The owner of beloved brands like Mr Kipling, Oxo, and Ambrosia has announced advancements in its Enriching Life Plan, which focuses on significant investments in renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing, and nutritious food innovation.
Headquartered in St Albans, the food manufacturer showcased a 14% decrease in Scope 1 and 2 market-based emissions over the past year, alongside a remarkable 16% rise in sales of products that adhere to stringent nutritional guidelines.
Scope 1 emissions refer to direct greenhouse gases produced from operations controlled by the company, including emissions from the combustion of fuel in company vehicles and on-site heating systems. Conversely, Scope 2 emissions are indirect and arise from the production of energy purchased, such as electricity and steam from utility providers.
In alignment with its sustainability strategy, Premier Foods allocated £2.1 million to establish a solar farm at its Carlton Bakery location in South Yorkshire.
Covering an area of 2.9 hectares and equipped with 3,500 solar panels, the facility is poised to fulfill nearly 75% of the bakery’s electricity requirements during peak production periods.
This initiative is projected to cut the site’s carbon emissions by approximately 468 tonnes annually, contributing to long-term energy stability and resulting in reduced energy costs. It is part of a broader solar investment strategy across Premier Foods’ manufacturing locations.
The company also executed two substantial upgrades to steam boilers at its Worksop facility, which produces well-known brands like Batchelors, Bisto, and Oxo.
Premier Foods noted that this £3.3 million investment has significantly enhanced the site’s energy efficiency, with anticipated reductions in carbon emissions of around 686 tonnes each year.
Beyond the solar and boiler upgrades, the company has implemented heat recovery systems at its Lifton Creamery and continued energy efficiency enhancements throughout its operations.
Nick Brown, the ESG director at Premier Foods, stated: “Our Enriching Life Plan continues to play a central role in how we grow the business responsibly.”
He added, “This year we have made meaningful progress across all three pillars of Product, Planet and People – from reducing carbon emissions and investing in renewable energy infrastructure, to expanding and investing in healthier product ranges and strengthening our support for more sustainable diets, while building the future culture, skills and capability to support business growth and supporting the local communities we operate in.”
Reflecting its health-focused strategy, the company reported a 16% increase in sales of products that meet high nutritional standards. Notably, Premier Foods has surpassed its 2030 objective to ensure that over 50% of its products meet such high standards (non-HFSS) and offer an additional registered health or nutrition benefit.