Food manufacturing factories have traditionally used huge quantities of energy and resources to run their facilities from process water, refrigeration, ventilation and lighting to powering production lines.
But with growing concerns over climate change affecting every corner of UK industry, the food and drink sector is increasingly aware of the urgency of reducing its impact, energy consumption and why sustainability is important in construction.
At Clegg Food Projects, we understand the challenges in balancing the drive for resource efficiency and carbon-reducing measures with the need for top-performing manufacturing, processing and distribution systems.
Business development manager Oliver Jenkins explains how our expertise in food and drinks factory design and construction can help on this vital journey to net zero.
What is sustainable construction in food and drink manufacturing?
Sustainable construction in food and drink manufacturing means being resource efficient, using recyclable and renewable materials and minimising energy consumption and waste. Reducing the impact on the environment is the primary focus and goal.
With our widespread knowledge of constructing food manufacturing facilities – from bakeries to breweries and sandwich factories to vertical farms – we understand the increasing demands for sustainable construction and subsequent operational efficiency of the factories.
Our integrated design and build solutions aim to harness efficiency and low carbon from the start of each project, through the construction process and the future operational efficiency of a building.
We understand the renewable features necessary to reduce a building’s carbon footprint and environmental impact, including the use of:
- Renewable energy sources, such as solar panels on factory roofs
- The use of EV charging points for zero-emission vehicles
- Advanced insulation for buildings and process pipework
- Optimised refrigeration plant
- Energy-efficient lighting for both operational and production (vertical farms’ largest energy usage)
- Efficient heating and cooling control systems such as air source and ground source heat pumps
- Water conservation in production and the use of rainwater harvesting for grey water needs
- Environmentally friendly building materials, including lower carbon and recycled materials
- Recycling waste
Sustainable technology is constantly innovating and will have a significant impact on the future of food and drink facilities. There is a need to be realistic in what can be achieved, but to also be ambitious and challenge traditional thinking and financing to ensure businesses remain competitive, relevant and sustainable.
Why is sustainable construction so important?
Having recently attended the inaugural Sustainable Food Factory Conference, which brought together the UK food and drink manufacturing sector to discuss sustainability, urgent action is clearly needed on this important topic.
Many companies in the food and drink industry are looking for solutions to meet the challenges of climate change and to invest in pioneering projects that will make a lasting impact.
During the conference we heard how energy use can account for 5-10% of total spending in the manufacturing process, with projections to be higher still. Sustainable construction practices can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimise the use of vital resources.
How can Clegg Food Projects help clients to be sustainable?
We advise clients early in the process to consider the operational sustainability of a building after it is completed. It is important to focus on the facility’s efficiency, ensuring it is thoroughly insulated and systems, such as refrigeration, are fully optimised.
Practical changes that are managed and measured can help achieve sustainability targets. We also consider our own on-site responsibilities, such as the transport we use, the temporary site cabins we use during the build and our waste generated during construction.
It is also important to understand the issues facing supply chains when building these factories, such as the environmental impact of importing steel and other materials from overseas. We are excited to work with our clients to find practical and sustainable solutions, including the potential of future innovations such as low carbon steel, ultra efficient lightning, better integration of renewables and building material alternatives.
Which clients have you helped to achieve their sustainability goals?
Clegg is proud to have designed and built the ‘world’s biggest’ vertical farm for growing high-quality crops at Fischer Farms, creating a 25,000 sq m state-of-the-art climate-controlled facility in Norfolk.
We were delighted to play a part in this sector, which has the potential to meet ever-increasing food production demands. Using an energy-efficient, LED-based lighting system, the farm yields 250 times more leafy greens than conventional farming. It also uses less water and reduces its food miles tally.
Clegg also worked with international energy storage and clean fuel company ITM Power to complete the fit-out of its new 1GW factory in Sheffield. The company designs and builds electrolysers that use renewable energy and water to make green hydrogen gas. The improvements will enable the site to become the largest electrolyser factory in the world.
Our portfolio also includes our recently delivered 75,000 sq ft state-of-the-art factory for the global robotics company CMR Surgical. The project had sustainable features including tree planting, wildflower meadows, rainwater harvesting, EV charging points and PV arrays – and even bug hotels and bat boxes.
Why should food and drink manufacturers choose Clegg Food Projects for their sustainable construction needs?
Clegg works closely with our clients to deliver practical, efficient energy solutions through the use of sustainable construction and technologies, incorporating a low carbon approach at every stage.
Worrying statistics showing that 25% of the world’s agricultural land will have no fresh water in 20 years’ time highlight the importance of innovation in the food and drink industry.
It is our aim to help clients navigate the evolving technologies so that they can embrace a more sustainable future for their factories.
We are proud of our own environmental and sustainability commitments, recently becoming a business partner of the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, We have also partnered with the EcoVadis sustainability procurement portal, and have won its silver award for sustainability.
Talk to our experts today. Email us at foodprojects@clegggroup.co.uk or call us on 0115 841 3121.