Hoffmann Neopac has installed one of the largest solar power systems in Switzerland, the company claims. The green energy initiative, which costs more than $2.2 m, will make its electricity sustainable at each of its two manufacturing sites in its home country.
Comprising a total of 12,000 sqm, the photovoltaic system will have the ability to generate as much as 2,616 kilowatts peak (kWp). This equals three-quarters of the electric power consumption at the company’s Thun plant in Switzerland. As of this year, it uses certified Swiss hydroelectric power to cover the remaining electrical power needs of both facilities in Switzerland.
“The sweeping solar power initiative and our overall renewable electricity consumption brings Hoffmann Neopac a sizeable step closer to its goal of total operational sustainability,” said Mark Aegler, CEO of Hoffmann Neopac. “It exemplifies our commitment to harness our power from renewable resources and, from there, manufacture our products from renewable, recyclable resources as well.”
Hoffmann has put a high priority on sustainably manufacturing its packaging solutions, the company says, as well as to push recyclability and recycled content for all the packaging products. It recently introduced a line of mono-material-barrier tube solutions, Polyfoil MMB, which achieved full technology approval from RecyClass, and recyclability grade A from SUEZ Circpack.
Various EcoDesign solutions support the company’s commitment to sustainability-minded production. These include high-density polyethylene (HDPE) caps; recycled tubes with 64% PCR content; lightweight plastic tubes with 30% weight reduction in the tube body; and bio-based tubes such as the PICEA wood-based tube. In the tin sector, the company has achieved full packaging steel circularity in collaboration with its steel supplier. The result has been the recent launch of RecyCan, which is comprised of 100% PCR steel from German households.