NEWS
Three-quarters of UK manufacturers report increased profitability because of more sustainable operations
R esearch from European software provider , Forterro , has revealed that 72 % of UK mid-market manufacturers have reported increased profitability because of operating more sustainably .
The study also shows the extent to which UK manufacturers are now focusing on sustainability , with 84 % of respondents saying it is a priority . Seventy-one percent said their organisation has a dedicated resource to address sustainability , while three-quarters said it has a Net Zero plan .
“ Operating more sustainably while maintaining market share and controlling costs has historically been a challenge for any UK mid-market manufacturer , but this research shows how seriously organisations are now taking sustainability ,” said David Coste , President , North & Western Europe ,
Forterro . “ It ’ s not just a corporate responsibility but also a driver of financial success . Manufacturers are aware of this and are taking purposeful , accountable steps to be sustainable .”
Supply chains are one of the main areas where UK mid-market manufacturers are focusing their sustainability efforts , with 85 % of respondents reporting digitalisation of supply chain and logistics operations to improve transport efficiency .
Almost half ( 46 %) of manufacturers are most motivated to localise their supply chains for better control , while 43 % see cost reduction and 38 % prioritise sustainability as a key driver for localisation . Customer demand also plays a role , reflecting shifting market expectations and the need for manufacturers to adapt to meet those changing requirements .
Technology can be used to significant effect when it comes to sustainable operations . ERP can help mid-market manufacturers enhance their sustainability efforts , making it easier to manage resources efficiently , reduce waste , manage inventory and maintain compliance with environmental regulations .
Equinix and Neoen sign first Power Purchase Agreement in Italy to support local grid decarbonisation
E quinix , a digital infrastructure company , and Neoen , one of the world ’ s leading producers of exclusively renewable energy , have signed a 10-year virtual Power Purchase Agreement ( PPA ) of 53MW across seven new-build solar projects . This will support Equinix ’ s ability to maintain 100 % renewable coverage for its International Business Exchange ( IBX ) data centres in Italy while increasing its backing of renewable power projects .
The PPA includes seven Neoen ’ s projects in Northern Italy , close to Equinix data centres in Milan and Genoa .
The solar projects will contribute to Italy ’ s Integrated National Plan for Energy and Climate Change targets by 2030 .
The PPA is structured under a portfolio approach . It is the first PPA signed between Neoen and Equinix in Italy and the fifth in Europe over the past three years . These five PPAs represent a total contracted capacity of 210MW across Finland , Sweden and now Italy – a testimony to the strong relationship between the two companies and their continued collaboration in various geographies .
It also brings Neoen ’ s total contracted capacity under corporate PPAs worldwide to over 2.8GW and Equinix ’ s global capacity under long-term renewable energy contracts to around 1.2GW .
Equinix is focused on expanding the breadth and quality of its renewables portfolio and has executed 24 Power Purchase Agreements in total to date across Australia , Singapore , India , France , Iberia , Italy , the Nordics and the US – including 15 PPAs signed in 2023 alone .
Once operational , these projects are expected to generate more than 3,200,000MWh of clean energy , equivalent to the energy needed to power more than 850,000 European households for a year .
With teams based in Brescia , Modena and Rome , Neoen has ambitions to become a major player in Italy and a significant contributor to the development of renewable energy in the country and is currently developing numerous solar and storage projects .
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