Britvic invests £8m to cut carbon emissions by 50% at London factory

Soft drinks business Britvic announced today that a new heat recovery system that will cut emissions equivalent to the annual energy usage of around 500 homes is to be installed in its east London factory.

The manufacturer is investing £8m to improve energy efficiency at its Beckton site, which produces 2,000 drinks a minute, in a bid to cut carbon emissions by 50%.

The new heat recovery system will see Britvic switch its heating from natural gas boilers to carbon free heat extractors. The project is part funded with a £4.4m government grant from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Industrial Energy Transformation Fund and is set to commence at the end of 2023.

Britvic’s supply chain director Nigel Paine said: “We are constantly looking at ways to improve the way we create these products and I’m delighted that, as well as our own funds, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will be supporting us too. It means we can continue to supply the nation with great tasting drinks, while reducing our carbon footprint.”

Sarah Webster director of sustainable business at Britvic, said: “This major investment represents a significant milestone in our journey to reduce our scope one and two carbon emissions in service of our science-based targets, and our Healthier People Healthier Planet sustainability strategy. The support from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has been integral to making this happen and it re-enforces our view that collaboration and partnership is critical to developing long-lasting meaningful solutions to protect the planet.”

Britvic, which oversees 37 brands including Robinsons, Tango and J20, is committed to reducing its direct emissions by 50% by 2025 and to be net zero by 2050.