Britvic's Carbon-Cutting Cooling Towers Revamp Factory

Britvic is taking significant strides in energy conservation and carbon reduction by injecting a seven-figure sum into the modernisation of its Rugby, UK factory.

The project involves revamping the factory's centralised chilling system through the integration of more efficient cooling towers.

This initiative is not just a nod towards better technology but a leap towards significant energy conservation.

An investment totalling £1.2m, bolstered by a £305,000 grant from the UK Government's Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, underscores the project's importance and viability.

Innovative strides in carbon reduction

"Britvic is proud to be at the forefront of our industry when it comes to sustainable manufacturing practices," says Paul Graham, Britvic’s Managing Director in Great Britain.

“This project is an important step forward in our carbon reduction efforts as well as improving the efficiency of our operations.

“Supported by the Government's Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, this initiative not only signifies our dedication to environmental stewardship but also showcases Britvic’s commitment to our Healthier People, Healthier Planet sustainability goals.”

Enhancing cooling efficiency

The improvement of the chilling facility focuses on installing cutting-edge, energy-efficient cooling towers designed to massively cut down Britvic’s carbon footprint by approximately 650 tonnes annually.

The new setups aim to transition from older systems and improve heat rejection processes, ensuring less power consumption by the chilling structures.

Britvic explains: “The cooling towers will offer increased efficiency over the current heat rejection set up, allowing for a reduction in electricity consumption on the chiller units.

“This will provide a cost saving in the medium term and cover the cost of the investment within four years.

“This reduction in the site’s electricity consumption will also see carbon emissions cut, saving up to 650 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year.”

Boosting brand output during peak seasons

The benefits of this upgrade not only extend to environmental gains but also bolster production capability.

During peak seasons, the robust chilling system ensures continuous, efficient output of popular brands like Robinsons, Tango, and Pepsi MAX.

Temperature regulation is crucial in beverage production — removing heat from drinks like Pepsi MAX before carbonation is essential to prevent foaming and product waste.

This principle also applies to pasteurised beverages, where precise temperature control is necessary.The ongoing work on this project, which commenced last November, is due to be completed by February 2025.

Like its effort in London where a US$9.7m (£8m) investment was made last year to heighten operational efficiency, this programme aligns with a strategic vision directed toward substantial carbon emission reduction.

Continuing from previous milestones, like sourcing 75% of its electricity from a solar farm in Northamptonshire and leveraging wind power for Britvic Ireland, Britvic shows enduring commitment to sustainable improvement.

These initiatives not only showcase the company's innovative forward-thinking in energy utilisation but also help solidify its role as a leader in sustainability within the beverage industry.

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