UK Manufacturer Achieves Carbon Negative Status in 2025. A Major Milestone for the Industry.

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Hollingworth Design Limited (HDL) reports carbon intensity far below industry averages, setting a new benchmark for sustainable manufacturing.

In a significant breakthrough for sustainable industry, Hollingworth Design Limited (HDL) has announced it achieved carbon negative operations in 2025, marking a major milestone for the UK manufacturing sector.

According to the company’s latest carbon report, HDL recorded a carbon intensity of -55 kg CO₂ per £1 million revenue, dramatically outperforming the UK light manufacturing average of 15,000-30,000 kg CO₂ per £1 million.

What Does Carbon Negative Mean?

Being carbon negative means a company removes more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits. HDL achieved this through a combination of low direct emissions, renewable energy use, and carbon offsetting.

How HDL Did It

HDL’s results were driven by several key initiatives:

  • 100% green electricity tariff, reducing Scope 2 emissions to zero.
  • Fully electric vehicle fleet, eliminating fuel-based transport emissions.
  • Minimal direct emissions, with only 397 kg CO₂ generated annually.
  • Carbon offsetting, including the purchase of verified carbon credits.

Without renewable energy, HDL’s emissions would have exceeded 64,000 kg CO₂ annually, highlighting the importance of energy sourcing in decarbonisation.

Why This Matters

The manufacturing sector is traditionally carbon-intensive, making HDL’s achievement particularly noteworthy. By reaching carbon negative status, the company demonstrates that deep decarbonisation is possible even in industrial operations.

This milestone also sends a strong signal to suppliers, customers, and policy makers that net-zero, and beyond, is achievable today with the right strategies.

Looking ahead

While HDL’s current reporting focuses on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, the company acknowledges the importance of tackling Scope 3 emissions across the supply chain, a challenge shared across the industry.

As pressure mounts for businesses to meet climate targets, HDL’s 2025 performance sets a powerful precedent for what sustainable manufacturing can look like in practice.

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