrogen source: To feed the furnace, the AMRC will integrate a gas decarbonisation unit from Sheffieldbased cleantech pioneer, Suiso, which generates a hydrogen/natural gas blend to power the furnace. Suiso’s proprietary microwave pyrolysis technology decarbonises natural gas at the point of use by separating methane into hydrogen and solid carbon. By removing the carbon before combustion, the system enables industrial users to significantly reduce CO 2 emissions while continuing to utilise existing gas infrastructure. The carbon is captured in a solid form rather than being released as atmospheric CO 2 . This solid carbon is then upgraded by Suiso into high-value activated carbon, used globally for water purification and air filtration. This circular approach turns a carbon liability into a commercial asset, a key factor in the AMRC’s selection ofthe technology. Stuart McKnight, CEO of Suiso, said: “We are grateful to the AMRC for their confidence in our technology and for deploying it in their operations today and helping drive its adoption across the industries they support over time. “This project marks a significant milestone in the transition to costeffective, low-carbon industrial processes. Converting emissions into value is what we do at Suiso.” Matthew Pound, sales director of Therser UK, said: “Working alongside the AMRC and Suiso, we are helping to create a practical, scalable route for energy-intensive industries to reduce emissions, de-risk investment decisions and accelerate progress towards net-zero manufacturing. “By converting an existing industrial furnace to operate on hydrogen and natural gas blends, we are demonstrating how proven manufacturing assets can be adapted rather than replaced.” The AMRC’s HyDecarb capability reinforces Sheffield’s position as the UK’s hub for green manufacturing. By lowering the barrier to entry for hydrogen adoption and making research accessible to all, the AMRC is ensuring that the region’s manufacturing ecosystem remains at the forefront of the global race to net zero. The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), has launched a new Robot Experience Centre (REC) designed to help UK manufacturers accelerate the adoption of robotics and automation technologies. Located at MTC’s Ansty Park site in Coventry, the new centre has been supported by Innovate UK through the High Value Manufacturing Catapult. The vendor-neutral facility will enable manufacturers to explore, test and validate robotics solutions before making investment decisions. The REC comprises three dedicated areas: a modular automation and robotics sandpit for project development and experimentation; a demonstration space for applications including welding, palletising and machine tending; and a collaborative robot development area. Alongside access to robot and automation technologies, the centre will offer training and expert support to help businesses build skills, increase confidence and successfully implement automation solutions. The initiative has been developed to address the persistent barriers to robotics adoption across UK manufacturing, particularly among SMEs, where challenges around skills, procurement and implementation continue to hinder deployment. A new training programme – Robotics and Automation Adoption for Small to Medium Sized Enterprises – will provide practical guidance on evaluating, MTC launches new Robot Experience Centre to accelerate UK automation adoption
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