Plastic packaging manufacturer reduces carbon footprint with Solar Energy

Duo UK has invested in a large-scale rooftop solar installation from Shawton Energy, as the firm looks to reduce its carbon footprint as part of its ‘Pact for the Planet’ initiative.

The fully funded commercial installation, comprising a total of 1042 solar panels and 12 inverters, will sit atop the plastic packaging manufacturer’s 44,000 sq. ft warehouse in Manchester.

It will be installed over a six-week period and generate 504,070kWh of energy annually.

This will save the 36-year-old packaging company circa 106,799kg of carbon each year – the equivalent of 66 plane journeys from Manchester to Australia.

Jamie Shaw, MD of Shawton Energy, said: “Businesses are increasingly looking for ways to make their operations more sustainable and reduce carbon, and we’re proud to be supporting Duo UK in their quest for cleaner, greener energy.

“When it comes to decarbonisation, we’re seeing a pressure-chamber trend throughout sectors such as manufacturing. Not only do businesses want to adopt technologies and energy solutions that help them meet their ESG targets, but those of their clients too.

“Supply chain pressures are driving more sustainable investments, as more companies seek to reduce their Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. By generating their own renewable energy on site, manufacturers can not only benefit from greater environmental efficiencies, but protection against the energy market’s volatility and future price hikes too.”

Dale Brimelow, Operations Director, added: “Sustainability is at the core of everything we do at Duo – in terms of culture, our products, and how we operate.

“As we strive to innovate in our product development and methods of manufacturing, we also want to ensure that we incorporate more sustainable practices in how we run our business. This project is a significant step forward and we’re delighted to be partnering with Shawton Energy as they help us to deliver on our environmental objectives.”

Duo UK supplies plastic packaging solutions to clients including The Regatta Group, Tesco, QVC, and JD Sports.

Shaw concluded: “Our fully funded commercial solar installations are a solution for businesses looking to produce low-cost, highly efficient energy, without capital expenditure – enabling a risk-free entry point to energy security and decarbonisation.

“We believe every business should have access to sustainable energy solutions.”

The company provides solar solutions to clients such as Heinz, Nestle, Hilton, and international food and drink group, Princes.