The seasons are turning, and we continue our sustainability journey into spring. The local woods are starting to burst with life, which only serves to underline the importance of this green project from the team at Proactive Publications.
Managing Director
John White
Editor
Phil Nicholls
Feature Writers
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Development Manager
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Research Editors
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Matt Spalding
Sales Director
Richard Brightmore
Sales Manager
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Project Managers
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David Earl
Dennis Morales
Greg Churchill
Josh Hyland
Taylor Green
Studio Manager
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Designers
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Operations Manager
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Administration Manager
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EDITOR’S Comment
– Phil Nicholls Editor –
On the beauty of hope
Editor Phil Nicholls highlights the hopeful journey towards a sustainable future, as explored in the articles found in this magazine.
Hello, and welcome to the latest edition of Inside Sustainability. As I read through the various company profiles in this magazine, I am struck by the shared sense of hope for building a better world. This concept is captured in the short poem ‘Hope’ by Italian poet Emanuel Carnevali: Tomorrow will be beautiful, For tomorrow comes out of the lake.
Just like a glorious sunrise, our hope for a sustainable future rises out of the lake. Indeed, the tools and techniques adopted on this journey by the companies described within are like a technological Excalibur, King Arthur’s legendary sword gifted by Nimue, Lady of the Lake.
Emissions are duly cut, and landfill rates slashed, as companies carve out a place in the circular economy. A new brotherhood of green knights quest to build a beautiful, sustainable tomorrow.
This issue also includes coverage of several events, all shining examples of this quest for the energy transition as a global trend. From construction to wind energy, these gatherings of eco-knights are building
a brighter future. Delegates will discuss the construction of sustainable Camelots, for everyone in England knows that your home is your castle. Or perhaps the conversations might even include a productive version of tilting at wind turbines.
I am sure that each one of these events will build upon these shared hopes.
Meanwhile, everyone we have spoken with when creating this edition was filled with this same hope for the future, wielding their personal Excaliburs to make life better for their company, their customers and their community. I hope you all achieve your personal goals on your sustainable journey towards the beautiful tomorrow we all seek.
Finally, I hope you enjoy the latest selection of news and articles found in the following pages. n
Latest developments from the UK’s industry
UNITED
KINGDOM
Support for workers to benefit from thousands of clean power jobs
Workers across the UK will be supported with government-backed training programmes so they can benefit from thousands of new job opportunities in the clean energy sector, as part of the government’s Plan for Change and clean energy superpower mission.
Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire have all been identified as key growth regions for clean energy, with flourishing offshore wind, nuclear and solar industries. Local partners will receive funding to identify the skills support that is needed in their area to deliver clean power by 2030 – which will protect households and businesses from unstable fossil fuel markets for good.
Funding could go towards new training centres, courses or career advisers –supporting local people into opportunities in industries such as welding, electrical engineering and construction.
Alongside this, the government has delivered on a longstanding campaign to help oil and gas workers access opportunities in clean energy jobs by launching a ‘skills passport’, in collaboration with industry and Scottish Government. Oil
and gas workers will be able to access the skills passport online, which will initially help them identify routes into several roles in offshore wind, including construction and maintenance.
These initiatives will help build the pipeline of skilled workers needed to deliver clean power by 2030, which will unlock £40 billion of investment a year and reindustrialise Britain with thousands of good jobs across the country. This underscores the government’s commitment to deliver a jobs-rich clean energy transition, putting communities and trade unions at the heart of the UK’s clean energy future.
Many of the skills required for the transition already exist, with research from Offshore Energies UK showing that 90% of oil and gas workers have skills that are relevant to the clean energy transition. n
Decarbonising UAE’s railways
Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Railway Network, has introduced the region’s first-ever CO2 Emission Avoidance and Reduction Certificates, an innovative initiative that highlights the environmental benefits of rail transport for its customers.
This significant milestone reinforces Etihad Rail’s role as a key contributor to the UAE’s climate change agenda, aligning with the nation’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategy through a transparent ESG framework linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The certificates – powered by EcoTransIT, a globally recognised tool for assessing the environmental impact of transport –quantify and validate the carbon savings businesses achieve by choosing rail over alternative transport modes, directly contributing to the UAE’s decarbonisation goals. Using EcoTransIT’s accredited methodology, the certificates calculate CO2e by factoring in direct emissions from diesel and indirect emissions from biofuels.
The process includes Well-to-Wheel analysis, covering the full lifecycle of fuel use – from extraction to combustion – ensuring an accurate measurement of the environmental impact of each tonne-kilometre
transported. It also accounts for cargo weight and distance using shipment-specific data and geocoordinates. For comparison, rail freight emissions are calculated in comparison to truck emissions, providing a clear basis to highlight rail’s environmental advantages.
Looking ahead, Etihad Rail aims to transport 60 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2030, contributing to the UAE’s economic diversification, enhancing supply chain resilience and contributing to its climate targets. By shifting freight transport from road to rail, Etihad Rail’s operations are projected to reduce CO2 emissions from the UAE’s road transport sector by 21% annually by 2050, taking up to 300 trucks off the roads for every train journey and removing 8.2 million tonnes of CO2 per year.
By leveraging its advanced railway network and fostering sustainable practices, Etihad Rail continues to drive meaningful progress toward a greener future for the UAE. n
Latest developments from the Japanese industry
Japan’s sustainable energy transition JAPAN
To mark the International Day of Clean Energy on 26th January, Sapporo, the northern capital of Japan, reaffirmed its commitment to promoting renewable energy.
Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan’s northernmost island, renowned for its rich natural environment, is said to have the greatest potential for renewable energy in the country. Hokkaido is taking the lead in the national green energy transition and generated approximately 40% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2023.
Last December, Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, hosted Global GX/Finance Conference Sapporo – New Frontiers in Green Transformation and Sustainable Finance. This event, held both in person and online, was attended by around 2,000 people. Speakers included Sapporo City Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto and experts from the US Embassy of Japan and the Danish Embassy of Japan. Various discussions took place about the ambitious projects underway in Hokkaido.
Additionally, the City of Sapporo, Hokkaido Government and Climate Bond Initiative (CBI) issued a joint statement on promoting green transformation and regional
revitalization in Hokkaido during the event.
CBI reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the expansion of green financial initiatives in Hokkaido and Sapporo, focusing on the advancement of renewable energy and GX-related industries, and building on its expertise to support these efforts. CBI is a leading international NGO that works to mobilise global capital for climate action.
“Hokkaido aspires to become a green energy superpower, leveraging its abundant resources and potential,” said CEO of Climate Bond Initiative Sean Kidney.
“We look forward to working together with Hokkaido and the City of Sapporo to attract capital and help establish Sapporo as a centre for green transformation.”
In a significant move to boost international investment into the region, the city has also set up a one-stop business establishment service, Sapporo Transnational Expansion and Partnership (STEP), offering comprehensive services entirely in English for foreign companies. n
Latest developments from the European industry
EUROPE
EXIGENCE to tackle environmental impact of digital devices
An EU-funded consortium of 10 organisations – including Telefónica and Huawei – has launched to reduce the carbon footprint of telecommunications systems. EXIGENCE, which lists partners in telecommunications, academic research and digital transformation across seven EU Nations, is set to mitigate the environmental impacts of next-generation (6G) mobile systems.
With the introduction of 6G, the ongoing digitisation of society is continuously transforming the reliance on telecommunication technology. As such, there is an unsustainable increase in power consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
By working with the mobile ecosystem, including two of the world’s largest manufacturers of digital devices, EXIGENCE promises to provide an integrated platform for mobile systems to unveil green insights. It will provide solutions for managing the use of mobile technology and focus the discussion on the vital role sustainable practices can play in achieving the EU’s Green Deal.
Started in January 2024, the project’s three-pillar framework will measure energy consumption, optimise service provision and incentivise behavioural changes among users of Information and Communications Technology. Participants include
Telefónica and Huawei, in addition to seven other partners across Europe.
F6S, the global innovation network where more than five million founders access funding grants and other growth opportunities worth in excess of $1bn annually, is coordinating the project.
“AI and pervasive connectivity are driving data – and huge amounts of it – into every aspect of work and play,” said Sean Kane, Co-Founder and Chair of F6S. “In 2024, connected devices consumed 500 terawatt-hours of energy. In turn, these devices were fed by data centres consuming another 500 terawatt-hours.
“Despite the growth in renewable technology, the rapid increase in energy required to feed connected devices will produce ever greater amounts of greenhouse gases for the foreseeable future. F6S is proud to partner with leading entities in this space to introduce actionable sustainable practices.” n
An overview of sustainable certification.
Sustainability achievements and certification news
Here at Inside Sustainability, we shine the spotlight on the certification tools and achievements of those companies going the extra mile to be green. Report by Phil Nicholls.
The options for sustainable certification continue to evolve. Alongside a transformed offering from Planet Mark, EcoVadis has also added another feature to its comprehensive certification package.
New Planet Mark programme
Responding to increasing pressure on organisations to slash carbon emissions and meet escalating regulatory demands, Planet Mark has unveiled a landmark transformation to its membership model. The Net Zero Certification Programme is designed to guide and empower organisations at every stage of their sustainability journey to turn ambition into reality and achieve net zero. With a clear and structured pathway, the Net Zero Certification Programme features four levels of certification supported by five tailored membership packages.
The first membership package is designed to help Members achieve Planet Mark Certified – Business by equipping them with the essential tools and guidance to measure, engage, and communicate their sustainability progress effectively. A key feature is Planet Mark’s Data Platform, which supports Members in taking the critical first step of
establishing their baseline through a robust and reliable data collection process.
To further aid Planet Mark Members in their net zero journey, all Members will now also have access to the Planet Mark Academy – an online portal providing essential resources to support their net zero journey. The Academy also provides access to workshops, events and training opportunities. These are designed to help organisations actively embrace sustainable practices, build long-term resilience and strengthen their knowledge and leadership.
Crucially, the new levels available through the Net Zero Certification Programme offer verifiable proof that Members are taking the right data-driven steps to progress their sustainability journey. This includes a suite of media assets and content to communicate achievements, as well as licensed use of the Planet Mark certification badge in marketing and tenders. This not only provides a competitive edge but also enables organisations to easily identify the actions taken by others within their supply chain. By doing this, the programme aims to inspire action across industry supply chains, a critical step in supporting national net zero targets.
EcoVadis updates
Meanwhile, EcoVadis has added a Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) questionnaire to its risk and sustainability management solution suite. This includes its market-leading AI-powered risk management platform, IQ Plus, and the light Vitals questionnaire, all working with EcoVadis Ratings.
The new CSRD questionnaire is free for suppliers, empowering customers to address this complex disclosure challenge. The questionnaire covers all mandatory supply chain data that requires direct supplier input and aligns to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards requirements. Procurement and compliance teams can use the questionnaire to easily engage suppliers, aggregate their supply chain data from across their EcoVadis solutions and generate an audit-ready CSRD report based on trusted data. The new CSRD questionnaire lowers the barriers to disclosure, helping users comply with confidence.
Finally for this issue, Reconomy, the leading international circular economy specialist, has announced the developments within its corporate membership with EcoVadis.
Over the past six years, seven of Reconomy’s brands across its three loops have earned medals ranging from Platinum to Silver, placing some of them in the top quartile of their sectors. These accolades have reinforced Reconomy’s credibility with its investors, customers and other stakeholders while providing valuable
insights into its performance and areas for improvement.
“We are delighted that several of our brands have achieved the highest recognition in sustainability from such a credible ratings agency,” said Diane Crowe, Group Sustainability Director at Reconomy. “EcoVadis has been invaluable in giving us greater visibility into our performance, identifying areas for improvement and driving progress. As a business dedicated to accelerating circularity, we are committed to excellence.
one planet – one chance – one voice
EVENT
PARTNERSHIPS
A selection of future events, followed by previews of WindEurope and Hannover Messe.
08-10 April 2025 WindEurope
WindEurope unites with the city of Copenhagen and its Danish partners to deliver another wide-ranging industry gathering. The event broke attendance records in 2023 with close to 16,000 participants and expects to confirm this trend in 2025. The 2030 targets are looming – and Europe is looking to transform its energy system.
click here for weblink
07-13 April 2025 bauma
The world’s leading trade fair for construction machinery will once again be held at the Messe München centre in Munich. From the digital construction site to alternative drives and tomorrow’s construction methods, the most important topics will be discussed, and innovative solutions will be presented.
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World Hydrogen
The landmark World Hydrogen the largest and most is returning to Rotterdam. Summit, the largest world and much more.
31 March HANNOVER MESSE
click here
– 04 April
HANNOVER MESSE 2025 will shape industrial energy supply. The lead a Sustainable Industry’ – brings together turers and solution providers from the fields fuel cells, Energy 4.0, and power engineering.
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Hydrogen Summit
landmark event in the industry’s calendar, Hydrogen 2025 Summit & Exhibition is most senior global hydrogen event and Rotterdam. The event features the C-Level largest hydrogen-focused Exhibition in the more.
June 2025
InstallerSHOW
InstallerSHOW 2025, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, features 800 exhibitors and 30,000 installers, specifiers and decision-makers from the heat, water, air and energy sectors. This is the top spot in the UK for finding new products, networking, connecting with manufacturers and learning from live sessions.
click here for weblink
2025 shape the future of lead theme – ‘Energizing numerous manufacfields of hydrogen and engineering.
Why not give your event exclusive coverage to thousands of readers and connections globally? Contact us: events@insidepublication.com
A short preview of WindEurope.
WindEurope 2025
WindEurope unites with the city of Copenhagen and its Danish partners to deliver another wide-ranging industry gathering, from 8th to 10th April 2025. The event broke attendance records in 2023, with close to 16,000 participants, and expects to continue this trend in 2025. The 2030 targets are looming – and Europe is looking to transform its energy system.
Denmark is the birthplace of wind energy, and the Danes are still breaking new wind power records right across the board. This is the only country in Europe to source more than half of its electricity from wind – up to 55%.
With the 2030 targets approaching, Europe needs big decisions and a determined push to reach these goals. WindEurope is the chance to come together as a sector – to set the industry on the road to success. The 2025 event is anticipated to bring over 15,000 participants to see more than 500 exhibitors.
A busy exhibition hall
The WindEurope exhibition has been sold out for months. Visitors can expect an exhibition floor bursting with the latest products and full of companies ready to do business. The event will also host a selection of startup companies, as the wind industry needs fresh voices and new ideas to fulfil
its potential. The Startup Pavilion, located in Hall C1, is where visitors will be able to meet the newest names and faces driving innovation and leading breakthroughs right across the sector.
The Startup Pavilion at WindEurope is organised to allow visitors to network with the start-up community. This is the perfect opportunity for everyone to find out about exciting developments in a number of cross-industry areas.
A welcoming conference
WindEurope organises an active programme of more than 70 sessions and events to run alongside the exhibition hall. This programme will feature more than 350 speakers, covering all aspects of onshore and offshore wind technology, from designing turbines and planning wind farms to operations, all the way to decommissioning and recycling.
This extensive programme will also keep the focus on how wind can support and
Visit for updates: www.windeurope.org
drive the electrification of the wider economy. Of particular interest will be contributions on how to accelerate the scale-up, automate both manufacturing and operations, plus how the industry can better understand fatigue and faults in larger turbines, in order to prevent them.
Topics under discussion are expected to include concrete examples of already–implemented operational solutions, experience and feedback from the field, including real-world
data, as well as innovative research, concepts and ideas that can bring the sector forward.
Additionally, WindEurope believes that women can break the glass-ceiling in the wind energy industry. The event is therefore encouraging as many women as possible to submit work for presentation. WindEurope is eager to hear from a wide range of voices working on interesting wind-related projects and issues, in academia, the wind industry or other sectors interacting with wind. n
An overview of HANNOVER MESSE.
HANNOVER MESSE
www.hannovermesse
Running from 31st March to 4th April, HANNOVER MESSE 2025 will shape the future of industrial energy supply. With more than 4,000 exhibitors from all over the world, HANNOVER MESSE is the central platform for future-oriented solutions in industrial production. Drive technology and fluid power will play a special role this year.
The world’s leading trade fair for industry will open its doors on March 31, 2025.
Under the label of ‘Motion & Drives’, the industry segments will once again showcase their strength and importance as the largest supplier branches in the international engineering business. Not only innovative and smart individual components, but also complete systems will be presented.
For strongly export-oriented drive technology and fluid power companies, HANNOVER MESSE is the ideal platform to push global business forward thanks to its highly international character.
“Given the general global conditions, HANNOVER MESSE has a special role to play this year, because this is where the global course for tomorrow’s industrial production will be set,” said Dr Jochen Köckler, Chairman and CEO of Deutsche Messe AG. “In the areas of automation, digitalisation and international cooperation, we offer a central platform on which drive technology and fluid power companies can showcase their
pioneering concepts and provide decisive impetus for a resilient industry.
“At the same time, the highly international nature of the event opens up ideal opportunities for export-oriented companies to tap into new markets, acquire potential new customers, and strengthen their position in global competition in the long term.”
Companies that have already registered their participation include Atos, Baumüller, Bosch Rexroth, Cantoni, Festo, Flender, HAWE, IMM Hydraulik, SEW-EURODRIVE and Schaeffler. The manufacturers will present their latest applications and components for intelligent and sustainable production. All this, under the ‘Motion & Drives’ label, will be found in Halls 4, 5 and 6.
“With HANNOVER MESSE, we are offering exhibitors the opportunity to be embedded in a unique industrial innovation ecosystem,” Dr Köckler continued. “It is one in which companies from the engineering, electrical and digital industries, as well as the energy sector, present efficient and sustainable
solutions for current and future industrial value creation. This mix of research, business, start-ups and politics is a guarantee for a consistently high level of dynamic performance every year.”
“Power Transmission Engineering and Fluid Power components are key building blocks of machines,” explained Hartmut Rauen, Deputy Managing Director of the Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association (VDMA) and responsible for the Power Transmission Engineering and Fluid Power Associations within VDMA. “These key
components provide power and movement, serve as a data source for digital valueadded services, and play a decisive role in the performance of customer products. In 2025, HANNOVER MESSE with its ‘Motion & Drives Community’ will become a driver of innovation in the engineering business.”
Facing challenges
The German Power Transmission Engineering and Fluid Power sectors expect to close 2024 with a nominal decline in sales of around 8%. Incoming orders are also running at this
level, and there is a lack of urgently-needed impetus to stimulate the market. Accordingly, the two industry sectors, which together account for a sales volume of around 30 billion euros, continue to face a difficult economic situation.
This picture is representative of the entire engineering business. The industry is under sustained cost and competitive pressure, and is reluctant to invest due to global uncertainties and challenging political conditions in Germany, the EU and the rest of the world. Growth in the Chinese export market, which plays an important role for Power Transmission Engineering and Fluid Power,
is also showing no signs of momentum. Neither sector expects any significant recovery in 2025. Indeed, they are anticipating a decline – albeit a more moderate one. It is therefore even more important that HANNOVER MESSE 2025 should serve as a platform to demonstrate the performance and innovative power of drive technology and fluid power to the world. The role of politics should not be neglected either:
“There is a need to cut red tape and strengthen entrepreneurship,” said Mr Rauen. “We need better framework conditions, as well as free trade agreements and impetus in the innovation field. The research
Visit for updates: www.hannovermesse.de
tax allowance is a good approach, and we are also focusing on expanding joint industrial research.”
Innovation meets sustainability Digitalisation will continue to be a key topic at HANNOVER MESSE. The publicly-funded research project Fluid 4.0, which focuses primarily on the Asset Administration Shell concept, is opening up new perspectives for the industry. OPC UA specifications are being developed in the area of Power Transmission Engineering to optimise data exchange in Power Transmission Engineering. Interfaces to the overarching topic of Manufacturing-X will also be addressed in order to design future data spaces for the industry, and to gear up the sector for the future.
The special Fluid Power 4.0 Show in Hall 5, D44, at the heart of the ‘Motion & Drives’ exhibition focus, will prove to be the central meeting point for casting light on the future of fluid power and exchanging ideas and insights with experts. Exhibits and research activities on system control, energy monitoring, recycling management, carbon footprints and IoT integration will be presented. The exhibition will show what the path to even more efficient and productive fluid power looks like, and what added value
digitalisation brings for manufacturers and customers alike.
Meanwhile, the Conference Stage in Hall 5, D32, will be the centre for transferring expertise and networking in the fields of Power Transmission Engineering and Fluid Power. In the immediate vicinity of the special Fluid Power 4.0 Show, sessions will be offered throughout the week dealing with specific topics on the latest developments in smart Fluid Power and Power Transmission Engineering. The programme will be supplemented with topics focusing on Europe, India and Italy. n
This edition of Inside Sustainability includes a special feature profiling Kanadevia Inova, a leading global green tech company making a mark in the Waste Wto Energy and broader waste management infrastructure space.
KANADEVIA INOVA I PROFILE
Turning waste into value worldwide
Kanadevia Inova is a global green tech company making a mark in the Waste to Energy (WtE) and broader waste management infrastructure space. The business is based in Switzerland, and since 2010 it has been part of the Japanese Kanadevia Corporation, that rebranded from Hitachi Zosen Inova in October 2024. Bruno-Frederic Baudouin, CEO, explained more to Hannah Barnett.
Turning waste into value is the essential foundation of Kanadevia Inova’s work. The company offers solutions which view waste as a valuable resource; something which may be converted to a commodity and reused.
“Traditionally, waste removal has been seen as someone else’s problem,” said CEO Bruno-Frederic Baudouin. “This has numerous drawbacks, especially for the environment. People tend to think of circularity as reusing something for the same purpose.
“But if we can bring something back to its basic elements, then we might find a completely different usage. We might be able to convert organics to gas, fertiliser or biochar. The biochar might then be used as a substitution for coal in the production of steel.”
Background basics
Kanadevia Inova now has over 3,000 employees and a turnover close to £1.2bn. Based in Zurich, the company maintains a presence in 17 countries, with most staff located in Switzerland, the UK and Germany, with more in Central Europe, the United States and the Middle East.
The plants built and run by Kanadevia Inova can be split primarily into two types of waste treatment. There is thermal treatment, which traditionally produces energy that can be converted to electricity or district heating for millions of homes, but has recently expended the outputs to commodities such as metals, salts and aggregates. And there is biological treatment, including through the well-known methanation process, converting organic waste to useful methane.
We have been described as pioneers, we push the edge as much as we can. “”
Kanadevia Inova CEO Bruno-Frederic Baudouin
It’s a jarring contrast to compare such advanced waste treatment technologies with the outdated landfilling approach of bygone days. Landfill sites emit ferocious amounts of methane, a gas 80 times more harmful than CO2 when freely vented to the atmosphere. Adopting waste to energy instead not only prevents these emissions, but also closes many circularity loops.
The company is trying to push this innovation one step further by exploring the circularity loop of CO2. This includes simple solutions such as compressing gas recovered during the methanation process for the food industry for use in fizzy drinks, but also more ambitious routes exploring the potential to blend CO2 with green hydrogen to produce methane and liquid fuels for all sorts of uses, including for aviation.
“We have been described as pioneers,” Mr Baudouin explained. “We push the edge as much as we can. There are many technical solutions available, but the issue is to bring them to the ground, which is largely a question of affordability. We want these to be the go-to solutions around the world and this is an enormous challenge. Today, only 15 to 20 per cent of the total waste produced is treated in a more or less advanced manner. Everything else goes to landfill.”
Scaling and growth
Becoming part of one of Japan’s largest industrial and engineering firms, Kanadevia Corporation, has proven highly significant for Kanadevia Inova. This is largely thanks to the scaling possibilities, which has allowed the latter to become an active contributor in the development of sustainable waste management infrastructures. This means that Kanadevia Inova does not just build turnkey WtE and Renewable Gas plants. It is also able to take charge of the entire development, operation, maintenance and, if required, co-invest in the facility.
“As we have progressively diversified, not only are we able to expand our technology effort on thermal waste management, but we have also advanced on biological waste management, cross fertilising the two domains to develop the best solutions,” said Mr Baudouin.
In 2019, the company signed a concession agreement in Dubai to build the largest WtE plant in the world. Located just outside the city, in Warsan, the facility can treat 5,000 tonnes of non-recyclable municipal solid waste from the Dubai area per day, making a total of 1,825,000 tonnes a year. The 190MW of electricity generated is then fed into the local grid to power around 120,000
homes. In addition, metals are recovered and construction materials produced from the bottom ash. And, as with most new WtE facilities, the option is there for a bolt-on carbon capture unit to further shrink the carbon footprint.
Technology with affordability
“Dubai is a very important milestone, because it demonstrated the fundability of advanced waste management solutions,” Mr Baudouin explained. “Until then, with limited exceptions, there was no affordable model for the technology, making such advance treatment exclusive to the privileged few. And here, in a country traditionally anchored on landfill, we
were able to democratise it and make it affordable, meaning it made sense both politically and economically.”
Flagship reference plants like Dubai serve as proof points for the company’s delivery capabilities on mega-projects. This helps Kanadevia Inova garner interest from surrounding states in the Middle East, which are similarly keen to leverage waste infrastr-uctures to achieve their sustainability goals.
And, blending Swiss quality and advanced technology with cost-competitiveness has proven quite a seductive combination further afield. In 2024, the company achieved another significant milestone when it managed to convince authorities in North Africa that it had a strong
enough business model to submit a bid for a project.
“The customer was looking to go by default for landfill, even though they knew it would be a super methane emitter, identifiable at the global level,” said Mr Baudouin, “and we managed to convince them that we could offer an alternative solution, drastically cutting the country CO2 equivalent emissions, based on waste to energy. Plus, while producing reliable base load green power, thus allowing a higher penetration of variable renewable power, we were able to come in at significantly lower cost than landfill, with no additional subsidies.
“So, we’ve demonstrated that advanced solutions, with their fantastic contribution to
What’s in a name?
Hitachi Zosen Inova rebranded as Kanadevia Inova in October 2024. The new name combines the Japanese word ‘Kanaderu’, which means ‘to play music in harmony’, with the Latin word ‘via’, which means ‘way.
“It’s about being in harmony with Mother Nature. For a Swiss company with Japanese ownership, it was really important for us to have some significant meaning in our name reflecting our purpose.”
Kanadevia Inova CEO Bruno-Frederic Baudouin
KANADEVIA
The secrets of success
In order to be innovative and remain ahead of the pack, the company must maintain strong relationships with its partners. The key to maintaining these partnerships in the long term is to be both consistent and fair, according to Mr Baudouin.
“There are many players on the market taking advantage of the situation with a partner,” he said. “I’m not saying that we don’t leverage our bargaining power sometimes, but we want to build lasting relationships and to co-develop solutions. We believe this is absolutely critical, not just for competitiveness, but also for growth.
“It does not mean that we work exclusively with one supplier or with one customer, but I think one of the key secrets of success is this partnership spirit. We are continuously sourcing new suppliers, looking for new partnerships to enhance the competitiveness of our infrastructures, get inspired and create more value for the communities we serve.”
This will complement the company’s overall stated vision to enhance decarbonisation, resource circularity and supply security.
“We want to do it for the communities we are living with and for future generations,” Mr Baudouin said, in conclusion.
“A significant part is about upgrading existing facilities. We believe there is fantastic potential. I was in the US recently visiting a plant to learn how the guys are doing it over there. There are many solutions to learn from in the market, but we were also able to offer some good ideas to the remarkable plant we saw. So, cross fertilisation is happening.
“The fantastic thing is that we have backing from a larger group. This means we can channel tremendous financial capabilities to build lasting growth, helping more communities and countries address their waste management challenge. To have the ability to make an impact in this way, and to make a dream happen, is both very exciting and amazingly rewarding.”
one planet – one chance – one voice
Branding & Packaging
An introduction to the branding and packaging sectors, with a special report exploring paper bottles, plus news items, followed by company profiles.
An overview of sustainable labelling
The future in a bottle
As the packaging industry strives towards a more sustainable future, materials with higher carbon footprints, such as plastic or glass, are being replaced with innovative alternatives. The paper bottle is a low-impact solution creating a new environmental standard for the beverage sector. Report by Antonia Cole.
More than 1.3 trillion glass and plastic bottles are produced globally each year. The high carbon footprint associated with plastic is recognised amongst consumers, with glass commonly being viewed as a sustainable alternative. However, glass requires a lot of resources and energy to produce. Additionally, its heavy weight contributes significant emissions in transportation.
Paper bottles aim to replace these packaging forms and offer an environmentally-friendly packaging solution. Made from recycled and recyclable material, paper bottles require less resources and are lighter to transport. As a low-impact alternative, the growth of the paper bottle is set to be driven by the increasing number of consumers looking to make sustainable choices.
Reimagining packaging
Paper bottles are made from paperboard, with a food-grade liner inside creating a waterproof barrier. Approximately 90% of the world’s wine is consumed within a year
of it being produced, so long-lasting glass bottles are no longer necessary. Glass bottles currently account for around 40% of the wine industry’s carbon footprint, but paper bottle producers hope to transform this.
Globally, research and development departments are looking to optimise paper bottles for mass distribution. This means investigating recyclability and sustainable material sourcing, as well as improving the sturdiness and quality of bottles. As consumers learn more about the impact of packaging, paper bottles are set to become a popular product.
Although many may appreciate the tradition of glass wine bottles, younger
generations have shown to be more open to trying new formats. The paper bottle is constantly being developed. University of Surrey Professor Joe Keddie and sustainable packaging company Pulpex have been working together to accelerate the optimisation of paper packaging.
Pulpex paper bottles are PEFC-accredited and FSC-certified, as well as being both renewable and recyclable in standard waste streams. Mr Keddie and Pulpex are developing coatings technology to enhance the quality and capabilities of paper bottles, encouraging more companies to adopt the packaging.
Brands with plans
Many well-known brands are already utilising paper bottles to offer a sustainable packaging option to consumers. Absolut released its original vodka in a paper bottle, which is 57% paper with an integrated barrier of recyclable plastic. This is the company’s first step in making its bottles fully bio-based, a target which it is striving towards.
A variety of companies, including Avallen, Cantina Goccia and Greenall’s, are using Frugal Bottles. 45 brands in 25 countries around the world have used Frugal Bottle’s paper packaging. The bottle is made from 94% recycled paperboard with an easily separable food-grade pouch to encourage appropriate disposal. Weighing five times
less than glass, the paper bottle’s carbon footprint is six times lower. In April 2025, the company will upgrade its pouches to mono material polyethylene for further improved recyclability.
The paper bottle is constantly evolving with new sustainable solutions being introduced all the time. Although the carbon impact of paper bottles is less than plastic or glass, there are still concerns about durability through transport and longevity on the shelf. These brands are proving that paper bottles are suitable for mass production, standing out as a sustainable option on shelves.
With sustainability regulations, standards and expectations growing around the world, many companies are looking for ways to minimise environmental impacts and meet the demand for sustainable packaging. The paper bottle satisfies both manufacturers and consumers, providing an environmentally-friendly solution to the beverage industry. n
Asda offers coffee pod recycling
Supermarket Asda has partnered with coffee pod recycling service Podback, to provide coffee lovers with a simple and convenient way to recycle their used coffee pods in over 600 of its stores across the UK.
Coffee pods are not suited for recycling through traditional routes, due to their small size and because they contain organic material.
Podback users can now recycle their used aluminium and plastic coffee pods by filling a Podback bag and returning it to the toYou parcel returns service in their nearest participating Asda store.
The free to use Podback service was set up by Nestle and Jacobs Douwe Egberts in 2021 to make coffee pod recycling easy and convenient for consumers across the UK.
Through the Podback scheme, plastic and aluminium pods are recycled in the UK. The coffee grounds are transformed by anaerobic digestion into renewable energy and soil improver, with the aluminium and plastic from the old pods being used in the manufacture of items such as drinks cans, building products and garden furniture.
Asda and Podback hope the new service will encourage more coffee pod users to make
recycling their pods part of their regular shopping routine.
“We’re always looking for ways to support customers to make sustainable choices when shopping with us,” said Beth Fowler, Asda Senior Manager – Healthy and Sustainable Choices. “The partnership with Podback is one of many workstreams across Asda’s ESG strategy including broader commitments on packaging reduction, recyclability and recycled content.
“By offering the collection and recycling service with Asda toYou and Podback, we hope that we can make recycling more convenient than ever when shopping with Asda.”. n
Combating cup waste
Scotland has introduced the UK’s first returnable drinking cup initiative, Borrow Cup, to reduce waste from single-use products. The programme, launched in Glasgow, involves over 40 participating outlets, ranging from major chains to local businesses. Spearheaded by the environmental charity Hubbub and reuse-focused start-up Reposit, the scheme is set for an initial three-month trial in Glasgow, with plans to expand across Scotland and the UK, if successful.
Borrow Cup has partnered with prominent retailers such as Costa Coffee, Burger King,
Caffe Nero and Tinderbox, alongside smaller organisations like Kelvingrove Museum, Sprigg and Glasgow City Chambers.
Customers purchasing a drink at participating outlets can opt for a Borrow Cup by paying a £1 deposit. Most outlets offer discounts or loyalty rewards to incentivise the switch. The cups are available in three sizes, and users can either return their cups for a fresh one or receive a £1 refund.
Despite three-quarters of UK residents owning reusable cups, research from Hubbub reveals only a third use them monthly. Borrow Cup addresses this gap by providing a convenient, waste-reducing alternative to single-use options.
According to Zero Waste Scotland, Scotland generates significant waste from disposable cups, with 388 million cups discarded annually. The Borrow Cup initiative seeks to drastically reduce this number by promoting reusable alternatives.
If the trial proves successful, the scheme will roll out to more locations across Scotland and potentially the rest of the UK. Borrow Cup is a scalable solution to combat the environmental damage caused by single-use products, paving the way for broader adoption of reuse systems. n
GOING GREEN:
flexible packaging reimagined
InterFlex Group has developed a solid portfolio of packaging solutions for the US, UK and European markets. With 50 years’ experience, the group is now gearing up for growth following several key acquisitions. Commercial Director Alex O’Connor and Marketing Director Dan Richards explained more, during an in-depth interview with Inside Sustainability. Report by Imogen Ward.
Originally established in 1975, InterFlex Group provided flexible packaging to an array of food-based sectors. With two sites based in the UK and two in the US, the group developed significant demand in core markets, such as bakery, snacks and confectionery.
Since then, InterFlex has developed strong partnerships with many Fortune 1000 companies across North America, the UK and Europe – making it a highly appealing asset when it came up for sale in 2022.
“Two years ago, we were acquired by TOPPAN,” said Commercial Director Alex O’Connor. “Being a huge global packaging business, TOPPAN was interested in InterFlex’s prime locations, which aligned perfectly with its desire to establish a flexible packaging
production network in America and Europe (two key markets it had yet to penetrate).”
Alongside Toppan, Interflex has continued to strengthen its position within the marketplace, reinforcing its reputation for innovation and excellence. Vertical integration swiftly became a top priority as part of the inter-company amalgamation, which is something that both businesses are still collectively working towards today.
Coming together
From designing and laminating right down to the regranulation of its own waste, InterFlex has worked hard to bring every element of its production process in-house. This has better-solidified lead times, improved efficiency and guaranteed quality.
Although InterFlex had done a fantastic job of becoming a vertically integrated business, there was still one area of the process that remained evasive: extrusion. In order to bridge that gap, InterFlex went in search of a company suitable for acquisition.
Being an expert in cast and blown extrusion (alongside printing, laminating, bag conversion and line slitting) Scunthorpe-based company Skymark was deemed an ideal addition to the InterFlex brand, and the sale was completed in Q3 of 2023.
Not only did this sales agreement bring extrusion in-house, but it also provided InterFlex with an additional manufacturing facility, further bolstering its presence within the UK market.
“The addition of the Scunthorpe site has been instrumental to InterFlex’s integration goals,” explained Marketing Director Dan Richards. “The facility’s casting capabilities,
in particular, have become a distinctive advantage for our customers.”
The acquisition of Skymark also fits in well with the overarching goals of parent company TOPPAN. As a global packaging business, TOPPAN prides itself on having an excellent synergy across all its businesses, and Skymark has slotted perfectly into that model of collaboration – enhancing the parent company’s capabilities while also supporting InterFlex’s other UK facilities.
Another key area of synergy within the organisation is the shared dedication to sustainability. Following TOPPAN’s formulation of Vision 2050 – a framework of ambitious goals designed to accelerate its green agenda – the company directed its focus to three key areas: People, Environment and Communities as detailed within the TOPPAN Sustainable Transformation (Sx) agenda.
To ensure Skymark is as efficient as possible, the site has seen significant investment post-acquisition. These improvements have helped maintain the site’s operations and upgrade its bagging capabilities, with the inclusion of two new lines, new slitters and new ways to further enhance its extrusion capabilities.
“The first slitter was ordered during the crossover from Skymark to InterFlex, and has been installed as of the start of 2024,” revealed Mr Richards. “We now have an additional machine ordered for installation further down the line.”
Inspired by these commitments, InterFlex is channelling that same green ethos through its own core product lines.
“Our Sustainable Transformation agenda is really driven from the top, with aspirations to reduce carbon emissions, minimise water intake and give back to the community,” said Mr Richards. “What InterFlex has done is funnel all those ambitions through our lines RECYFLEX, PUREFLEX and PAPRFLEX, whilst maximising our vertical integration.”
All three lines are thoughtfully designed to add sustainability to customers’ needs, while also improving recyclability rates across InterFlex’s entire portfolio – a statistic that
now sits at 86%, proving the effectiveness of this model.
RECYFLEX, InterFlex’s innovative solution for reducing virgin polymer consumption, integrates recycled content into a diverse array of packaging applications. Whereas PUREPLEX seeks to introduce fully recyclable mono-materials to the portfolio, which are ideal for flow wraps and pouches.
The third sustainable solution, PAPRFLEX, features kerbside recyclable paper twist wrap, heat seal paper overwrap and barrier paper solutions.
Mr Richards added: “Building on this momentum, we are excited to announce that we will be exhibiting at Packaging Innovations at the NEC in February 2025, where we will showcase these innovative sustainable solutions and more.”
In order to ensure an increased recyclability rate, InterFlex fully utilises its in-house process of regranulation. Not only does this ensure its
waste production is minimal, but it also helps cut down the company’s reliance on virgin materials. Already utilised in products such as dry tissue overwrap, this exciting development has also extended to wet wipe packaging for the personal care sector, for both PE and PP solutions with 30% recycled content.
“We have focused a lot of our R&D towards integrating our recycled content into laminate structures for non-food applications,” explained Mr Richards. “However, as the supply chain continues to strengthen and new legislation changes come into effect, we will be able to reassess the food contact side of the business.”
The next steps
As the company focuses on the future, it intends to continue pouring its energy into improving brand sustainability. To support this effort, TOPPAN has recently relocated a Senior Packaging Specialist to InterFlex’s
Commercial Director, Alex O’Connor
Marketing Director, Dan Richards
Dalkeith site. In doing so, the companies work collaboratively to ensure seamless communication and enhance the production of their packaging solutions.
“The specialist is expected to work across all three sites for a minimum of two years, where she will contribute valuable feedback and expertise, fostering collaboration and sharing insights with TOPPAN in Tokyo,” explained Mr O’Connor. “This is an important step in our development, and we look forward to seeing where it will take us over the next five years.”
At the same time, InterFlex remains dedicated to product development and aims to continue its market penetration through a collaborative approach, working seamlessly across the group alongside trusted, long-standing
suppliers. “Our supply chain is our life blood; without them we would not be able to function,” said Mr Richards. “We pride ourselves on having long-established partnerships with suppliers that are innovative, resourceful and always up for a challenge.
“Being on the marketing side of the business, I am incredibly passionate about creating these partnerships and supporting our team to success.”
“These companies will play a key role in helping shape InterFlex into a sustainably driven globalised business,” added Mr O’Connor, in conclusion. “We are on a journey that is going to take time and effort, but it is one that I know we can achieve thanks to the continued support that surrounds us.”
For over 60 years, Service Graphics has been delivering engaging visuals for global brands. As the UK’s largest provider of high-impact visual communications, the company works across a wide range of sectors. Group Sales Director Tristan Shaun discussed award-winning projects and sustainability, in conversation with Antonia Cole.
Service Graphics has evolved and grown over the years; Group Sales Director Tristan Shaun said:
“Grenadier Holdings, the marketing communications group, acquired the business
around 5 years ago. Our offering complements the Grenadier businesses, adding wide-format production and sector-specific expertise to the group and extends our reach in new markets.
“Grenadier operate across the US, UK, Europe and Africa, with revenues set to reach two billion euros.”
With 300 employees based in offices and production facilities across the UK, Service Graphics offers high-quality visual solutions to a wide selection of markets. From luxury retail, grocery and beverages to museums, sports events and exhibitions, the company utilises technical knowledge and innovative thinking to deliver effective projects tailored to specific sector needs.
Service Graphics creates, produces and installs specialised visuals as part of a comprehensive range of services. Account managers are detail-oriented, progressing projects through each phase from concept to completion, ensuring budgets and timelines are met. However, it is the creative team that brings clients’ ideas to life and the skilled production team that produce stand-out graphics in state-of-the-art production facilities.
“The reason so many global brands trust Service Graphics goes beyond relationship
building,” added Mr Shaun. “We work hard to truly understand a brand; we reflect the same passion and belief of our customer. It is a simple philosophy, the result being our team becomes an extension of the customer’s marketing function.”
Award-winning projects
The company offers end-to-end solutions to customers, managing every project from concept through to installation. Services include prototyping, material specification, metalwork, packaging, delivery, removal and more, all of which are underpinned in helping clients with their sustainability goals. Whether
for display units, window graphics, signage, banners or printed carpets, Service Graphics tailors everything to the unique requirements of each client.
“We are a confident team with specialisms and expertise almost unmatched in the industry,” explained Mr Shaun “It was, therefore, a personal high for me to collect three awards for the business at The UK Graphics Awards, including Wide-Format Printer of the Year, and projects for Live Events and Retail Windows. Recognition of our commitment
to customers, to set the standard, push the boundaries of design and creativity.”
The award-winning projects included creative hoardings, signage and graphics for Battersea Power Station, window displays for Gymshark and event branding for the Tour of Britain 2024. For The Tour of Britain, the Service Graphics team worked with organisers to minimise the carbon footprint, leveraging the company’s nationwide network of production facilities and locally based suppliers.
“We’ve built a fantastic relationship with Gymshark, delivering its 66 campaign and its award-winning We Do Gym campaign,” continued Mr Shaun. “Projects that our teams were at the heart of developing and delivering the end result.”
Service Graphics have had a busy year working on marquee events, including the Eurovision Song Contest and the 2024 Euros.
The Eurovision Song Contest took place across five venues in the city of Liverpool. Service Graphics was responsible for the brand overlay, and it was the most sustainable Eurovision yet, with the company using recyclable materials and disposing of them sustainably after the event. All of the largescale pitch and ceremony banners the
company made for UEFA’s games across Europe were also recyclable, promoting sustainability within the sector.
Sustainable innovation
The business is committed to helping deliver Net Zero, and sustainability is at the core of Service Graphics’ operation. The company
challenges clients to incorporate sustainability into projects with a variety of innovative technologies and processes. Service Graphics has a Silver EcoVadis rating, which was achieved through a range of decarbonisation initiatives.
In 2022, the company implemented carbon footprint calculation, working with Carbon Quota and used this insight to reduce the company’s impact on the environment. With precise carbon targets and sustainability implemented into the Service Graphics project management systems, the company limits environmental impacts and complies with international standards.
“We have already introduced many emission-reduction programmes across our sites, such as LED lighting, material yield optimisation software and transitioning to 100 per cent renewable energy,” commented
Mr Shaun. “Our ISO 14001-certified management system allows us to measure the impact of each project. This means that we can fully support our clients in making sustainable choices. Our environmental objectives are always evolving, and we strive to continue this.”
Service Graphics has its own eco-friendly printing range, which is PVC- and solventfree, as well as being recyclable and made from recycled materials where possible. This range includes everything from banners and vinyl to wallpapers and exhibition displays. The company continually reviews products and materials to ensure it is leading industry development in terms of sustainability, whilst maintaining quality and affordability.
Additionally, Service Graphics has invested in innovative technologies like clean air coatings.
This coating is sprayed over graphics and prevents up to 40% of pollutants from entering the atmosphere.
“Sustainability is really important to us as a company,” added Mr Shaun. “We have already made so much progress in achieving our environmental goals. By utilising innovative materials and working on large-scale sustainable events, we are able to set a better environmental standard in the graphics industry for others to follow.”
Collaborative growth
Service Graphics not only aims to reduce its own carbon impact, but it also works with partners and suppliers to decarbonise the supply chain. By documenting its carbon footprint, the company encourages conversations on sustainability with partners.
“Understanding our carbon footprint to a greater extent allows us to identify areas for improvement and helps our customers
deliver against their sustainable goals,” said Mr Shaun. “Companies that share the same environmental values seek out Service Graphics for our sustainable graphic solutions.”
The company facilitates open and transparent communication in partnerships, building up relationships of over 25 years with many suppliers. CMYUK is one of Service Graphics’ primary suppliers and, `through the development of this relationship, the company benefits from better prices, guaranteed stockholding and first access to innovations and new materials.
“At Service Graphics, I get to work with a likeminded team of innovative individuals,” continued Mr Shaun, in conclusion. “We constantly look to improve our practices and achieve more. Having a positive impact across such a wide variety of industries makes my job really exciting. I am eager to keep growing with the company, exploring new opportunities and innovations.” n
A global leader of metal packaging, Tecnocap supplies infinitely and totally recyclable metal closures, aluminium aerosol cans and bottles, and recently premium self-adhesive labels to a variety of industries. Group Founder and CEO Michelangelo Morlicchio and the Managing Director of Tecnocap’s Aerosol Cans Business Unit, Gerardo Nobile, discussed the company’s growth and sustainable initiatives.
ASa company, Tecnocap has experienced significant and continuous growth, Group CEO Michelangelo Morlicchio said: “Annual revenue of more than €300 million confirms the effectiveness of a growth strategy based on geographic expansion and strategic investments. The planned acquisition of three new companies presents an opportunity to further enhance international market presence and unlock additional growth potential.”
Founded in 1993, Tecnocap has evolved into a leading force in the packaging sector. Headquartered in Italy, the company operates 12 production plants across Europe, the Americas, India, Saudi Arabia, and Africa, along with three state-of-the-art research and development centres. With a global technical assistance network, over 1,100 dedicated workforces, and a presence in more than 100 countries, Tecnocap excels at serving international clients and tailoring solutions to meet diverse market needs.
As a packaging producer for the food, beverage, cosmetic, personal care, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and home hygiene sectors, Tecnocap offers tailored solutions to a range of specialised industries. The company also designs and produces
high-speed capping machines, which are installed at customer sites.
“Thanks to our innovative, sustainable and high-quality solutions, we have established ourselves as a key player in the global packaging industry,” added Mr Morlicchio. “We continuously invest in R&D to develop stateof-the-art packaging solutions, delivering products that meet the highest standards.
Tecnocap is committed to improving product efficiency, reliability and functionality to meet the specific needs of our customers.”
ACQUIRING GROWTH
Tecnocap has quickly secured the position of the second-largest global producer in the Metal Closures for food and beverage sector. This positioning has been mainly achieved through an intensive M&A strategy. Many acquisitions, strategic alliances, and targeted integrations in synergistic industrial sectors represent a cornerstone of this strategy, delivering multiple benefits.
In just two years, Tecnocap acquired and established new production facilities in India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Italy, while also diversifying its range of products to significantly expand its market share in the health & beauty and pharma sectors.
In 2023, Tecnocap acquired ReefCap and MetaGlobe. The former is an expert in the Twist metal closures sector and the latter is a leading distributor of packaging, both with substantial operations in the Middle East and Africa.
“These acquisitions ensure a strong presence and significant production capacity of Metal Closures in key global markets, positioning Tecnocap as a major player in the Middle East, Gulf Countries, and the African Continent,” continued Mr Morlicchio. “These regions are currently experiencing significant economic growth, and we are
focused on seizing the opportunities offered by government development initiatives, such as Saudi Vision 2030. We are confident that Tecnocap can assume a pivotal role in these transformations.”
In 2024, the recent acquisition of Eticpress, a company specializing in the production of self-adhesive labels, allows the Group to further diversify the activities by entering a business that offers synergies with both the metal closures and the aluminium aerosol cans and bottles sectors. “This acquisition represents a step forward in strengthening an integrated and diversified portfolio and significantly expand our market share in the health & beauty sector”, explained Group CEO Michelangelo Morlicchio.
Eticpress holds expertise in advanced personalisation and utilises recycled or low-impact materials for more sustainable labels. Additionally, Eticpress is a leader of smart label production, incorporating Metaverse, NFT, RFID and AR technologies for advanced traceability.
“We are focused on maximising the
labels sector, further enhancing our expertise will allow us to provide consumer brands with outstanding support throughout the packaging process,” said Mr Morlicchio. Placing itself in ambitious regions and expanding upon its range of specialised packaging solutions allows Tecnocap to solidify its position as a global leader. By enhancing its capacity, technologies and network, the company can provide effective solutions to a wide range of specialised industries and meet stringent quality requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
As Tecnocap continues to grow, it is committed to evolving and adapting in terms of environmental sustainability. The company has developed a comprehensive strategy to limit its impact, which includes managing packaging lifecycles, its supply chain and production. Tecnocap constantly seeks solutions that mitigate harmful impacts and promote a more circular economy.
All Tecnocap facilities have implemented
to improve environmental performance and remain compliant with international regulations. Investing in energy-efficient production lines, motion sensors and recyclable packaging materials has enabled the company to significantly minimise its impact.
Tecnocap also monitors emissions, taking the necessary steps to lower its carbon footprint. With regular audits from certified bodies including EcoVadis, Sedex Smeta 4 Pillars and Integrity Next, the company can continuously evolve its sustainability management system.
“Starting from 2021, we have made large investments into decarbonising our facilities,” said Mr Morlicchio. “This includes installing high-efficiency equipment and solar panels, as well as working to achieve the Zero Waste to Landfill target by recycling and reusing where possible. Last year, at our Aerosol Cans plant we started an ambitious a water-optimisation project, using smart devices and sensors to rationalize the use of water. We are committed to the environment and promote sustainability through every layer of the company, offering employee training programmes to raise awareness.”
Additionally, Tecnocap’s products are inherently sustainable. With solutions primarily made from steel or aluminium, which are durable, lightweight and infinitely recyclable, the company contributes to a more circular economy.
The Tecnocap Innovation Hub was launched in 2022 to drive digital transformation and sustainable development, strengthening partnerships to achieve environmental progression.
Gerardo Nobile, Managing Director of Tecnocap TL, Aerosols & Bottles division, proudly commented on the sustainable innovation product line: “Since 2021, we have partnered with a leading European aluminum producer to manufacture a special range of aerosol cans and reusable bottles. These containers are fully recyclable and made from 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) aluminum, which is tracked and certified.
The new range, called ‘PURE’, has been recognized at the UK Packaging Awards as the ‘Best Metal Packaging’ for its special contribution to a circular economy model
– where packaging can be reused and recycled indefinitely without losing its core qualities, thereby effectively reducing environmental waste.
“Furthermore, at COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Tecnocap’s reusable bottle received the highest international acclaim and was selected as the official packaging for the event.”
FUTURE INVESTMENTS
The Group will continue to innovate and collaborate with universities, startups and partners to drive sustainability in metal packaging, solidifying its position as a global leader. Tecnocap has transitioned its portfolio towards presenting smart and sustainable solutions, enabling clients to reach environmental goals.
Currently, the company is investing in new printing lines that are designed to process innovative materials. This includes thinner, recyclable, compostable and biodegradable materials. Tecnocap is also implementing new labelling technologies to reduce plastic and harmful chemicals in printing.
“We recognise the urgency in addressing global warming and its impacts,” said Mr Morlicchio, in conclusion. “By integrating sustainability into our growth strategy, we
can innovate effective solutions whilst benefiting the planet. Responsible sourcing and strategic collaborations across the value chain are enabling us to really make a difference in terms of our impact. We intend to continue this strategy focusing on ESG into the future.”
By 2030, the company plans to reduce Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by 50% and to become net zero by 2050. Tecnocap is also working to formalise its commitment to the SBTi, aligning its goals to aluminium and steel industry roadmaps. As the company achieves significant growth and expands into more global markets, it remains committed to positive action that protects the environment. n
Tecnocap CEO, Michelangelo Morlicchio
Where chemistry meets
From humble beginnings in 1973, UK-based Kernow Coatings has evolved into a global leader within the specialised coated synthetic media arena. Now more than 50 years old, the company is gearing up to take its presence to new heights. CEO Steve Gulliford revealed all, during an in-depth interview with Inside Sustainability. Report by Imogen Ward.
Kernow Coatings has operated from the same premises in Penryn, England, since the company was established back in 1973. Although the business has remained loyal to its roots, the company looks a lot different today than it did over half a century ago. Originally operating as Sensitisers (Western) Group Ltd, the company quickly established an expertise in mill reel coated products.
With just one coating machine to its name, Kernow put the machinery to effective use, producing drafting film, Sepialine Diazo tracing paper and double matt Sepialine Diazo. Before long, the company was offering speciality films, translucent films and cardstock solutions to its customers too.
“As we evolved, we had to widen our net and expand our capabilities,” explained CEO Steve Gulliford. “Along the way, we have collaborated with key suppliers and partners that have helped enhance and progress our mission to create the best materials in the world.”
2010 saw the coatings expert expand into the North American market with the establishment of a brand-new distribution
partnership. This became an incredibly successful development for the company – eventually leading to the establishment of Kernow North America Inc.
Today, Kernow Coatings is recognised globally as a leader in high-performance, optimised coatings, which offers a diverse range of products including sustainable and eco environmentally friendly solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of its customers and the marketplace.
A green mindset
Sustainability has remained a strong part of Kernow’s identity for many years. Over the past decade alone, the company has committed to planting and nurturing thousands of trees, actively reducing its CO2 emissions, and innovating new, exciting products with a strong emphasis on sustainability.
“Aligned with our commitment to sustainability, we developed eco-conscious synthetics
in collaboration with a strategic supplier: utilising polypropylene with up to 40 per cent mineral content,” explained Steve. “In relation to recycling polypropylene is preferred over polyester and with the addition of up to 40 per cent mineral content it makes it a more sustainable solution.”
The company has also been working alongside the University of Exeter to calculate its carbon footprint and produce a strategic plan. This initiative has already led to the installation of a 100kWh solar panel system, completed in partnership with a local business. This factor is incredibly important to the company. Being a part of the Southwest, it strongly believes in
supporting local businesses where possible, while helping the region thrive.
The company is also exploring the potential of biomass fuel as a future project and is currently evaluating the feasibility and practicality of installing storage capacity for surplus electric rather than going back to the grid.
Adapting designs
Kernow has been working hard to adapt some of its bestselling products to expand its range. One such product, which became incredibly popular during the pandemic, is FloorSharK™ – an anti-slip floor graphic.
Made from PVC-free film that promises to stand the test of time, FloorSharK™ is of durable construction, making it the perfect solution for versatile and attention-grabbing floor signage.
FloorSharK™ offers the added advantage of slip resistance, while its high-quality construction ensures long-lasting visibility and exceptional tear resistance, making it a popular choice for use in supermarkets, healthcare settings and public spaces, as well as industrial floor safety signage.
The success of FloorSharK™ has also inspired Kernow to explore an adaptation,
opening possibilities into a new segment of the market.
“We are currently adapting FloorSharK™ to meet the needs of sports and pop-up events,” said Steve. “The product was designed to benefit from the same anti-slip properties of FloorSharK™, but with the added benefit of easy residue-less removal. This will provide organisers with a low-tech, cost-effective way of displaying their sponsorships no matter when or where the games are held.”
This is just one of the many exciting projects underway at Kernow, a company that consistently drives innovation. With a robust pipeline
Kernow Coatings CEO, Steve Gulliford
of product development, Kernow is poised to introduce a plethora of new offerings over the coming years.
Past success
One of the most recent success stories that originated from Kernow’s funnel of creativity is its KernowJet Interiors digitally printable wallpaper. Launched in 2023, this product was developed in conjunction with a strategic partner.
“In the past, Kernow focused on doing everything alone, whereas now we employ a solid dedication to collaboration,” revealed Steve. “The development of our digitally printable wallpapers collection, KernowJet Interiors, is a great example of this and one that has been incredibly successful.”
Developed alongside an independent company, which is owned by an expert in the trade, Kernow’s wallcoverings hit the market
as a versatile and flexible solution for both residential and commercial interiors. With the only limit being imagination, this product line can be customised to any desired outcome, and with a guaranteed luxurious finish it fits right at home in even the most opulent of settings – or the more unusual.
“Our wallcoverings come in a whole range of finishes and have been used to decorate a number of unique spaces, from an A-List celebrity’s dining room through to the use of the gold to decorate a Greek Orthodox Church,” said Steve. “The results were not only visually stunning, but also highlighted just how limitless personalisation can be.”
Although already a hugely successful product in the UK and Europe, Kernow is now preparing to market its KernowJet Interiors range on a more global scale.
This is just the beginning of Kernow’s launch plans for 2025. Having already marketed its
KernowJet KlearWipe long-term dry-erase lamination film to classrooms across the globe, Kernow is now hoping to use this product as a gateway to a previously unexplored area of the market.
“KernowJet KlearWipe was designed to be an easy-to-clean lamination solution for whiteboards; however, its chemical makeup and anti-stick properties also make it useful for another more unusual application,” Steve explained.
When it comes to graffiti removal, whiteboard coatings might not be the first solution that comes to mind. Kernow is determined to change that with KernowJet KlearGuard, an upgraded product that combines the benefits of the original KlearWipe product, now with enhanced properties. The company is collaborating with a new customer to protect signs from vandalism and is preparing to market
the product as a robust anti-graffiti solution this year.
This initiative is just one of many ambitious projects Kernow has planned for the near future. Reflecting on the company’s evolving strategy, the CEO explained: “In the past, we have done everything alone, but the world is such a competitive space now that this is no longer feasible. We face significant competition from around the world, and to cement our place as number one, we must work with the right partners to implement our journey.
“We are in the final stages of developing our first-ever five-year strategy and look forward to seeing how it drives the business toward future growth and success. Since stepping into the role of CEO, the company has achieved many firsts, and witnessing these milestones come to life has been incredibly rewarding.” n
Inspiring future generations:
Kernow Coatings is currently in the midst of implementing a brand-new apprenticeship scheme to help retain valuable skills within the industry. Planned to go live later this year, the scheme is expected to commence with four apprentices.
MANUFACTURING & SERVICES BACK TO CONTENTS
one planet – one chance – one voice
Construction
An introduction to the construction sector, with a detailed preview of bauma, plus innovations, followed by company profiles.
The world’s leading trade fair for construction machinery will once again be held at the Messe München centre in Munich from the 7th to the 13th of April 2025. From the digital construction site to alternative drives and tomorrow’s construction methods, the most important topics will be discussed, and innovative solutions will be presented. Inside Sustainability presents the inside scoop on the sustainable construction exhibition of the year.
The bauma event is the world’s most important meeting point for the construction machinery, building material machining and mining machine industry.
The famous exhibition is where key players, innovations, target groups and trends can all meet in one place. As the world’s leading trade fair, bauma reflects the entire industry in all its variety and detail.
This week-long event was last held in 2022, when the 200,000 square metres of hall space at Messe München become the centre of the construction machinery industry. A total of around 3,200 exhibitors from 60 countries and more than 495,000 visitors from over 200 countries came to Munich for the show. International visitors were in attendance from
around the world including the United States, China, Turkey and across Europe.
Alongside the more than 3,000 exhibitors already booked for bauma 2025, there is a supporting programme as diverse as the main event itself. This includes live demonstrations, the bauma FORUM, the innovation hall, the bauma LAB and lots of experience areas.
Every bauma event is centred around five key topics and bauma 2025 looks set to exceed the standards set by the previous show. The topics for this year are climate neutrality, alternative drive concepts, networked construction, sustainable construction and mining challenges. We looked into what these topics mean, and how they will be explored at bauma.
Climate neutrality
Approaches to achieving climate-neutral construction in the future include greater machine efficiency, more intelligent design of construction processes, optimised machine operations and the use of alternative energy sources.
In December 2019, the EU Commission presented the ambitious goal of making the European Union climate-neutral by 2050. This is particularly relevant for those attending and exhibiting at bauma, as it is estimated that the construction value chain is currently responsible for around 36% of carbon emissions within the EU.
The vast majority of greenhouse gases are emitted during the production of building materials and during decades of operating the completed buildings. Nevertheless, everything must also be done during the construction phase itself to achieve maximum decarbonisation.
Process optimisation in the use of construction machinery promises particularly good results with regard to climate neutrality. At bauma, the emission-related possibilities offered by digitisation and automation will become particularly clear.
These include better scheduling of machines and the resulting avoidance of idle times, machine-to-machine communication for more efficient production chains, early detection of increased energy consumption for technical reasons thanks to machine condition monitoring using smart sensors.
Alternative drive concepts
Another contribution to decarbonising the construction site can come from alternative drive concepts. Construction machinery worldwide emits several hundred million tons of CO2 every year, while more and more countries and municipalities are committing to a carbon-free future. In light of this, the industry is increasingly switching from traditional diesel engines to more environmentally friendly drives.
Electric motors have been a mainstay among alternative drives for construction vehicles and machines for several years now. Whether it was excavators, wheel loaders, rollers, dumpers, or vibratory plates, many manufacturers have already presented new solutions from their ever-growing e-portfolio at previous
And the trend will likely continue in 2025. For example, one leading European OEM announced that from 2040 it will only supply vehicles that are powered entirely without fossil fuels, while the analysis and consulting firm IDTechEx predicts that the global market for electric construction machinery will be worth 105 billion dollars by 2042.
Many companies and research institutes are also focusing on developing and testing hydrogen powered construction machinery. One manufacturer presented prototypes
of two hydrogen combustion engines at bauma 2022 and series production was announced for 2025.
Networked construction
A key element of future-oriented construction is that the machinery used is becoming increasingly digitised. As a result, users gain a growing amount of data, which not only shows them the condition of the machines, but also provides valuable information on their performance and work quality.
Attachments are also playing an increasingly important role on construction sites. They are becoming smarter, providing more and more digital process data, and communicating with the respective carrier devices. The MiC 4.0
BUS protocol, which was awarded the innovation prize in the field of digitalisation at the last bauma in 2022, laid the foundation for a uniform digital language required for this. Version 1.0 of this protocol is now freely usable with full-functional security.
Sustainable construction
Construction consumes significant amounts of resources and is one of the largest producers of greenhouse gases. For these reasons alone, social development aimed at sustainability is inconceivable without the essential contributions of the construction industry. bauma will present the diverse approaches in the construction machinery world for sustainable construction.
Every bauma also presents new ideas from the construction machinery industry to further improve safety on the construction site and the working conditions for employees. These also include ergonomic and intuitive controls, vibration-damping technologies, as well as driver assistance, telematics and overload indicator systems.
Mining challenges
The global mining industry faces the challenge of securing the economic supply of raw materials while minimising negative impacts on the environment, climate and people. At bauma, exhibitors will showcase the latest technology solutions to overcome the challenges mining faces.
On the one hand, developments such as urbanisation and industrialisation, as well as the energy transition, create a huge international hunger for raw materials. On the other hand, investors and regulatory authorities increasingly demand that mining companies comply with ESG criteria. In order to make supplying raw materials even more
efficient, secure and sustainable in the future, the industry is pursuing various innovative approaches that will be presented in detail in the Mining sector area at bauma.
In the interest of climate protection, but also to reduce exhaust emissions underground, thus benefiting operations, switching to alternative drives has long been one of the measures for environmentally friendly raw material extraction. Every three years, bauma provides a complete overview of the use of and new developments in battery and wired electric vehicles, diesel-electric hybrids, and hydrogen drives.
A comparatively new, smart solution for generating energy for excavators, screening machines and conveyor belts at gravel pits, with no emissions and right at the extraction site, are photovoltaic power plants that float on the quarry ponds. Germany is regarded as one of the international pioneers in implementing these floating solar systems.
In conclusion, as bauma 2025 approaches, the global stage is set for transformative discussions and groundbreaking innovations that will define the future of construction and mining. With a spotlight on climate neutrality, alternative drive concepts, networked construction, sustainable building practices and solutions to evolving mining challenges, the event promises to inspire a new era of resilience and sustainability in the construction industry.
bauma 2025 is not just a trade show; it is a catalyst for change, uniting thought leaders and innovators to pave the way for a smarter, greener, and more connected future. n
latest innovations from around the engineering and manufacturing industry
Blackfinch Ventures invests in Adia
Thermal to accelerate heat pump adoption
Blackfinch Ventures, part of the Blackfinch Group, has invested £300k in Adia Thermal, a UK startup transforming the heat pump market with its innovative retrofit technology.
Adia’s patent-pending hardware and software solution allows heat pumps to be retrofitted into homes without the need for extensive pipework or lengthy installation processes. Unlike conventional installations which can take weeks and require specialist engineers, Adia’s technology enables installation by regular boiler engineers in as little as three days, and even during boiler breakdowns.
Blackfinch’s Energy Transition EIS Portfolios provides investors with access to pioneering startups developing technologies that enable cleaner, more efficient energy generation, storage and distribution. Adia Thermal joins a growing portfolio of companies that reflect the potential for innovation in energy transition markets, which span a diverse range of sectors such as buildings, industry and transport.
With heating accounting for 14% of the UK’s carbon emissions and 85% of homes
still reliant on gas boilers, the government has set an ambitious target to install 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028. However, heat pump adoption faces significant barriers, including high costs, long installation times and the need for extensive retrofitting in older properties.
“Over 60% of UK boiler sales come from breakdowns, and by then it’s too late to get a heat pump, as current installation timescales are approximately four weeks or more,” said Luke Hodgkinson, CEO of Adia Thermal. “With Adia Thermal, a heat pump can be fitted in three days – as quickly and easily as a gas boiler – saving homeowners thousands of pounds and letting them switch to greener heating without months of planning.
“This investment from Blackfinch will help us scale our solution and bring the benefits of clean heating to many more homes across the UK.”
Electric roller debut
EHS 2025 will be the first time SANY Road Machinery UK has exhibited at the show and it will debut the new SANY STR50E light tandem roller, which is the first in its weight class with fully electric drive and vibration.
SANY has designed the STR50E light tandem roller with one thing in mind, to build the first battery-powered, fully-electric, 4.5 tonne roller in the world.
This has been accomplished by adopting the latest battery technology, which utilises a large, cobalt free, 60 kWh
lithium-iron-phosphate battery sourced from CATL, one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers.
The fully electric drive and vibration system of the STR50E makes it highly efficient and allows for energy recuperation when changing from forward to backward movement and when slowing down, just like a Formula 1 car.
The large battery pack also ensures that the STR50E-10 can run for many hours, 4-6, in real world conditions before it will need charging by the on-board charger.
Along with the state-of-the-art power system, the STR50E also has an ergonomically designed operator’s platform, which allows full side to side movement with swivel action, for maximum visibility and the two electronic control levers maximise operational flexibility.
The STR50E is a significant first step in zero emission plant from SANY Road Machinery with other machines arriving later in 2025 and follows on from the successful launch of fully electric SY19E and SY215E excavators. n
ULO Systems has more than half a century’s experience within the global offshore construction industry, providing high-quality grouting products and services. And with demand increasing within the offshore wind seg ment, ULO is gearing up for growth. General Manager Gregory Sauvage and Senior Executives discussed the latest developments, during an in-depth interview with Imogen Ward.
When it comes to the offshore industry, UAE-based ULO Systems is a name renowned for quality. After dedicating a vast amount of time to expanding its capabilities across the entire offshore industry, the company is busier than ever.
“ULO is divided into two areas of expertise –products and projects – and we have grown rapidly on both sides,” explained General Manager Gregory Sauvage. “2024 has seen more projects initiated within the offshore wind segment, while the products side of the business is heavily focused on delivering to the Middle East region.”
Supporting new projects
To date, the offshore wind industry has been a successful endeavour for ULO, which has successfully delivered around 280 jackets (equating to more than 2.5GW of offshore wind energy).
One major project that has contributed significantly to these figures is Hai Long
Offshore Wind Project in Taiwan. Designed to have a total capacity of around 1.02GW, the idea for Hai Long materialised from the country’s desire to spearhead renewable energy development and implement a more localised industry.
This project not only marks a significant milestone for Taiwan, but also breaks new ground for ULO as the company’s first GW venture within the country.
“This has been a huge achievement for us, and an incredibly successful one at that,” said Mr Sauvage. “In 2024 alone, we performed offshore grouting operations for 37 jacket foundations and two offshore substations in line with the client’s objectives, and our performance was exceptional all year long.”
In total, in Taiwan alone, ULO has successfully grouted 100+ jackets foundations, largely for its customers BOSKALIS and CDWE, with the use of its vessel the Green Jade (Taiwan’s first offshore installation newbuild vessel),
which has been launched in Taiwan since 2023.
Each jacket was constructed using SikaGrout-9800, which was chosen for its reliability and localised production.
“We have to ensure that all elements of the jacket are up to standard and have high strength capabilities, because these structures need to support high-capacity turbines in heavy wind, 150 metres above ground level,” continued Mr Sauvage.
“SikaGrout-9800 fit those requirements, and we worked closely with Sika Taiwan to ensure the whole project ran smoothly,” explained Brendan Vaz, ULO Systems Engineering Manager.
The company is also working on several major projects in Saudi Arabia, where it has established its own division called ULO Saudi Arabia. This company is under the management of Sami Kanaan.
With localisation in the Kingdom increasing swiftly, ULO is keen to invest in this crucial area of business.
“ULO Saudi Arabia is now building its own double shaft mixer, which is being constructed entirely, from design to operational start-up, locally and with prime involvement of Saudi nationals,” added Mr Kanaan. “This will make a significant difference to our Saudi-based operations as the Kingdom continues to advance towards maximised localisation ahead of Vision 2030.”
This dedication to localisation is matched by ULO’s unwavering commitment to quality. According to Mr Sauvage, there are no second chances when it comes to getting things right.
“In terms of design, we need to make sure our foundations are strong,” explained Mr Sauvage. “So, we carry out cube testing strictly as per customer specification on several separate stages, including seven days after casting and at the 28-day mark, at which point the casting is sent off to a third-party lab for verification. If the results come back below a specified value, then the whole foundation could be rejected, so it is incredibly important that we get things right first time.”
This meticulous approach to quality is a cornerstone of ULO’s operations, and it will play a vital role as the company embarks on its ambitious plans for expansion.
A broadening scope
With expansion on the cards for 2025 and beyond, ULO has its sights set on several major regions; the first being Asia Pacific. With the region’s wind activities on the rise, ULO is witnessing a lot of great development in Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Australia.
“We have already seen the completion of a pilot project in South Korea, and the
country has since announced its plans for the future development of 15GW of fixedbottom wind farm installations,” commented Mr Sauvage. “Japan has also laid out ambitions for increasing its offshore wind capacity reaching up to 40GW by 2040, and Australia is close behind with its goals to implement an additional 25GW of offshore wind capacity to its power grid. With numerous opportunities on the horizon, we are confident that this market will remain a source of promising prospects in the years to come.”
ULO is also interested in expanding its activities out further into Europe, having completed a long list of successful projects in the North Sea and Baltic Sea regions. As a starting point, the company is looking to extend its local set up with a new offshore yard in the UK.
“Traditionally, we have entered these regions via the oil and gas industry,” said Mr Sauvage. “However, we are more focused on new wind energy opportunities within the region. In the past, we had a yard in Holland for local mobilisation, but now we are also growing our presence in the UK and its fast-expanding wind industry.”
Not only would this help ULO provide a more localised service within the UK, but with the company keen to recruit local graduates, it would also mean more positive economic growth for the area.
“We have had a lot of positive experience over the years working with UK-based offshore personnel, especially within our European projects,” continued Mr Sauvage. “So, we will continue to hire technicians and engineers from the region and mobilise directly from there.”
ULO has also been busy on the other side of the Atlantic, developing a strategic partnership with a US-based company, which it hopes will help expand its presence in the region.
A bright future
Although the energy mix future is not certain, especially with the industry undergoing such a prominent transition, Mr Sauvage is excited to see what it will hold for ULO Systems.
“A lot of the people tackling wind energy today, were working within the oil and gas industry 10-15 years ago, so there’s a whole host of knowledge being transplanted from one segment to another, all of which will be crucial for continued success,” said Mr Sauvage, in conclusion. “The energy industry in general continues to grow, and it will be interesting to see where it leads us in the near future.
“Until then, ULO Systems will maintain its customer-centric approach, because our ability to listen to our customers is what helps us stand out against the competition. It also ensures we remain innovative and attuned to their specific needs. We strive to build a team culture to go above and beyond each and every time, to ensure excellence, surpass expectations, only targeting to achieve outstanding results.”
It also ensures we remain innovative and attuned to their specific needs, while going above and beyond each and every time.”
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How to be and successful in
Clancy Construction is one of Ireland’s leading construction companies.
Alongside a well-earned reputation for attention to detail, the business has made significant strides towards longterm sustainable solutions. Sustainability Lead Tom O’Malley and Managing Director John O’Shaughnessy explained more to Hannah Barnett.
Having already outlined a sustainability strategy two years before, 2024 was all about turning innovation into action at Clancy Construction.
This was well-demonstrated by an investment in onsite hybrid battery power at a site in Dublin. One 200KW battery pack was introduced at the site in Stillorgan, followed by two 50KW units for smaller sites in Cork and Limerick. Rather than continuing to rely solely on diesel-fuelled generators, the company has reduced burning to approximately five hours a day, a reduction of 50%.
“We are one of the first in the industry to adopt these batteries,” Sustainability Lead Tom O’Malley explained. “In Stillorgan, where we had three generators onsite, we now have a single generator feeding a massive battery, powering the site. Plus, that generator doesn’t idle during the day, it comes on to top-up the battery only when needed. We’ve reduced our carbon footprint significantly.”
Indeed, the solution has resulted in an approximate 70% reduction in emissions. Additionally, the move was recognised with a nomination for Technology Innovation at the Property Industry Excellence Awards 2024, alongside partners Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and JTM Energy.
Sustainable success
Clancy Construction recorded a healthy turnover of €141 million in 2024 and is on course to hit €160 million this year. This puts the company well above its earlier target of €130 million by the end of 2025.
With just under 200 employees and growing, a significant challenge remains in trying to keep carbon emissions down while revenue rises. The baseline has moved since Clancy Construction began monitoring carbon footprint at the start of 2023, despite the significant carbon-reduction measures implemented. The solution has been to measure kilograms of carbon per Euro of revenue.
“This is a great way to map where we’re at,” Mr O’Malley explained. “Because if we’d just done kilogram for kilogram of carbon, our footprint is bigger. But we’ve nearly doubled our 2023 revenue of €75 million. So, there is an increase in the number of sites and the size of the jobs are bigger. But the good news is that we’re emitting less carbon.”
In January 2023, the company emitted 29kg of carbon per Euro. By October 2024, this figure had decreased to 11.5kg, a 60.3% reduction. If Clancy Construction had continued emitting carbon at the January 2023 rate while achieving the 2024 turnover, emissions would have been 2,415 tonnes higher.
Interestingly, Clancy Construction’s sustainability programme has contributed to this increase in revenue. Specifically,
the company’s careful documentation of the measures it has taken have helped in winning contracts for public- and privately-funded work.
“We’ve noticed that private equity funds now want to know our sustainability strategy,” John O’Shaughnessy, Managing Director, said. “We’ve had several enquiries wanting to see the documents. Many funds today are highly aware of environmental concerns and prioritise working within a sustainable supply chain.
“We were among the few companies to introduce a strategy like this in 2022. Some of the largest Tier 1 contractors would have had it, but for a company of our size back then, this was quite remarkable. We were an outlier.”
A strong strategy
The sustainability strategy has always been based around three equal pillars of ‘people, planet and performance.’ It is holistic in scope, including measures focused on safety at work and partnerships with charities that are mindfully selected – ones with connections to Clancy Construction employees, for example.
More unusually, Clancy Construction also encourages staff to develop their own skills wherever possible. “If anyone approaches us who wants to improve themselves in education, if we can accommodate their studies, then we do so,” said Mr O’Malley. “We had a site engineer complete a structural engineering degree last year, which is fantastic.”
Unsurprisingly, the company enjoys an excellent reputation in the industry. Mr O’Shaughnessy shared an example from a committee meeting for the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), where he heard Clancy Construction’s sustainable policies spoken of in high regard.
“The person in question had started with the CIF a few months before,” Mr O’Shaughnessy continued. “He didn’t know who I was, but he mentioned our sustainability strategy with 34 senior executives from the construction industry present. He said Clancy Construction’s approach is an excellent example of dealing with carbon emissions and sustainability in construction.”
The company recently introduced a code of practice for suppliers that provide
services over a value of €250k. The code was reviewed several times by the supply chain team to ensure it was measurable and 98% of relevant suppliers signed up in 2024. “Our aim for 2025 is to audit a few key suppliers,” explained Mr O’Malley. “With CSRD reporting beginning in 2026, this will position us well for the transition next January.”
The company has established long-term partnerships with many of these suppliers; some stretch back over 20 years. Much of the longevity of these relationships is thanks to a winning formula of fairness, loyalty and simplicity.
“We never impose counter-charges on suppliers to cut costs,” Mr O’Shaughnessy said. “During the recession, we ensured prompt payments to our supply chain without attempting to reduce their overall fees, a practice that was common at the time. But we looked after our supply chain. Since then, we’ve had loyalty back.”
Forward focused
Always an innovative business, the next step in Clancy’s journey will explore the possibilities of AI. The company is already working
Tom O’Malley, Sustainability Lead
John O’Shaughnessy , Managing Director
with Dixon Humphreys, a company that accelerates the AI capability of individuals and organisations.
“We have formed what we call a ‘Ninja Team’,” explained Mr O’Shaughnessy. “This is roughly 30 people who have identified several construction projects that can benefit from the use of AI. Their task for the next few months is to build up the use of these different tools to make the business more efficient and effective. Everybody is talking about AI. It’s not going away, so we must embrace it.”
The company will also focus on upholding its six core values of: safety, professionalism, Teamwork/collaboration, quality, loyalty/commitment and sustainability. The way Clancy Construction does this is by first ensuring senior management are aligned and then inspiring the rest of the team.
“I now collect data each month from our sustainability champions on every site,” said Mr O’Malley. “It’s been the same people since the beginning. This means it’s not just me; they’re wanting to see a difference too. It’s all very positive. If everyone believes in the strategy and follows it, then the trajectory towards net zero should continue.”
“There are many things a business needs to make it a success,” Mr O’Shaughnessy concluded, “but I think it’s about having a clear purpose, vision, and living by our core values each and every day with a robust strategy well communicated to everybody within the organisation. And we do that. Whether you’re selling flowers or building multi-storey buildings, it’s the same principle. Our job as leaders is to run those businesses efficiently. Then I think we can make a huge difference.” n
one planet – one chance – one voice
Manufacturing & Services
An introduction to the manufacturing and services sectors, with business advice and a special report about the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, followed by company profiles.
Inside Sustainability asks the experts about their personal experience in the industry
inside minds Sustainability
Question:
What is the best single piece of business advice you have ever received?
If you’re not going forwards, then you’re going backwards, and if you don’t know what to do, then do nothing. These are quite contradictory ideas, but the best thing about advice is that you can choose not to take it.
Mark McCluggage, Director, Sheerwater Glass
What I have learnt from my current company is to always be price proud. We cannot expect our customers to value our services if we don’t.
Adam Griffith, National Technical Manager, Hydro-X Group
True success comes from patience, humility and the strength to persist through challenges.
Rahul Roy, Area Sales Manager, REDA Chemicals
The most valuable business advice I have ever received is to focus on building good relationships. Trust and collaboration – whether with customers, partners or your team – can help you reach a lasting success and helps you enjoy your work.
The construction sector can be quite demanding, so it’s important to have resilience. You have to reflect and continually reinvent yourself to be successful. The ability to adapt and be flexible is essential.
John Fenner, Group Compliance Director, John F Hunt
Be transparent, be professional and maintain quality standards.
Bashir Al-Azem, CEO, Saudi Constructioneers
An overview of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Champion of the circular economy
Launched in 2010, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is an international charity with the aim of accelerating the transition to the circular economy. Inside Sustainability presents a short summary of the work of the Foundation.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation develops and promotes the circular economy in order to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste and pollution. The Foundation works with a network of private and public sector decision-makers, as well as academia, to build capacity and explore collaborative opportunities, plus developing the circular economy.
Increasingly based on renewable energy, a circular economy is driven by design to eliminate waste, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature, to create resilience and prosperity for business, the environment and society.
Biography
Dame Ellen MacArthur made yachting history in 2005, when she became the fastest solo sailor to circumnavigate the globe. She remains the UK’s most successful offshore racer ever, having won the Ostar, the Route du Rhum and finished second in the Vendée
Globe. She received the French Legion of Honour from President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, three years after being knighted by HM Queen Elizabeth II.
Having become acutely aware of the finite nature of the resources on which our linear economy relies, she retired from professional sailing to launch the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in 2010. The Foundation works to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, helping to establish the subject on the agenda of decision-makers around the world.
Since the publication of its first economic report in 2012, the Foundation has launched global initiatives on plastics, fashion and food, developed innovation networks with educators, businesses and governments, and released more than 20 reports and books. Dame Ellen is a World Economic Forum Global Agenda Trustee for Environment and Natural Resource Security, and she sat on the European Commission’s Resource Efficiency Platform between 2012 and 2014.
The Big Challenge
One current project for the Foundation is the Big Food Redesign Challenge. This reached a major milestone at a showcase event at London’s Fortnum & Mason on 30th January 2025. The event featured real-world examples of how food can be designed to regenerate nature, while meeting climate and biodiversity goals.
In collaboration with the Sustainable Food Trust, the Challenge invited entrants to redesign existing items – or create entirely new ones – using circular economy principles that help to regenerate nature.
By rethinking the way food is designed –from ingredients to production – 57 ambitious producers, start-ups, suppliers and retailers around the world embraced circular design for food, creating 141 products designed to regenerate nature. Participants included household names, such as Nestlé, Waitrose, and Wildfarmed. Compared with the food industry average, these products are better for the climate, biodiversity and soil health.
Branded alongside a ‘Nature in mind’ logo to help customers identify them, Challenge products will now be showcased on the Foundation website and have the opportunity to be stocked at leading supermarkets Carrefour Brasil Group, Casa Rica and
Waitrose, as well as food retailers Abel & Cole, Fortnum & Mason, and Quitanda.
“Regenerating nature lies at the heart of the circular economy and is vital to tackling climate change and biodiversity loss,” said Jonquil Hackenberg, CEO of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. “How we produce and consume food is one of the most powerful ways we can do that and the products in the Challenge have shown this is possible.
“By rethinking the ingredients and their production, participants demonstrated that through intentional design choices, we can produce food that helps nature to thrive – unlike today’s current food system, which tends to make nature fit our needs. Now that we’ve shown what is possible, it’s time to take bold steps and build a new food system that is better for people, nature and climate.” n
Nestled in the Kvarken Archipelago World Heritage area, Marja Bothnia Berries is renowned for honouring the authentic flavours of Nordic berries. From the tanginess of its Lingonberries to the rich sweetness of its bilberries, every Marja Bothnia berry is hand-picked with care and quickly frozen to retain its delicious flavour. Meanwhile, the company abides by its own sustainability commitments to avoid harming the environment within which its produce grows so fruitfully. Export Manager Matias Kantola explored this commitment further, during an in-depth interview with Imogen Ward.
When it comes to wild berries, Finland-based Marja Bothnia Berries is an expert. Proud to rely on 100% uncultivated produce, the greenthumbed supplier operates off foundations that consist of over 40 years’ experience in the berry business.
These strong foundations have ensured Marja Bothnia Berries prioritises ethics and customer relations above all else, and the company’s machinery-free picking is an excellent example of such. From the get-go,
the company has relied upon skilled pickers traversing various landscapes to carefully pick the ripest berries. From Sweden’s pine forests and lichen-covered heaths to Finland’s wetlands, all are left unharmed.
“We endeavour to care for the environment and leave nature as we found it,” explained Export Manager Matias Kantola. “That is why all our berries are picked by hand.”
The company’s pickers travel across the entirety of Finland and northern Sweden to gather the highest quality berries. A task
MARJA BOTHNIA BERRIES I PROFILE
“In total, 90 per cent of our annual berry intake is harvested by pickers from Thailand,” explained Mr Kantola. “Although we don’t rely on machinery for picking, we eagerly adopt innovative solutions to make the process as comfortable as possible for our pickers.”
which is made easier thanks to the Everyman’s Rights that apply in Sweden and Finland.
“The beauty of the Everyman’s Rights is that anyone can become a picker,” said Mr Kantola. “It makes access to wild berries that much easier and also provides us with an additional unconventional source of produce. Any free picker can bring their harvested berries to one of our purchasing points situated across Finland, where they will be purchased and added to our harvest for that year.”
Picking with care
During the harvesting season, Marja Bothnia Berries relies on a workforce of experienced pickers who fly in from Thailand to get the job done. While working, these pickers receive support from the company, whose mission is to ensure the very best quality crops without compromising on employee wellbeing.
Marja Bothnia Berries has introduced longer picking tools to minimise the time pickers spend bending over, which in turn has improved efficiency and reduced physical strain. The company also pays a fair wage, which covers the typical 60-day harvesting period and equates to more than the average annual wage in Thailand.
cannot work the entire season and have to return home,” continued Mr Kantola.
“We compensate these individuals, to ensure they still receive earnings across the entire period.”
In line with ISO 26000, these employment practices are an essential element of Marja Bothnia Berries’ dedication to social sustainability.
Bountiful wild berries
Thanks to the efforts of its local and seasonal workers, Marja Bothnia Berries offers six different types of berries, which are available in both conventional and organic forms – the latter of which are fully certified
by KRAV and LUOMU. The result is a portfolio of berries that also comply with FSSC 22000 certification.
The company abides by very specific picking guidelines to ensure its organic berries are correctly labelled as such; however, because of the wild growth of the produce, Marja Bothnia Berries can guarantee some of the cleanest berries on the market, regardless of their label. This is a big plus over other market alternatives which often rely on harmful pesticides, result in soil degradation and require significant irrigation to ensure successful crops.
“Due to their wild nature, our berries are not cultivated in any way or exposed to any form of chemical treatment,” revealed Mr Kantola.
MARJA BOTHNIA BERRIES I
“That is why, in my opinion, customers appreciate our berries.”
Once picked, the berries are then quickly transported by RH Trans Oy, Marja Bothnia Berries’ logistics subsidiary, to the parent company’s facilities. There, they are quickfrozen to preserve their flavour and nutritional value, before being cleaned according to customer call-offs with a capacity up to 5,000kg/hour.
This meticulous process is applied to many of the berry lines, including Lingonberries, the company’s most popular offering, which are harvested in August and September and account for a large portion of the company’s annual production. Similarly, another customer favourite is bilberries, picked in large amounts, and appreciated because of their delicious flavour and natural health benefits.
With additional options such as cloudberries and crowberries also on offer, Marja Bothnia Berries provides a diverse selection of delights, ensuring its wild-grown produce remain a top choice for healthconscious consumers.
A sustainable future
The company also produces a range of NFC juices and purees. These juices are manufactured using those berries that fall short of Marja Bothnia Berries’ stringent quality standards.
“This is an incredibly exciting venture that started full production this year,” said Mr Kantola. “It is a really important development for us as we seek to minimise our waste output as much as possible. With the implementation of this new line, our waste is now limited to forest material.”
This is not the only new development occurring at Marja Bothnia Berries’ facility in 2025; the company is also working to upgrade its packaging lines to further enhance its offering to the bakery sector. For example, adding in a range of 2.5kg options to its line of 10kg box and 25kg paper sacks.
“We operate several packing lines in our factory, including a 10-kilo box line specifically designed for smaller orders from bakeries and commercial kitchens,” explained Mr Kantola. “This year, we are focused on optimising this line to enhance production efficiency and provide our customers with the best possible service. We aim to have a large portion of
these upgrades complete before the end of the year.”
Already operating carbon neutral facilities, this upgrade is set to further improve Marja Bothnia Berries’ impact on the planet.
Some of the ways in which the company has achieved this crucial green status, includes proudly relying on 100% renewable energy. Not only does Marja Bothnia Berries have its own solar panels, but it also purchases wind powered green energy to cover the rest of its requirements.
As it continues to operate with a focus on sustainability, Marja Bothnia Berries intends to enhance this aspect of its operations even further in the future.
“We bring people and nature together; that is unlikely to change any time soon,” said Mr Kantola, in conclusion. “Although the future remains uncertain, we are continually dedicated to enhancing our production line with new technological advancements that further enhance our efficiency. It is through this ongoing dedication to progress that we can ensure the highest quality berries with the smallest environmental footprint.”
MARJA BOTHNIA BERRIES I PROFILE
with integrity
Liberty Mills Limited is one of the largest textile processing and production companies in Karachi, Pakistan. The company is part of Liberty Group, which generates a yearly revenue of $650 million. VP Apparel, Sales & Marketing Shakeel Akhtar discussed innovation and sustainable initiatives. Report by Antonia Cole.
Established in 1964, Liberty Mills recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, VP Apparel, Sales & Marketing Shakeel Akhtar said: “The company has grown so much over the years. We are now a top 10 supplier to Europe and the USA, and we continue to enhance our capabilities year-on-year. Our clients include globally recognised brands, department stores and mail-order firms, so you can see our products everywhere.”
Liberty Mills is a vertically-integrated textile mill that produces home, apparel and institutional fabrics. The company has a state-of-the-art facility that produces approximately 500,000m2 of fabric per day, generating an annual revenue of $252 million. From this total, $127 million comes from
the home sector, $77 million from apparel and $48 million from institutions.
The company controls the whole process of production, guaranteeing high standards are met at every stage. From spinning, weaving and knitting, and fabric finishing to cutting,
sewing, packaging and fibre recycling, Liberty Mills’ skilled employees ensure quality controls are met in every finished product.
“At Liberty Mills, we are supported by our sister companies in the Liberty group,” added Mr Akhtar. “This includes Pakistan Aluminium & Beverage Cans, Liberty Wind Solar & Thermal Power, and Oncogen Pharmaceuticals. The establishment of these companies has allowed us to evolve Liberty Mills and its capabilities. Our renewable energy company not only supplies our own power sustainably, but also to other companies. This underscores our strong commitment to the environment.”
Innovative manufacturing
As Liberty Mills is vertically integrated, all aspects of the production process are completed internally. The creation of a piece of fabric begins with spinning the yarn. Liberty Mills has a monthly yarn production of 21 million pounds, as well as the ability to use a variety of yarn techniques including melanges, space dyes and blends. The company’s modern machines are also able to process sustainable raw materials such as recycled poly, cotton, viscose, hemp and linen. Additionally, the facility is powered by one of the group’s 6MW solar and wind power plants.
With 248 looms, including smart shed capability, and plans to have 600 looms by 2025, Liberty Mills is able to cater to a wide variety of clients. Moreover, the company has 20 knitting machines with a capacity of 45 tonnes per day.
“Another important part of our process is fabric finishing,” explained Mr Akhtar. “We have one digital and six rotary printers, three bleaching lines and 16 finishing stenters, as well as peaching and raising lines. We are fully equipped with the latest technology to
accommodate our clients’ needs and are able to dye 40 tonnes of fabric per day.”
Liberty Mills has Pakistan’s first LEED Gold
Certified home textile stitching unit, with automated fabric spreaders, stitching lines and smart system embroideries. The company’s focus on efficient production limits energy
use and minimises its environmental impact. Every month, Liberty Mills cuts up to 2.8 million pieces of fabric and sews 2.5 million.
“Sustainability is very important to us, which is why we recycle up to 700,000 pieces of cotton waste per month,” continued Mr Akhtar. “Our advanced technology shreds garments
and sheets, as well as both soft and hard waste from the entire production process. We also have a strategic partnership with Pinnacle Fibers for the recycling of polyester. Reducing waste sent to landfill is essential for a more environmentally-conscious future. We are always taking the necessary steps to become more sustainable.”
Environmental initiatives
Protecting the environment in operations is a major target for Liberty Mills. The company aims to instil sustainability values throughout the company by giving employees the opportunity to participate in a range of environmental training programmes. This includes sessions on Scope 3 calculations. Additionally, Liberty Mills has its own sustainability team,
who are committed to continuously improving the company’s impact.
“Sustainability is important to us and to the wider industry too,” commented Mr Akhtar. “We are proud to have been recognised in 2022 by the Annual Environment Excellence Awards and to have received a certificate of excellence from NFEH’s Corporate Social Responsibility Awards in 2023. We were also runners-up in ASDA’s Sustainability Awards for our use of post-consumer waste to produce duvet sets, which saves on water, waste and carbon.”
Liberty Mills has submitted its Scope 1 and 2 targets to SBTi, demonstrating its commitment to reaching net zero emissions. The company is ISO 14001:2015 certified and is involved in various environmental initiatives. For example, Liberty Mills is passionate about better cotton farming and has one million acres of land dedicated to sustainable practices, producing 800,000 tonnes of cotton per year.
The company also implements recycling initiatives throughout production. This includes recycling up to 80% of water waste, 10 million plastic bottles and 72,000 tonnes of polyester. The knit fabric range prioritises recycled
cotton-based products, making sustainability accessible to clients.
“We use the Higg Index to measure the impact of our products’ life cycles,” added Mr Akhtar. “From this, we have been able to engage with our suppliers to limit our impact. Diesel consumption has decreased by 8.75 per cent, solar energy production has increased by 267 per cent and overall waste has been reduced by 28 per cent. These are fantastic results that we hope to maintain into the future.”
Social responsibility
As a company, Liberty Mills is dedicated to diversity and inclusion within the workplace. CEO Taimoor Mukaty is a member of the Champions of Change Coalition, promoting women’s empowerment in the workplace. This initiative aims to develop the appropriate infrastructures to support female members of staff throughout Liberty Mills.
“We are an equal opportunity employer and are passionate about supporting the wellbeing of all members of staff, regardless of age, gender or disabilities,” said Mr Akhtar. “Some of our workforce are hearing impaired, so we provide sign language interpreters for
effective communication. We are partnered with NOWPDP to continue providing opportunities to those with disabilities.”
Liberty Mills works with suppliers and partners that share its values for corporate social and environmental sustainability, enabling the company to achieve more through collaboration. For example, Liberty Mills provides 18,000 free meals each day to those in need, as well as funding the education of 1,100 students.
“At Liberty Mills, we choose our partners based on quality and responsibility,” continued Mr Akhtar, in conclusion. “This allows us to work together to reach our common goals. We will continue to invest in the quality and production of our products, as well as opportunities for employees and environmental protection.” n
Closing the loop on
When it comes to London’s food waste, local recycler Bio Collectors is on a mission to instigate change using anaerobic digestion. With more than 15 years’ experience behind it and a strong hyper-localised business model, the company is closing the loop on the UK’s food waste. Commercial Director Phil Roche discussed the latest developments, during an in-depth interview with Inside Sustainability. Report by Imogen Ward.
Bio Collectors evolved from the rescue of a failing composting plant and one man’s desire to make a difference.
“The company was founded in 2009 by Paul Killoughery, a well-known figure in the industry, who felt he could improve the
anaerobic digestion process,” explained Commercial Director Phil Roche. “And we have remained at the forefront of London’s anaerobic digestion sector ever since.”
Initially established with one food waste truck, the company has gone on to evolve
FOOD WASTE SPECIMEN
SPECIMEN
Like any recycling company, Bio Collectors continuously strives for a more circular economy, and thanks to its hyper-localised business model, it is achieving these exact results along the M25.
“Unlike conventional anaerobic digestion, which relies on crops grown specifically for the waste-to-energy process, we take domestic and commercial food waste that might otherwise be deemed contaminated and give it a new lease of life,” revealed Mr Roche.
Bio Collectors utilises its fleet of vehicles to collect customers’ waste, ready for
processing. Once it arrives at the facility, the waste is then assessed for any contaminants and sent for separation once given the ‘all clear’. The waste is then ground to a paste before entering the company’s digestion tanks where it is broken down into various resources, including methane. This is then purified and utilised to power the company’s eco-friendly vehicle fleet and its plant.
“We also upgrade any excess gas and directly inject it into the national grid to help power the UK’s homes with cleaner, greener energy,” continued Mr Roche. “In doing so,
By employing a hyper-localised, closed loop method Bio Collectors cuts out unnecessary traveling, reduces carbon emissions and streamlines operations for greater efficiency and sustainability. All while operating at 92% capacity and collecting between 5,000 and 6,000 bins per week.
we generate enough gas to power around 11,000 homes on a daily basis.”
Every byproduct of the process is utilised, from the waste packaging (which is separated and processed) to the digestate, which is BSI PAS 110 certified and nutrient rich – making it the perfect fertiliser for local farms.
Bio Collectors has mastered this approach, earning prestigious recognition and multiple awards, including an AD & Biogas Industry award, a Circular Economy award, and an SME National Business Silver award.
The company’s green method also attracted the attention of major renewable energy infrastructure investment fund JLEN Environmental Assets Group, which went on to acquire 100% of the business in 2024.
New guidance
JLEN, which is owned and operated by longstanding investor Foresight Group, had the size and experience needed to take Bio Collectors to the next level.
“Everything that Bio Collectors had achieved in the past was really driven by Paul and his passion for the business,” said Mr Roche. “However, it got the point where further market expansion would require a greater vision and a larger investment that only a board and an investment firm could supply.
“It has been a big transition for the company, but one that has brought a lot of stability and benefits. Being large companies, both JLEN and Foresight have significant expertise that we can absorb and learn from, which is great.”
Bio Collectors has made sure to make the most of this newfound expertise, to ensure its processes are as efficient as possible. To achieve this, the company has recently replaced its tank membranes. Although costly, this investment will significantly
improve the efficiency of Bio Collector’s tanks for a minimum of five years.
“The number one problem that our industry faces is abatement, so regular equipment upgrades are essential to mitigate the risk of methane leaks,” explained Mr Roche. “Our membranes act as liners that help prevent gas from escaping into the atmosphere. So replacing them was crucial.”
Keen to remain at the leading-edge, the company also introduced a new transport management system to optimise its routes. Purgo provides smart planning for transport operators, in order to successfully minimise the cost of empty journeys, optimise fleet utilisation and react to last-minute changes. Bio Collectors is also relying on this new system to provide more accurate bin-weight data.
Bio Collectors also collaborates closely with UK distributor S+A Blackwell Ltd, moving to the 100% natural FerroBio for H2S control in the digester. FerroBio is safer to handle than Ferric Chloride, non-corrosive on Bio Collectors’ plant and healthy for the digester’s biology.
Improving recycling rates
Having an efficient process is incredibly important to Bio Collectors, especially as it gears up for an increased demand.
This efficiency is matched by the versatility of its operations: as long as you can eat it, Bio Collectors can process it – an advantage that sets it apart from many other recycling initiatives.
“What can go in a recycling bin varies from borough to borough, and that lack of consistency can be really confusing for people,” said Mr Roche. “The biggest challenge recycling companies have is people’s apathy, which often leads to a lack of separation. This isn’t a problem when it comes to food waste. Food waste is simple: people put food in the bin, and we take it away.”
With food waste recycling so easy, more homes and businesses feel encouraged to partake and do so correctly. This is reflected in Bio Collectors’ contamination rates which are at an all-time low. Only 4% of all domestic waste collected by Bio Collectors is contaminated and 0% is rejected. These figures are slightly higher on the commercial side, with around 20% of waste being contaminated. However, the company is on a mission to get these statistics down.
“We work closely with our clients to help them reduce their contamination rates,” explained Mr Roche. “When we work with a new company, we calculate analytical data that helps us rationalise waste streams and set new targets for improvement.”
Education is also a major factor in Bio Collector’s mission to improve contamination
rates. According to Mr Roche, businesses need to take a leaf out of the municipal book and start sorting their waste as if they were at home. The incoming Food Waste Legislation that comes into effect in April is also expected to have a significant impact in ensuring every business sorts its waste correctly.
Despite this being a positive change for the industry, Mr Roche is also fearful that it could lead to the country harbouring a surplus of food waste without enough facilities to properly process it.
“Our permit allows us to process 100,000 tonnes of food waste each year, but with the country’s plans to implement a more circular approach to recycling, the amount of waste being properly processed is bound to increase,” explained Mr Roche. “And as lot of Government subsidies come to an end, which most anaerobic digestion facilities rely upon, things feel very uncertain. One thing is for sure though, no matter what the future brings, the government needs to act soon to ensure there will be enough facilities in the UK to cover future demand.”
Ingredient Solutions is a leading cheese supplier, providing comprehensive product development to large manufacturers and foodservice companies. Offering technical expertise and manufacturing experience, the company provides high-quality results. Procurement Manager Claire O’Gorman, Managing Director Gary Davies and Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator Gerard Cronin discussed investments and sustainability, in conversation with Antonia Cole.
ASa company, Ingredient Solutions is constantly evolving, Managing Director Gary Davies said: “One big change is the retirement of our founder Ian Galletly. He has formally hung up his cheese iron and will be missed. He started the business 25 years ago and will be back to cut the ribbon of our new factory in the summer of 2025.
“I have been given the pleasure of stepping into his role and, with a phenomenal team of people, a new factory and a global presence, I am excited to drive the business forward and build on his legacy.”
“Gary Davies, with years as a Sales Director and extensive cheese expertise, has now stepped into the Managing Director role, ready to drive growth, innovation and strengthen industry relationships for success,”
explained Procurement Manager Claire O’Gorman. “We wish him luck in the new role.”
From consultancy and product design to prototype development and full-service production, the company offers a personalised service that meets a range of client demands. Exporting to over 30 countries, Ingredient Solutions has a diverse portfolio of products designed to meet the specific needs of various industries.
The company’s facility is located in Boherbue, Co. Cork, which is a major region for cheese production in Ireland. Building on centuries of tradition, Ingredient Solutions has perfected a wide selection of cheeses including grated, block, crumb or bespoke blend.
“In terms of popularity, we are seeing a resurgence in top-end, high-quality
cheddars,” added Mr Davies.. “We buy the best locally and export to the UK, Europe and beyond. It’s no secret that Irish cheese is among the best in the world.”
New developments
In May 2022, Ingredient Solutions was acquired by leading Austrian dairy company, Rupp. This has given the company additional resources and enabled it to relaunch its foodservice brand, Yellow Road. Rebranding the logo and expanding the product range, Yellow Road has become a trusted partner for chefs looking to elevate their dishes.
“Yellow Road translates to Boherbue in Gaelic, our home in Ireland,” explained Mr Davies. “We are trying to build on the heritage of the brand, the excellent
reputation of Irish dairy and everything else we stand for in terms of sustainability.
Formally launched at the 2024 SIAL Food trade show, we are already seeing the success of Yellow Road all over the world.”
Also in 2024, Ingredient Solutions began construction of its new factory. The site is still under construction, with an investment
of over €15 million to be made in 2025.
Sustainability has been integrated into the factory’s design, preparing the company for the future.
Sustainable features of the factory include heat recovery technology, which captures heat to be used within the production process, significantly reducing energy
consumption. This results in lower emissions and greater efficiency in operations.
An air-to-air system has been incorporated into the office spaces of the factory. This takes the heat from outgoing air and transfers it to the fresh air, allowing for efficient air circulation and minimised energy use. The site will also have solar panels installed on the roof, enabling the use of renewable energy.
“These systems collectively demonstrate our commitment to sustainability,” continued Mr Cronin. “As construction progresses, these features will play a crucial role in establishing the factory as an eco-friendly, modern facility.”
Environmental performance
Ingredient Solutions is dedicated to sustainable improvement and is an active participant in both the Origin Green and EcoVadis programmes. The company is also engaging in the CSRD, prioritising environmental performance through measurable directives.
The company has introduced several initiatives within its production process to improve its environmental impact. This includes reducing the amount of materials
used in packaging, using Pallecon’s reusable and collapsible containers, and introducing biodegradable gloves.
“All these initiatives reduce the amount of waste we produce, significantly minimising our carbon footprint,” commented Mr Cronin.
“With our packaging, we minimise plastic use while maintaining the quality of our products. Using Pallecons improves transportation efficiency and prevents single-use plastics. Lastly, the biodegradable gloves reduce landfill waste. All these actions highlight our ongoing commitment to sustainability.”
To drive these sustainable initiatives, the company introduced the role of Environmental and Sustainability Coordinator. This reflects Ingredient Solutions’ commitment to improving its impact and will help the company meet environmental goals going forward.
“As the Environmental and Sustainability Coordinator, I am excited to make a tangible
impact on the planet by reducing waste, conserving energy and fostering eco-friendly practices,” added Mr Cronin. “Each day brings opportunities to innovate and develop creative solutions, collaborating with passionate colleagues. Ingredient Solutions is proud to contribute to a healthier future for the planet.”
Ingredient Solutions also promotes sustainable farming practices and engages with suppliers to explore environmentally friendly options. Carbery and BiOrbic have launched a project called Farm Zero C, which aims to develop a large-scale, climate-neutral dairy farm.
“We plan on visiting this farm soon,” said Mrs O’Gorman. “It excites me to discover and curate exceptional products for our customers. Meeting people who are passionate about their craft and learning about sustainable farming practices really drives the company forward.”
Continued growth
To create and deliver the most highquality products, Ingredient Solutions has established long-term partnerships with its suppliers, Mrs O’Gorman continued: “Building relationships with Irish cheddar producers is not just beneficial; they are a cornerstone of the business’s reputation and success. Irish manufacturers have built a reputation of quality and authenticity that can attract customers who are looking for Irish cheeses.”
As well as fostering collaborative supplier relationships, the company strives to create an atmosphere that supports and encourages employees. Recently, Ingredient Solutions celebrated six employees who have reached the milestone of 20 years with the company.
“Their dedication, hard work and commitment have been instrumental in our success,” continued Mr Davies. “We are grateful for their unwavering loyalty and the valuable
contributions they have made over the years. We’d like to congratulate them all on this remarkable achievement.”
Moving forward, Ingredient Solutions will develop its Yellow Road range. The company plans to add more functional, time-saving and value-added products to its portfolio, supporting customers in bringing new ideas to their menus. Products such as the cheese sauces aim to simplify cooking and allow the chef to explore new recipes.
“We have a wide range of products, and a huge number of different customers in different countries and sectors,” added Mr Davies. “Therefore, we need to be nimble and react to market changes. We are all about being proactive and delivering futureproof solutions to align with consumer demands.
“Whether it’s reducing cost, improving texture or adding flavour, we have the expertise to do almost anything! I really mean that.”
