HUHTAMÄKI OYJ PRESS RELEASE 10.1.2022 AT 09:00
Huhtamaki China takes its first step towards Huhtamaki's group target of using 100% renewable energyby 2030 by installing and commissioning solar panels
Huhtamaki has taken a significant first step in China towards its global sustainability ambitions by installing and commissioning its first solar panel arrays at its factories in Guangzhou and Shanghai and successfully connecting these to the electricity grid on January 1, 2022.
With a total 47,000 m2 of solar panels installed, the scheme is expected to generate 3,000,000 KWH per year, covering an initial 10% of the two factories' energy use, and reducing emissions by 2,374 tonnes CO2 annually. The project, which utilizes the latest Monocrystalline Silicon Cell technology, was carried out in partnership with ZSEN New Energy.
As a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions, Huhtamaki aims to use of 100% renewable electricity and deliver carbon neutral production across all its global operations by 2030.
"Huhtamaki's targets to combat climate change are validated and approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. The solar power China project is another significant step towards Huhtamaki's sustainability ambitions for 2030, building on the European VPPA agreement announced late in 2021. We believe our ability to reach our group target will be made possible by implementing solutions which make sense locally. Installing and commissioning our first solar panels at two of our four Chinese factories is an example of how we are making progress towards our group goals through a local initiative which makes a real difference in cutting back emissions and helping our ambition to achieve carbon neutrality," says Thomasine Kamerling, Executive Vice President, Sustainability and Communications.
China is striving to hit CO2 emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Rooftop solar installation plays an important role in substituting renewable energy for fossil fuels and cutting carbon emissions in China.
"Huhtamaki supports China's transition toward a low-carbon economy. Switching to renewable energy further strengthens our commitment to China by providing sustainable food packaging solutions to protect food, Chinese people and environment," said Daniel Chen, SVP Greater China, Fiber Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania.
For further information, please contact:
Arto Gröndahl, Media Relations Manager, tel. +358 10 686 7107
HUHTAMÄKI OYJ
Global Communications
About Huhtamaki
Huhtamaki is a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions for consumers around the world, enabling wellbeing and convenience. Our innovative products protect on-the-go and on-the-shelf food and beverages, ensuring hygiene and safety, and help prevent food waste. We embed sustainability in everything we do. We are committed to achieving carbon neutral production and designing all our products to be recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2030.
We are a participant in the UN Global Compact and EcoVadis has awarded Huhtamaki with the Gold medal for performance in sustainability. To play our part in managing climate change, we have set science-based targets that have been approved and validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.
With 100 years of history and a strong Nordic heritage we operate in 36 countries and 84 sites around the world. Our values Care Dare Deliver guide our decisions and help our team of 19,400 employees make a difference where it matters. Our 2020 net sales totaled EUR 3.3 billion. Huhtamaki Group is headquartered in Espoo, Finland and our parent company, Huhtamäki Oyj, is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. Find out more about how we are protecting food, people and the planet on www.huhtamaki.com.
