Nellie Launches Point Source Carbon Capture Pilot
Nellie Technologies has commissioned its first industrial point source carbon capture pilot at the WEPA paper mill in Bridgend, South Wales, marking a significant step in the company’s development of scalable, biogenic carbon removal systems for industrial applications.
The installation, deployed on Earth Day 2026, uses Nellie’s proprietary PhycoTank™ technology, adapted for use in an industrial environment, to capture carbon dioxide directly from site emissions. The captured carbon is then processed at Nellie’s nearby facility, where it is converted into stable biochar for long-term storage.
This pilot builds on Nellie’s existing direct air capture (DAC) and biochar operations in South Wales, extending the application of its technology into point source integration within a live industrial setting. The system has been designed for modular deployment, with a compact footprint, enabling integration into existing infrastructure without major disruption.
The project will operate for an initial six-month period, providing critical data on system performance, integration, and operational requirements in an industrial context. At scale, the technology has the potential to contribute to emissions reduction strategies across hard-to-abate sectors.
This deployment represents a first-of-its-kind biogenic point source carbon capture pilot in the UK at this scale, demonstrating the practical application of biological systems in industrial decarbonisation.
The project has been supported by Innovate UK and reflects the strength of collaboration within the South Wales industrial ecosystem.
South Wales continues to play a critical role in the UK’s industrial landscape, with a strong legacy in manufacturing and heavy industry. This project highlights the region’s ongoing relevance, demonstrating how existing skills, infrastructure, and industrial capability can be applied to emerging decarbonisation technologies.
Stephen Milburn, CEO of Nellie Technologies, said:
“It’s a significant step to see our technology applied to a live industrial emissions source. We’ve already demonstrated the system in operation, and this project builds on that by integrating it directly within an industrial process. It reflects the work of a multidisciplinary team bringing together engineering, biology, and industrial integration, and demonstrates how practical, scalable approaches to decarbonisation can be deployed within UK industry.”
A WEPA spokesperson commented:
“WEPA continues to take a proactive approach to reducing the environmental impact of its operations. This pilot reflects our ongoing commitment to exploring innovative technologies that can support our decarbonisation efforts.”
Nellie will use the results of the pilot to inform further development and deployment of its point source capture systems, as it continues to expand its work across industrial decarbonisation and carbon removal.
