Snacks Going Electric: PepsiCo’s Renewable-Powered Ovens
Cheetos, Monster Munch, Wotsits and Frazzles are some of the snacks now cooked using 100% renewable electricity in the UK.
PepsiCo has installed three electric ovens, two new and one gas upgrade, at its site in Leicester, England to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of producing these snacks by 1,500 tonnes every year.
This upgrade is part of PepsiCo’s £58m (US$77.1m) investment in the site, increasing its capacity.
Richard Clarke, Manufacturing Director at PepsiCo UK and Ireland, said: “It’s fantastic to see the impact of our investment in each and every batch of delicious snacks made using our new electric ovens.
“With a brand-new production line, better facilities for our teams and now these more sustainable ovens, we’ve been able to transform our home in Leicester and secure its future growth.
“We’re incredibly proud of all the work that goes into making our iconic snacks right in the heart of the UK, and even more so now we’re doing it in a more sustainable way.”
PepsiCo UK’s manufacturing upgrades
It’s not just ovens that have had a sustainable makeover.
In Leicester, PepsiCo’s facility has received a new manufacturing line and upgraded facilities for its team of nearly 1,200 employees.
PepsiCo has also invested £13m (US$17.2m) in upgrading its Doritos manufacturing line in Coventry.
This Coventry site is Europe’s largest tortilla chip factory and employs around 700 people.
In 2024, PepsiCo replaced parts of its existing manufacturing line with new equipment, achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of more than 700 tonnes per year.
In Bragg, it has invested in new, more efficient fryers for Pipers Crisps.
PepsiCo’s UK investment has also seen snack brands like Wotsits Giants, Monster Munch Giants and heritage Smiths brands move to Leicester, cutting transport-related emissions across its UK operations.
About pep+
PepsiCo Positive (pep+) is the company’s sustainability strategy, centred around the goal to reach net zero emissions by 2040.
“It's our vision to deliver a more sustainable, people-centric future, driving growth and value, for everyone,” says Ramon Laguarta, Chairman and CEO at PepsiCo.
“It's not just a business strategy – it's a transformative journey across our operations, from production to marketing to distribution.”
The pep+ strategy is based on three pillars:
- Positive Agriculture – sourcing crops and ingredients in ways that restore the earth and strengthen farming communities
- Positive Value Chain – building a circular and inclusive value chain
- Positive Choices – inspiring people to make choices that are good for them and the planet
Ramon explains: “We are dependent on the earth, relying on its resources to grow crops and produce the foods, snacks and drinks that bring joy and smiles to millions of people every day.
“pep+ is our strategy to nurture the soil, air, and water that sustain us, positioning our company for future success and seeking to positively impact the communities we touch around the world, today and for future generations.”
Jim Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo, says: “Across the globe, we are deploying a range of solutions to decarbonise our business and help us move a step closer to becoming net zero by 2040.
“That’s not a simple task, particularly for some of our sites that have been operating for decades.”
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