THE WHAT? Unilever is piloting the use of hydrogen to power one of its UK-based factories, according to a report published by Bloomberg.

THE DETAILS The manufacturer of Dove will be one of the first businesses to take part in the scheme, named HyNet North West, which hopes to see hydrogen piped to homes and businesses in northern England from 2026.

Unilever’s Port Sunlight facility will be the first to test the viability of the project.

THE WHY? The initiative is part of a wider move to reduce reliance on fossil fuels for environmental reasons as well as to circumnavigate soaring gas prices.