Huhtamaki China pursues solar power solutions after major panel installation

11 Jan 2022 --- Huhtamaki China has installed 47,000 square meters of solar panels at two of its facilities, in what it calls a “significant first step” in its ambition to achieve 100% renewable energy usage by 2030.

The panels were connected on January 1 at the company’s factories in Guangzhou and Shanghai. The scheme is expected to generate 3,000,000 KWH per year, covering an initial 10% of the two factories’ energy use, and reducing 2,374 tons of carbon emissions annually.

The project, which utilizes Monocrystalline Silicon Cell technology, was carried out in partnership with ZSEN New Energy.

A Huhtamaki spokesperson tells PackagingInsights the installation is the beginning of the Finland-based fiber-packaging specialist’s investigation into solar solutions for renewable energy usage.

“We will proactively investigate the latest technology developments and evaluate possibilities for potential system upgrades to improve efficiency.”

Chinese advances
The Chinese installation follows Huhtamaki’s signing of what it says is the largest virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) in the European packaging industry with energy company BayWa r.e. Signed last year, the VPPA covers 80% of the company’s entire European energy usage.

The panels will cover an initial 10% of the factories’ energy usage.The company is aiming to replicate this success in its China facilities.

“In China, there are mechanisms for power purchase agreements and renewable energy credit. Ultimately, we will investigate and use a range of solutions in the country,” says the spokesperson.

Policy arrangements in the country, while different from those of Europe, will not present obstacles to Huhtamaki’s renewable energy targets, they say.

“The utilization of renewable energy sources differs between jurisdictions, but we do not see barriers that will prevent us moving toward our 2030 ambitions. Recently in China, the ministries have released the five-year action plan of solar energy industry innovation and development (2021-2025) to further encourage the growth of renewable energy.”

Science-based targets
As part of Huhtamaki’s 2030 sustainability strategy, it has committed to science-based reduction targets that have been validated and approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.

This commitment dictates reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 27.5% by 2030. Huhtamaki has also committed to reducing GHG emissions from end-of-life treatment of sold products by 13.5% within the same timeframe, and ensuring that 70% of its suppliers – by spending covering purchased goods and services – will have science-based targets by 2026.

Last year, the company announced it would be acquiring Elif, a flexible packaging supplier to global FMCG brand owners with operations in Turkey and Egypt, for €412 million (US$483 million).

Huhtamaki CEO Charles Héaulmé also recently spoke about the superiority of recycling packaging waste in comparison with composting.

By Louis Gore-Langton

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