2020-07-06
Reducing our climate impact through energy efficient buildings
In addition to the efficiency of our production processes, the quality of our buildings have an impact on the CO2 emissions in our opreations. In all new projects and major fit-outs, where possible, we now aim for Gold level certification from LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a leading international certification standard. Even when we choose a small office, energy efficiency and accredidation of the building is a key deciding factor.
For example, in July 2019, we inaugurated Vietnam's first-ever aseptic carton packaging material factory in Binh Duong (pictured, with factory team). Our eighth factory in the Asia Pacific region, the €120 million new facility has an expandable capacity of 20 billion packs per annum to supply both domestic and export markets in ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand. It is one of the first factories in Vietnam to be certified Gold according to the latest, most demanding LEED Version 4 certification. (See the annotated image, left, for an overview.)
Additionally, our factory in Chakan, India is currently in the process of renewing its LEED Gold certification. Certification is also under way for parts of our factories in Kunshan and Hohhot in China, and Modena in Italy.
In October 2019, we opened our new head office in Shanghai, China. Again, energy efficiency of our buildings was key to the choice of building and fit-out. Located within a LEED Platinum-rated development, the newly remodelled 7,600 sq m office has been awarded LEED Gold certification for its interior design and construction.
Also in October 2019, we announced the opening of a €25 million site with sales, engineering and manufacturing facilities for cheese production solutions in Olsztyn, north-eastern Poland. The site was designed and constructed in full compliance with requirements laid out by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), another well known and respected international standard.