Leading the way – our plants and plans for the future

In April 2024, cabinet approved a new business proposal which saw us invest in a specialist pyrolysis company to help our understanding of, and involvement in, the carbon dioxide removal credits market. This agreement is the first of its kind for any council in the UK.

The move represents significant action towards a carbon net-zero future using cutting-edge technology.

It doesn’t just promise to help reach our ambitious climate goals; it also offers a viable financial return on investment. This technology sets a new standard in efficiency and cost-effectiveness, providing a scalable model that can be adopted widely to maximize both environmental and economic benefits. 

The company, named BioDynamic Carbon Ltd, is a joint venture between Shropshire Council and Carbon Hill Ltd, which is based in Powys.

Our first pyrolysis unit near Welshpool in Powys will be was manufactured and operated by Woodtek Engineering Ltd and it started producing biochar earlier this year (2025).

We also have a second site for biochar production at the former anaerobic digestion plant on Coder Road Business Park, on the outskirts of Ludlow. This site has recently been granted planning permission and work will soon begin to start building the plant, which should be operational by early 2026.

This is just the start though, and as a council we're planning more pyrolysis plants within Shropshire with the aim of becoming an area of expertise for biochar in much the same way as Ludlow was a pioneer for the anaerobic digestion industry. In time we'll be engaging with businesses who can benefit from the carbon negative energy and the environmentally friendly products we will create.