GWP Group, a protective packaging specialist and part of Macfarlane Group, has significantly boosted its sustainability credentials with a £235,000 ($300,000) investment in solar panels.
The 380kW solar photovoltaic system, installed at its Cricklade manufacturing site in the UK, is expected to generate 40% of the company’s total electricity consumption.
The move underscores GWP’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, a key pillar of Macfarlane Group’s environmental, social, and governance strategy.
The company has been at the forefront of sustainable packaging solutions, focusing on material reduction, superior transport, and innovative design.
“Although as part of the packaging industry, we have always been focused on how we can reduce the environmental impact of our customers’ packaging - through minimising material usage, efficient transport and innovative design - this project will be a real step forward for our own business,” said Ruth Cook, managing director at GWP.
“The carbon-free energy provided by installing these solar panels will have a significant impact on the sustainability of our operations.”
The project, completed early last month with the support of renewable energy expert Clean Earth, is anticipated to deliver annual carbon savings of approximately 70 tonnes (t), amounting to 1,750t saved over the system’s 25-year lifespan.
“A key area we are focused on across our business is to maximise the energy we use that is from renewable sources. One of the ways we are doing this is through the installation of solar panels across our group operations,” said David Patton, sustainability head at Macfarlane Packaging.
“It made complete sense to undertake our next installation at GWP, where many customers are already receiving packaging delivered by our fully electric delivery vans.”
GWP, which employs roughly 100 people across two Wiltshire sites, specialises in the design and manufacture of bespoke protective packaging solutions.
The wider Macfarlane Group, with more than 1,000 employees, generated sales exceeding £280m in 2023 across the UK and Europe.
