McCain Strzelin Potato Processing Plant in Poland to operate with 100 percent green electricity

On the occasion of the UN World Environment Day (June 5th) and McCain Sustainability Week (June 6-10), the Canadian family-owned company reaches a key milestone in its Planet Friendly Food Journey and carbon emissions reduction, with its first solar park in Poland.

More than 11,000 solar panels, combined with additional guarantees of origins - will enable the Strzelin Factory to become the first McCain facility in Continental Europe to operate with 100% green electricity.

Reduce carbon footprint of their manufacturing operations and move to 100% renewable electricity

The solar farm in Poland is fully operational- since January 2022 - and provides around 25% of the site’s electricity consumption McCain- supplements the electricity produced on-site with Renewable Guarantees of Origin – thus becoming the first McCain plant to operate with 100% renewable electricity in Continental Europe.

The completion of the full renewable electricity system reduces Scope2 C02 emissions by 4.3 kTons of CO2eq/year. The new system comprises more than 11,000 ground mount solar panels installed on unused space on existing land surrounding the plant to produce 5.3 GWh per year – the equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 1,200 households.

Fully embedded in McCain Company's purpose towards producing planet-friendly food and its commitment to reduce carbon emissions across operations

McCain has a long-term commitment to more sustainable production and processing of food as a key player in the food industry, operating in Europe for almost 50 years and with strong local roots.

Producing planet-friendly food means growing food responsibly, reducing carbon footprint and supporting the communities where the group operates.

By 2030, McCain has pledged to reduce the absolute CO2 emissions from its operations by 50 percent (Scope 1 and 2). This commitment has been recognised by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as consistent with the effort to limit global warming to 1.5 °C.

McCain has also committed to using 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030 in its manufacturing facilities. Achievement in Poland is part of the McCain Group's overall strategy for resource-efficient operations, which is one of the group's four pillars for sustainability.

Erwin Pardon, President McCain Continental Europe:
 

"This is a key milestone for our Company in Poland -as this achievement contributes to our CO2 emissions reduction by 50% in 2030 and shows the way to move to 100% renewable electricity."

"It is part of our Sustainability Journey, and we will continue in the months, years to come, to lead by example, by taking steps and implementing measures, that will help us and our partners, continue."