Huhtamaki Packaging has made a ground-breaking agreement with another firm, acquiring up to 1GW of renewable energy from photovoltaics.
This unprecedented arrangement is sure to provide immense value for both businesses and their stakeholders going forward.
The agreement will see them committing €40 million over 5 years to fuel the purchase of solar panels, an investment expected to reap a return greater than 3% per annum.
Huhtamaki - The Business
Huhtamaki is a leading global manufacturer specialising in plastic packaging. Founded in 1920 as a Finnish food service and paper packaging company, Huhtamaki began entering the plastic market space in the 1950s. Today, this company is responsible for manufacturing an array of products such as food containers, cups, lids, cutlery, and straws from various materials such as PET and HDPE. With an expansive network of 80 production sites operating worldwide, Huhtamaki’s operations are constantly pushing forward sustainability efforts for plastic packaging to help create zero-waste communities across the world.
In addition to providing durable and cost-effective plastic products to its customers, the company also offers advanced technologies to offer recyclable and biodegradable solutions for the future. Not only do they create products with exceptional performance characteristics but also strive to maintain global sustainability standards.
In recent years, Huhtamaki has placed greater emphasis on its renewable energy development efforts worldwide, ultimately aiming to reduce its carbon footprint. With over 100 years of experience in the industry, Huhtamaki continues to revolutionize the industry and lead the way in plastic industry innovation and sustainable packaging solutions.
The Solar Power Agreement
Huhtamaki recently settled on 200 GWh of agreements for its current usage in Europe. To ensure long-term stability, this agreement provides comprehensive coverage at a rate of 80%, helping to safeguard against energy supply disruptions and price volatility.
With the global population continuing to grow, energy consumption per capita has also become a pressing concern. This agreement works towards alleviating this issue while utilising fewer natural resources in production processes for a more sustainable future. These include oil products which may become scarce based upon global warming trends if not adequately compensated for by other means of generation, including renewable sources, such as solar.
According to BayWa r.e., the agreement is a significant step for both parties in their aim of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. It also shows what can be achieved within a short time frame! The president of Huhtamaki, Charles Héaulmé had this to say about the agreement: “We are fully committed to supporting the transition into creating a zero-carbon economy” In addition as part of its climate strategy there exists clear targets and plans to address all emissions from Huhtamaki’s current activities. The business is aiming for 100% renewable energy use by 2030 and its commitment to solar electricity and other renewable energy practices will help it achieve that aim.
The Plastic Packaging Industry - An Overview
Plastic packaging has become an integral part of most industries due to its flexibility and range of uses. Plastic packaging can be produced in a variety of forms and with a variety of materials depending on the requirements of the product or material being packaged. Plastic packaging can come in many shapes, sizes, colours, prints, and textures, making it possible to package virtually any item effectively.
The plastic packaging industry is seeing rapid growth due to its cost-efficiency and ability to protect products from damage during transit. Plastic packaging is also becoming increasingly popular due to its environmental benefits such as less waste production, long-lasting durability, and recyclability. Plastic packaging enables companies to increase their transport efficiencies by bulk packing items for transport, resulting in fewer individual packages being produced and less waste being generated.
Solar Power Usage in Production Businesses
Huhtamaki, along with other packaging companies are taking steps in reducing environmental impacts by accounting for and adapting energy usage. Last year SIG announced that they would use real-time wind power at their carton production sites in Germany while Essity has launched a pilot project replacing natural gas with green hydrogen. This is to enable CO2-free tissue production.
The Sun's energy is becoming an increasingly important resource for businesses and industries to reduce reliance on natural resources. Solar power has the potential to provide efficient, eco-friendly energy in different forms, including photovoltaic cells and solar thermal technologies.
Solar photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity and can be used for off-grid or grid-connected power supply. Solar thermal systems are primarily used for heating, cooling, and hot water in industrial settings. Solar energy can even be stored in batteries as a form of backup electricity, making it more reliable than ever before.
By utilising solar energy in business and industry, organisations can make a significant impact in reducing the need to extract natural resources from the environment that are rapidly depleting.
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