A £1million upgrade of the biomass heating system at board, doors and fittings manufacturer Hill’s Panel Products (HPP), is underway to make the company greener and more efficient.

Work to install two new, more powerful and efficient boilers, plus extractors, at the Oldham-based business has started.

The system is expected to be fully operational by the autumn.

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The boilers use wood waste, otherwise destined for landfill, to heat the door production and panel production warehouses, and soon the manufacturing process for doors.

Marketing and business development director of HPP Dan Mounsey said: “Our infrastructure was ageing so we wanted to update it for greener, more efficient options.

“These new boilers will reduce our carbon footprint to the point that we don’t use any fossil fuels to heat those warehouses at all.

“The big difference between old and new is the new feature ceramic filters that extract exhaust gases before they leave the boiler.

“It means the emissions are much lower, which is better for the environment, while creating more heat output.”

Both installations involve logistical and production challenges, especially in the panel production area, where a wall will have to be demolished to remove of the old boiler in September.

However, production schedules have been adapted to keep disruption to a minimum, and HPP’s chief engineer Colin Taylor added: “We’re working with the installers to ensure the project runs as smoothly as possible.”

HPP has recently celebrated 30 years of trading and having been established in 1991 with a 11,000sqft unit, it now boasts 11 units measuring over 250,000sqft, plus a second distribution centre in Sheffield.

It joined the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) programme – set up to minimise the effects of climate change – when it launched almost 10 years ago.

The scheme works by rewarding firms with financial support when they employ renewable energy technologies.