LVF Packaging, a packaging manufacturer based in Leeds, UK, has made a substantial commitment to sustainable energy by installing 670 new solar panels at its headquarters.
This investment, totalling more than £300,00 ($380,205), marks a significant step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency for the company, as the panels are expected to generate nearly 300,000 kW of energy at peak times and 185 MWh per year.
LVF Packaging business development director Daniel Coates expressed the company’s dedication to sustainability, emphasising that this initiative was part of a broader strategy aimed at becoming a truly green business.
With this latest addition of solar panels, LVF Packaging now produces all the electricity it requires to operate on a 24/7 basis.
The installation of solar panels began in 2014 and, according to Daniel Coates, at that time it seemed improbable that solar energy could cover the electricity needs of a manufacturing project as substantial as LVF’s.
However, less than a decade later, the company not only achieves this goal but also has room for further expansion in sustainable energy initiatives.
Unlike businesses merely jumping on the green bandwagon, LVF Packaging has been steadfast in its commitment to eco-friendly practices, including 100% recycling of plastic waste since 2020 and full recyclability of its products.
Investment in cutting-edge thermoforming machine
LVF Packaging continues to solidify its position as a forward-thinking manufacturer by investing £550,000 in a state-of-the-art Kiefel KMD 78 thermoforming machine.
This new acquisition not only bolsters production capacity but also positions the company to introduce innovative hybrid packaging solutions, a strategic move at a time when environmental consciousness drives a reduction in plastic use.
Expanded capacity and hybrid packaging solutions
The decision to invest in the KMD 78 machine was prompted by the company’s surging demand over the past year, particularly for high-volume product lines serving major supermarkets.
LVF Packaging managing director Nigel Coates explained that the new machine, the fifth of its kind in their line-up and the third with down-stacking technology, brings improved production efficiency and cost savings.
However, what excites the company most is the potential to venture into new markets and packaging technologies. With an extended frame enabling an additional station, the KMD 78 facilitates the production of hybrid packaging solutions.
This innovative approach combines plastic and cartonboard materials, utilising plastic only where necessary for functions such as food contact or sealing while cartonboard provides structural strength and branding opportunities.
After use, the components can be easily separated for recycling, aligning with LVF Packaging’s commitment to sustainability.
Daniel Coates noted, “Our intention is to gauge the direction the market is taking before making any additional investment, but having the capacity to simply add a hybrid station to our new machine means we are already one step ahead of the vast majority of our competitors.”
