04
March
2021
|
10:30
Europe/Amsterdam

Coca-Cola factory in the Netherlands CO2-neutral from 2023 with sustainable energy from Eneco

Coca-Cola in the Netherlands announced that its Dongen site plans to be fully CO2-neutral from 2023. The company considers it vital, particularly now, to continue investing in sustainability and reducing its environmental impact, from production to packaging. This ambition is part of Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) aim to reach Net Zero emissions across its value chain by 2040. Dongen is one of 6 sites within Coca-Cola European Partners to become Co2-neutral as part of CCEP’s Net Zero 2040 ambition. To this end, Coca Cola is also starting a collaboration with Eneco for the supply of locally generated sustainable energy.

Over 85% of Coca-Cola drinks that are sold in the Netherlands, such as Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite and Fuze Tea, are produced at the Dongen factory. The first steps in reaching this carbon neutral manufacturing site ambition have already been taken, including the switch to using electric vehicles on site (forklift trucks and road sweepers). The factory also plans to switch from gas boilers to a fully electric heat pumps, and for the heating system to be converted from steam to hot water using an internal heat network with energy recovery. To complete the switch from gas to renewable electricity, the gas-powered shrink furnace will be replaced with an electric furnace.

Local wind and solar power of Eneco
The partnership with Eneco for generating local and sustainable energy is an important part of the transition to a carbon-neutral factory1. The Dongen factory has been powered by renewable energy since 2010, and will be sourcing renewable electricity from the new ‘de Wildert’ solar farm from 2022, which is being constructed approximately 300 metres from the factory. This energy will be supplemented by ‘de Spinder’ wind farm, located within 3.5 kilometres of the production location.

Jaap Wassink, VP & Country Director of Coca-Cola European Partners Nederland stated: ‘It is vital that we continue to invest in sustainability, particularly in these times. We are committed to emerging from this crisis stronger, and reducing our environmental impact continues to be one of the most important challenges confronting our company. Our Dongen factory has proven itself in recent years with respect to innovative developments, including the complete switch to PET bottles made from 100 per cent recycled plastic and packaging innovations such as the KeelClip™, a carton outer packaging for multipacks. It’s fantastic that we can keep on making rapid progress on this important climate ambition.’

Hans Peters, Chief Customer Officer Eneco added: ‘Coca-Cola European Partners aims to be climate neutral and to use local energy sources. It’s a great ambition to which we at Eneco are delighted to be able to contribute. With the delivery of solar and wind power from the immediate vicinity of Dongen, we are taking important steps together towards a carbon neutral production location. Moreover, a portion of this wind power will remain available for local residents. It’s a partnership to be proud of.’

 

1 The company will compensate for any CO2 emissions that cannot currently be removed from the Dongen factory.