The Story Behind Britvic’s Carbon-Cutting Cooling Towers

Drinks producer Britvic is cutting carbon and saving energy by investing seven figures into upgrading its Rugby, UK factory.
The environmental upgrade will see the factory’s centralised chilling system enhanced to make use of more efficient cooling towers.
This £1,150,000 investment will be supported by a grant of £305,000 from the UK Government’s Industrial Energy Transformation Fund.
An important step forward
Paul Graham, Britvic’s Managing Director in Great Britain, said: “Britvic is proud to be at the forefront of our industry when it comes to sustainable manufacturing practices.
“This project is an important step forward in our carbon reduction efforts as well as improving the efficiency of our operations.”
He added: “Supported by the Government's Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, this initiative not only signifies our dedication to environmental stewardship but also showcases Britvic’s commitment to our Healthier People, Healthier Planet sustainability goals.”
Cool equipment
Paul said the investment will “significantly reduce” Britvic’s carbon emissions by up to 650 tonnes annually.
It will upgrade the centralised chilling system with state-of-the-art, energy-efficient cooling towers.
The change will reduce the company’s electricity consumption and enhance the reliability of operations, particularly during peak summer months.
Britvic explained: “The cooling towers will offer increased efficiency over the current heat rejection set up, allowing for a reduction in electricity consumption on the chiller units.
“This will provide a cost saving in the medium term and cover the cost of the investment within four years.
“This reduction in the site’s electricity consumption will also see carbon emissions cut, saving up to 650 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year.”
Production to the MAX
Britvic said the upgrade will enhance the reliability and efficiency of the chilling system, especially during the peak summer months, allowing the production of brands including Robinsons, Tango and Pepsi MAX to continue smoothly during warmer weather.
Heat is removed from products such as Pepsi MAX before carbonisation to avoid foaming and waste.
Heat is also removed from drinks that have been pasteurised.
Work on the project began in November and will be completed by February 2025.
A long-term plan
This project follows a US$9.7m (£8m) investment to increase efficiency at Britvic’s London factory.
This was also supported by the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund and work began last year.
Both projects are part of Britvic’s long-term strategy to reduce its carbon emissions.
In February Britvic announced that 75% of its National Grid electricity needs in Great Britain come from a 160-acre solar farm in Northamptonshire.
The farm, which could cut 642 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the drink manufacturer’s supply chain each year, is powered by a 10-year power purchase agreement with solar energy provider Atrato Onsite Energy, supported by Squeaky Energy.
In 2023, Britvic announced a similar agreement in Ireland – meaning that 75% of Britvic Ireland’s total electricity requirements are now provided by wind power.
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