Author: Kelly Marshall-Hill

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Future-proofing the gas industry – Luxfer’s Sally Jollands describes her ambitions as Chair of the BCGA Future Leaders Committee

The newly appointed Chair of the British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA)’s Future Leaders’ Committee (FLC) has been named as Luxfer’s Global Key Account Manager, Sally Jollands.This influential group champions innovation and knowledge-sharing among emerging leaders in the gas industry. We spoke to Sally about her vision for the committee, her career journey, and what this appointment means for the future of the sector.

Congratulations, Sally! Firstly, please tell us a bit about your career history?After studying French and Spanish at the University of Nottingham, I initially worked in translation, but quickly realised it wasn’t for me. I moved into sales and joined Luxfer Gas Cylinders in May 2018 – and I’ve loved working here ever since. I’ve since progressed from Inside Sales Manager to my current role as Global Key Account Manager. My degree hasn’t completely gone to waste though, as I love brushing up on my languages when I chat to our French and Spanish-speaking clients.

How did you first get involved with the BCGA Future Leaders Committee?I’ve been engaged in the BCGA since I attended my first conference about five years ago, and I was fortunate enough to receive a special mention in the BCGA Rising Star Award in 2023. I joined the Future Leaders Committee when it was launched, around three or four years ago. At first, meetings were occasional, but over time the committee developed. When the previous Chairs stepped down, I saw it as an opportunity to develop my career, share what we do at Luxfer and be an ambassador for young people in the gas industry – so I applied.

What was the process to become Chair?It’s quite structured. You submit a statement answering questions, provide your background, and then have your application countersigned by a BCGA member. Following that, I was invited for an interview, which went well. As a result, I was recommended to the BCGA council and officially appointed in late 2025.

What are your priorities as Chair?The committee’s purpose is to futureproof the gas industry. Many experienced professionals are approaching retirement, so it is important that we are continually transferring knowledge to the next generation.My primary goal is to launch a mentoring programme to pair future leaders with experienced professionals. This way their knowledge, skills and passion can continue to thrive for generations to come.I also hope to ensure at least one member of the FLC sits on each of the BCGA’s ten technical sub-committees. This will be an important step to ensure the next generation have input and understanding of the industry regulations. Having visited association conferences in other parts of the world, I think there are opportunities to build stronger links with associations like the CGA, EIGA, and perhaps to even support the Middle East Gas Association to set up their own FLC.

How has mentoring impacted your own career?I ‘have a mentor at Luxfer, and it’s been invaluable to share my experience and receive insights and guidance. I want others in the industry to access that same support. The plan is to pair future leaders with experienced gas professionals based on the type of training or experience they’re looking to tap into.

So, what makes a great future leader in this industry?Someone motivated to drive change, progress within their company, and help the industry thrive. It’s about curiosity, collaboration, and commitment to learning.For anyone under 45 or new to the gas industry, I’d encourage you to get involved with the FLC and see where it can take you.

What’s next for the Future Leaders Committee?It’s full steam ahead as I’ll be chairing the first FLC meeting of 2026 at the end of January, and we’re already developing the agenda.We’ll hold two online meetings and one in-person meeting at the BCGA conference each year. I’m also keen to showcase case studies of people who have succeeded in the industry, so members can learn from real experiences.

Luxfer congratulates Sally on this achievement and looks forward to seeing the positive impact she will make on the industry’s future. For more information on the FLC see: https://bcga.co.uk/future-leaders-committee/

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Luxfer Gas Cylinders wraps up a year of volunteering and fundraising with festive toy collection

Luxfer Gas Cylinders has rounded off a year of charitable initiatives with a Christmas toy collection for the Salvation Army, capping nearly 200 hours of volunteering and multiple fundraising events throughout 2025.

Employing more than 200 people at its Colwick site, the East Midlands manufacturer champions a culture of care and generosity through a formal volunteering programme, which gives employees paid time off to support charitable causes.

This year, colleagues rolled up their sleeves at Stonebridge City Farm and Gardens – a free-to-visit urban farm in Nottingham that relies on donations and volunteers to provide care for animals and educational fun for local children. The Luxfer team helped paint fences, move equipment, install signage, and restore the vital community space.

Green-fingered volunteers also supported Wollaton Hall and Deer Park, tackling weeding, clearing paths, and gardening at the iconic Grade I listed estate.

Most recently, Luxfer employees turned their attention to education, spending a day at Carlton Infant Academy to assist with school activities and games for children aged four to seven.

Alongside volunteering, Luxfer employees raised funds and awareness for causes close to their hearts. Highlights included:

• Collecting almost 40 toys for the Salvation Army to bring festive cheer to disadvantaged children• A 17-strong Luxfer crew completed a Tough Mudder challenge, with almost £1,000 in entry fees funded by the business• More than £100 raised through ‘Football Shirt Friday’ and a further £250 thanks to a bake sale for Breast Cancer Awareness• Senior staff shared personal stories for Movember, while wellbeing was promoted during Stress Awareness Week, with NHS advice and stress-relief giveaways shared company-wide.

Visitors to the Colwick site contributed too, donating to the ‘charity cylinder’ in the foyer – with Luxfer matching contributions to raise £300 for local causes. In addition, £1,750 was awarded by the organisation to support employees’ own personal charitable endeavours.

Katherine Rubin, Head of People and Culture at Luxfer Gas Cylinders, said: “This year our colleagues really went above and beyond to donate time, fundraise, bake cakes, buy toys and more, to make a difference to others in our local community.

“It was humbling to see so many individuals get involved, with a range of good causes reaping the benefits and thousands of pounds generated.

“Our paid volunteering scheme continues to be a fantastic way of giving back to causes we care about on our doorstep in Nottingham. A huge thank you goes to everyone at Luxfer for this year’s efforts, and to our partner charities who worked with us. We can’t wait to continue our fundraising and volunteering activities in 2026.”

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Building a greener future: Luxfer and PlusZero Power join forces for hydrogen trial with Balfour Beatty

Hydrogen salt spreaders in Scotland - equipped with Luxfer G-Stor® Pro Bundles - help deliver up to 28% reduction in carbon emissions in landmark Balfour Beatty project

In a powerful demonstration of how partnerships are paving the way to net zero, Luxfer Gas Cylinders, together with hydrogen specialists PlusZero Power have supported Balfour Beatty adopting green hydrogen as an alternative low carbon fuel.

Retrofitting heavy vehicles for hydrogen power

At the heart of the collaboration was a trial retrofitting three HGVs - two gritters and one Impact Protection vehicle - with dual fuel hybrid hydrogen technology. They operated during the 2024/25 winter on Scotland’s M77 GSO network.

PlusZero Power - the company responsible for delivering green hydrogen to Balfour Beatty’s depot south of Glasgow - commissioned Luxfer’s alternative fuel team to help. This resulted in its innovative multiple cylinder package (MCP), the G-Stor® Pro Bundle, providing the vital hydrogen storage and transport capability for the dual-fuel fleet.

The trial supported Balfour Beatty’s move to alternative low carbon fuel as part of its wider decarbonisation strategy. Hydrogen technology was of particular interest for larger, heavier vehicles and plant, which are unlikely to be able to run off from a battery due to the power demands of the equipment and the lack of grid capacity.

Balfour Beatty sees retrofit as a good way to test the technology and learn about hydrogen usage, whilst still allowing its vehicles to run fully on diesel if required. This approach also offers the opportunity for the hydrogen industry in Scotland to grow steadily yet rapidly, allowing meaningful reductions to be made while hybrid or fully hydrogen vehicles and plant become available through the supply chain.

Road-testing a bespoke on-site mobile refuelling solution

Benefits of the trial included a 28% reduction in vehicle emissions during a critical winter maintenance period. And it also delivered valuable insights into the practical deployment of hydrogen technology on a live, constrained road operation and maintenance depot – from storage efficiency and safety, to logistical design and commercial viability.

For PlusZero Power, the project aligns with its own mission to enable practical decarbonisation for its clients – drawing on the decades of experience from Luxfer engineers for a hydrogen storage solution fit for purpose.

“Balfour Beatty needed to trial a lower-risk, lower-emission solution using hydrogen-diesel dual fuel vehicles,” explains David Amos from PlusZero Power. “The vehicles can reduce carbon emissions by up to 30% compared to diesel alone. They’re a great transitional technology for companies not yet ready to go fully electric or hydrogen.”

To fuel the trial, PlusZero Power supplied green hydrogen produced by Aberdeen City Council’s ACHES facility and delivered it to site using Luxfer’s G-Stor® Pro Bundle – a composite cylinder pack offering a significantly higher gas capacity than the steel manifold packs previously used.

Smarter gas storage equals safer construction sites

Gas storage and site safety were paramount for Balfour Beatty. “Using the Luxfer G-Stor® Pro Bundle meant we could deliver much more hydrogen with a lower total weight and smaller footprint,” says David. “Each pack carried 44kg of hydrogen compared to just 17kg in steel options – all while being 400kg lighter. That had a huge positive impact on site logistics, frequency of deliveries and overall safety.”

The G-Stor® Pro Bundles’ composite build and horizontal cylinder layout offered further advantages. “It’s a lower-profile unit, which is more stable in transport and on-site,” David adds. “And fewer vehicle movements on site means reduced risk – something Balfour Beatty was very conscious of.”

The bundles from Luxfer Gas Cylinders were connected to a portable hydrogen refueller, which then filled the dual-fuel HGVs. “The system worked well overall,” says David. “And it has been really valuable to gather learnings along the way. With Luxfer, we have a proactive partner who is open to taking feedback on board and designing a system that will meet the specific needs of the project.

“From the very first gas fill, the Luxfer team was on-site, observing the process. They immediately identified that the valve placement could be improved, and set to work to optimise it. That responsiveness is exactly what you want in a partner. Luxfer’s R&D team clearly values real-world insights – and that gives us confidence as a customer.”

This specific trial – which is part of Balfour Beatty’s M77 Hydrogen Project - has now concluded, with the full findings published here.

Balfour Beatty intends to use the vehicles again for the 2025/26 winter season, to allow more intense testing of the equipment and further data collection.

Angela Pllu, Senior Environmental Sustainability Manager at Balfour Beatty, explains: “We are keen to develop our learning and understanding about hydrogen. Solutions like the G-Stor® bundles really help make hydrogen a more feasible option for our tightly constrained sites.”

Building the hydrogen ecosystem, together

The relationship between PlusZero Power and Luxfer Gas Cylinders is set to grow too.

“We’re already in discussions about two major construction projects, including one in the Western Isles of Scotland,” reveals David. “Those sites will have much higher hydrogen demand, so we’re looking at Luxfer’s larger G-Stor® Hydrosphere solution. We’ll need 20-foot or even 40-foot MEGCs to meet daily power needs, and Luxfer has the technology to do that.”

While financing such infrastructure can present a challenge, Luxfer’s G-Stor® hydrogen storage portfolio offers flexibility. David adds: “It was advantageous that Luxfer supported us with short-term rental options for the G-Stor® Pro Bundle and they are working hard to create viable leasing models for larger assets. That commercial agility – paired with their willingness to collaborate and adapt – makes them a standout supplier.”

Projects of this nature form part of a broader shift across the UK construction sector. With government policy, industrial targets, and client demands all driving decarbonisation, hydrogen is rapidly becoming a serious contender for temporary power and vehicle fuel on construction sites.

“Balfour Beatty – and other major firms in the industry – are investing time and money into understanding hydrogen’s potential,” says David. “From gritters to diggers, refuelling to remote generation, a construction-site hydrogen ecosystem is emerging. The sector will need safe, efficient storage – and that’s where Luxfer comes in.”

As for why PlusZero Power sees Luxfer as a long-term partner? “It’s not just about the product – though quality matters, of course,” concludes David. “It’s the relationship. They’re not the cheapest, but they are the most collaborative and customer focused. And when we’re talking about assets that could cost millions over the coming years, that makes all the difference.”

Key results of the trial with Balfour Beatty

The key performance results from the trial are shown in the table below:

While the IPV appeared to use relatively low rates of hydrogen, this still had a good impact in the overall efficiency of the vehicle, although more intense trials are required during winter 2025/26 to understand if this is the case.

Enabling hydrogen into the future

Luxfer Gas Cylinders Europe Vice President and General Manager, Mark Lawday, is conscious of the challenges faced by operators seeking to use the clean fuel, and the projected demand for clean hydrogen by 2030, estimated at 12 to 18 metric tonnes per year globally based on current pipeline of publicly announced projects.

“The takeaway is that with such increased anticipated volumes of hydrogen production, transporting the gas to where it’s needed – safely, cost effectively and efficiently – is fundamental to the entire ecosystem” said Mark. “And, with the G-Stor® portfolio, Luxfer Gas Cylinders is pioneering solutions that advance hydrogen storage capabilities and enable clients to harness hydrogen’s potential.”

Find out how our G-Stor® Pro Bundles can help to power your green projects here

G-Stor Hydrosphere high capacity hydrogen storage solution

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Luxfer Gas Cylinders partners with Reynolds Logistics to support HyHaul hydrogen corridor

Luxfer Gas Cylinders has been commissioned to supply its high-capacity hydrogen storage systems to support the UK’s first dedicated hydrogen mobility corridor along the M4.

As part of the Hydrogen Aggregated UK Logistics Project (HyHaul), specialist bulk liquid and gas transport company Reynolds Logistics will deploy Luxfer’s G-Stor® Hydrosphere Multiple Element Gas Containers (MEGCs).

The 40ft MEGCs have been chosen for their pioneering 380 bar hydrogen storage and significant 1012kg hydrogen capacity. Manufactured at Luxfer’s bespoke Nottingham facility, these units allow for the most efficient transport of hydrogen, designed with fewer cylinders, valves and connections than was previously possible.

HyHaul, led by Protium and supported by over £30 million in Department for Transport (DfT) and Innovate UK funding, will bring together leading technologies in sustainable logistics. The project will deploy 30 hydrogen fuel cell HGVs along the M4 corridor, supported by three new hydrogen refuelling stations.

“Luxfer is pleased to partner with Reynolds for the supply of our G-Stor® Hydrosphere MEGCs,” said Mark Lawday, VP and General Manager at Luxfer Gas Cylinders. "HyHaul is an important demonstration of how advanced hydrogen transport solutions can be applied to enable adoption at scale.”

Andrew Reynolds, CEO at Reynolds Logistics, adds: “This partnership with Luxfer is a cornerstone of our commitment to enabling the hydrogen economy. By investing in MEGCs, we’re securing critical infrastructure for HyHaul and ensuring our logistics model is future-ready, flexible, and aligned with the UK’s net-zero ambitions. We look forward to expanding this positive partnership as the HyHaul project rolls out.”

HyHAUL is funded by the UK Government through the £200 million Department for Transport’s (DfT) Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme. It aims to deploy 30 hydrogen-powered HGVs by 2026, with a long-term goal of expanding to 300 vehicles by 2030.

The G-Stor® Hydrosphere is available from Luxfer Gas Cylinders in 20-ft, 40-ft and 45-ft units. For more information visit: https://www.luxfercylinders.com/product/g-stor-hydrosphere/

To learn more about Luxfer Gas Cylinders’ alternative fuels portfolio, visit: https://www.luxfercylinders.com/market/alternative-fuel/