​Process tanks at a former anaerobic digestion facility in Ludlow are being demolished as Shropshire Council prepares the site for a new pyrolysis plant. The work, being carried out by contractors, is expected to take between four and six weeks and will involve breaking up old concrete bases beneath the redundant tanks.

The Coder Road Business Park site is being redeveloped to host a facility designed to create biochar, which is a form of charcoal produced by heating organic material at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. Unlike conventional incineration, this method locks carbon into a stable form rather than releasing it into the atmosphere.

Biochar is increasingly seen as a green innovation because it stores carbon that would otherwise contribute to climate change. It can also improve soil fertility, help retain water, and reduce the need for chemical fertilisers when used in agriculture. Beyond farming, biochar has potential applications in construction materials and industrial processes, where its porous structure and durability provide a range of benefits.

Shropshire Council has signed a contract to operate the plant once construction is complete. The authority says the project is intended not only to deliver environmental advantages but also to generate an additional income stream that can support local services. By producing renewable energy alongside biochar, the facility will contribute towards reducing the council's net carbon emissions.

Officials emphasise that while some noise is expected during the demolition stage, measures are being taken to keep disruption to a minimum. The development represents a shift from a disused energy site to one intended to provide both economic and environmental gains.

The project is part of wider efforts to invest in sustainable technologies that can deliver long-term climate benefits while supporting local communities.