PepsiCo Green Plant in China will help to save energy and water
Last updated 28/06/2009 17:58:03
PepsiCo Green Plant in China will help to save energy and water
In a bid to promote the health and longevity of our planet food and drinks company PepsiCo has opened the first beverage ‘green' plant in China. Based in the western city of Chongqing, the facility has been designed to use 22% less water and 23% less energy than the average PepsiCo plant in the country.
The plant uses over 35 water and energy saving designs and utilizes the world's most advanced technology, including an environmental management system that monitors water and energy use on every production line and every piece of individual equipment in real time.
Complying with the sustainable engineering standards known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), set by the Green Building Council, to save water, the plant utilizes a high-pressure cleaning system, water-free conveyor belt lubricant and water-saving fixtures.
Plant associates re-use water for landscaping and general cleaning instead of using potable water. To save energy, 75% of the plant's indoor areas feature natural lighting, including a skylight in the packing area and warehouse. A roof garden insulates the office building and saves energy for cooling and heating.
The new plant is expected to help PepsiCo annually reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,100 tons; water usage by 100,000 tons; and overall energy use by four million kilowatt hours compared to the former Chongqing plant. It also will serve as an educational centre to raise awareness of good environmental practices among students in the local community.
The state-of-the-art beverage facility, PepsiCo's first overseas ‘green' plant, is part of the company's $1bn investment plan that is part of an on-going strategy to expand in emerging markets and broaden its portfolio of locally relevant products.
PepsiCo plans to fund a variety of major capital programs to grow its manufacturing capacity in China, particularly in interior and western areas. Over the next two years, the company expects to open five new beverage manufacturing plants - in Kunming, Zhengzhou, Quanzhou, Lanzhou and Nanchang.
It also plans to invest to strengthen its local research and development capabilities and broaden its portfolio of Chinese-designed and developed products such as Tropicana Guo Bin Fen juices, Lay's Lychee potato chips and Cao Ben Le drinks, which are inspired by traditional Chinese medicine.
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