NEWS
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pladis has proposed closing its factory in Tollcross, Glasgow, and moving the production to other pladis sites within the UK; the Tollcross factory would cease operations in the second half of 2022. The decision is subject to thorough consultation with employees, the snacking specialist announced. The closure would put 468 jobs at risk. Pladis identified this facility for potential closure, “based on a comprehensive business analysis which considered several factors including utilization, volume and product mix,” according to the company’s statement. The reason for the proposal is to address excess capacity across pladis’ UK sites and ensure pladis can continue to invest in the future success of the business. David Murray, pladis UK & Ireland managing director who announced the consultation to employees, said: “We know this news will be difficult for our colleagues at Tollcross. Our
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AAK makes strong sustainability progress
AAK AB reports progress in its raw material sourcing and environmental-friendly solutions, while also reducing its environmental impact by decreasing energy consumption, water consumption and waste per processed unit raw material, as highlighted in its recently released Sustainability Report for 2020. The document outlines the three focus areas of the company's sustainability framework: Better Sourcing, Better Operations and Better Solutions. “It's a great pleasure for me to announce that we continue to see strong development within our sustainability activities and our contributions towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Johan Westman, president and CEO, AAK Group, in a statement. “There has been significant progress made within the sourcing of our raw materials and with regards to resource efficiency in our operations. Furthermore, we have strengthened our portfolio of solutions that are good for both people and planet.” The significant increase of women involved in Kolo Nafaso, AAK’s direct shea sourcing program in West Africa, has also been an important achievement for AAK in 2020. The program, which has a very positive impact on the women and their families, now involves more than 320,000 women, a 39% increase compared to 2019. AAK has also taken important steps on the journey towards sustainable palm, adopting a sourcing plan aiming for a palm oil supply chain that is 100% traceable to plantation and 100% verified deforestation-free by 2025. +++
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pladis evaluates closing Tollcross factory
priority now is to provide them with the support they need during the consultation process. […] We must take steps to address excess capacity in the UK. This overcapacity limits our ability to make the right investments in future capabilities to meet the very big changes in our industry.” +++
Bimbo Canada to offset 100% of its electricity consumption
Bimbo Canada signed two virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) with Renewable Energy Systems (RES) to procure renewable electricity that will offset 100% of the company’s electricity consumption in Canada. The projects are expected to be fully operational by December 2022. Canada is the second market, alongside the United States, to enter into VPPAs. These agreements, together with additional sustainability initiatives conducted around the world by the parent company Grupo Bimbo, will help the company offset 90% of its global electricity consumption. The 15-year agreements with RES will support the commercial development of two renewable energy projects in southern Alberta, consisting of wind and solar projects, totaling 170MW of installed capacity. Under these two agreements, Bimbo Canada will procure the benefit of approximately 50MW of renewable electricity to offset electricity consumption for its 16 bakeries, 14 distribution centers and 191 depots. Commercial development for the wind and solar farms will be finalized later this year by RES Canada and the projects are expected to be fully operational by the end of next year. In 2018, Grupo Bimbo joined RE100, a global initiative led by The Climate Group and in partnership with Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and committed to operating with 100% renewable electricity by 2025. “Bimbo Canada is committed to nourishing a better world through productive sustainability practices,” said Joe McCarthy, president of Bimbo Canada. “These agreements are the next big step in reducing our environmental footprint and becoming leaders in responsible stewardship of the environment.” +++ www.bakingbiscuit.com 03/2021
