A Rochdale-based water treatment specialist is among a select group of Greater Manchester firms heading to Bosch’s hydrogen headquarters in Germany to tackle barriers to clean energy.
Salt Separation Services Ltd will represent Rochdale in a delegation of eight businesses taking part in a pioneering initiative to accelerate hydrogen adoption in the UK.
The visit is part of a challenge set by GM Business Growth Hub, Green Economy, Bosch GmbH, and Manchester Metropolitan University. It aims to overcome key issues holding back the UK’s hydrogen economy, such as a shortage of system integrators, small-scale electrolyser projects, and limited demand from major buyers.
Janine Smith, Director of GM Business Growth Hub, said: “Hydrogen presents a massive economic opportunity for Greater Manchester and the wider UK. Supporting businesses to get in on the ground floor helps them to start innovating faster.”
The Greater Manchester delegation will gain rare access to Bosch’s hydrogen centre in Germany, as part of the region’s wider ambition to become a global leader in hydrogen technology and reach carbon neutrality by 2038.
The UK Government estimates that hydrogen could unlock more than 12,000 jobs and £11 billion in investment nationally. Bosch UK’s Chris Lake said the mission represents “an excellent idea” and a chance to create a thriving supply chain across Greater Manchester.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham welcomed the partnership, saying: “Hydrogen is one of the focus areas of our growing relationship with Germany, and we look forward to seeing these businesses take this relationship forward while creating good growth, new jobs and opportunities for our residents.”
The trip comes as Greater Manchester Combined Authority prepares to launch a refreshed Hydrogen Strategy for 2025 to 2030. Led by Manchester Metropolitan University, it will map out the city-region’s activities and provide a roadmap for investors, businesses, government, and academic institutions.
The businesses were selected by a panel from MMU’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell Innovation Centre, the Growth Hub, and Bosch GmbH. The full list includes:
- Salt Separation Services Ltd (Rochdale) – specialists in reverse osmosis water systems
- Op-tec Systems (Stockport) – industrial automation experts
- Industrial Switchgear Services Ltd (Hyde) – power engineering contractors
- RedGray Engineering Ltd (Stretford) – medical and industrial gas installers
- KANE International (Atherton) – manufacturers of flue and engine exhaust analysers
- Packaged Heat Ltd (Ashton-under-Lyne) – heat exchanger manufacturers
- Endress+Hauser Ltd (Wythenshawe) – instrumentation and automation suppliers
- Oldham Engineering Ltd (Oldham) – manufacturing and project management
Amer Gaffar, Director of Industrial Strategy Partnerships at MMU, said: “Hydrogen represents a transformative force for clean energy. Through our partnership we’re empowering local SMEs to tap into this opportunity.”
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