McCormick New UK Factory Will Become its First Net Zero Carbon Facility

The project is on track to deliver net zero carbon in both construction and operations.

McCormick & Co.'s new manufacturing facility under construction in Peterborough, UK.
McCormick & Co.'s new manufacturing facility under construction in Peterborough, UK.
McCormick & Co.

PETERBOROUGH, UK — McCormick & Company, Incorporated, a global leader in flavor, announced May 25 that its new manufacturing site in Peterborough, UK, due to open in 2021, is on track to become McCormick's first Net Zero Carbon Building. Once fully operational, the 93,000m² site will employ approximately 300 people and will serve the company's Flavor Solutions customers.

The project is using the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework to help deliver Net Zero Carbon in both construction and operations, the highest level of commitment to the framework. McCormick launched its Purpose-Led Performance program in 2017 where it outlined a set of goals to benefit people, communities, and the planet by 2025.

To impact climate change, McCormick's science-based emissions targets include one to achieve a 20% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from our facilities (scope 1 and scope 2) and another to achieve a 16% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (scope 3) by 2030. The Peterborough Gateway project has been devised in close collaboration with Flavour Solutions customers and the aim is to make it a sustainable manufacturing blueprint across our global supply chain.

To achieve Net Zero in construction, and to prepare for Net Zero in operations, McCormick followed a methodology of building less, building clever and building efficiently as set out in the UKGBC framework. McCormick's actions are reducing the site's construction carbon emissions by 30% from an estimated 36,000 tCO₂e to a current estimate of 25,000 tCO₂e (+/ 25%). This will be confirmed at build completion. 

Net Zero in Construction

McCormick's initial design footprint review and whole life carbon assessment led to design and construction changes impacting the facility, including on-site concrete mixing capabilities and the use of low-carbon concrete. The site's concrete uses 30% Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) to reduce carbon in the site's foundations, ground and mezzanine floors, as well as its external yard. The facility's construction will also reuse 12,400m³ of excavated soil during the cut and fill process to avoid bringing in or removing earth.

McCormick has worked with Natural Capital Partners, the leading experts on carbon neutrality and climate finance, to find credible offsite carbon reductions to achieve Net Zero in construction.

All of the remaining construction-related carbon emissions at the site are being offset by our backing of The East Thrace Wind Power program in Turkey. Independently verified and built following extensive local consultation, this project generates zero carbon electricity. With Purpose-Led-Performance in mind, McCormick has gone a step further to support a longer-term UK reforestation project via the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) at The Lowther Whale initiative in the Lake District National Park.

Net Zero in Operations

The site has also been designed to achieve Net Zero in operations and follow sustainability best practices. The site's operational electricity supply will come from a blend of renewable sources – wind, solar, water, thermal and anaerobic digestion – in line with the UKGBC framework. The Peterborough facility will reduce water use through the installation of trigger controls at hose points, water monitoring and measurement tools, and an air-line cleaning system. The facility's other Net Zero features include cutting-edge refrigeration to reduce energy loss, solar panels, and energy-efficient steam generators.

Chris Jinks, President EMEA, commented: 

"We are delighted that our new Peterborough facility is on track to become a Net Zero Carbon Building and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our colleagues and partners who have worked tirelessly to get us to this point. 

"While acknowledging there is still much work to do to achieve our Net Zero ambitions at Peterborough, we are pleased with the progress we are making.

"This marks an important milestone in our sustainability journey. Our customers and consumers have been at the heart of our decision-making and we look forward to working with others to explore more ways to make a positive contribution to the world around us and reduce our reliance on the planet's natural resources."

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