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Food for thought: advancing net zero

Turley works on first net zero UK manufacturing site for global food manufacturer, McCormick & Company.

We provided expert Sustainability services for McCormick & Company’s (McCormick)’s first net zero food manufacturing site which is now complete and occupied by the client. The advanced food manufacturing site in Peterborough has been developed using the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) Net Zero Building Framework to deliver net zero in construction with all of the necessary steps in place to achieve net zero in operation.

Achieving net zero in construction and operation

We worked with McCormick to follow the UKGBC framework methodology of building less, building clever and building efficiently, which will support the reduction of the site’s construction carbon emissions by 38% from an initial baseline estimate of 36,000 tCO2e to 22,201 tCO₂e. This was achieved using a number of design interventions including low carbon concrete and recycled construction materials.

All residual construction carbon was offset through a partnership with Natural Capital Partners, the leading experts on carbon neutrality and climate finance.

To ensure all aspects of sustainability were addressed in the project we also supported McCormick on the development of an “Exemplar Building” strategy which combined elements from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and BREEAM and LEED certification schemes.

The Exemplar Building strategy referred to above also encompasses the achievement of net zero operation and sets ambitious targets under each of the 17 UNSDGs which has resulted in a development that not only achieves an exemplar environmental performance but also makes a strong contribution socially and economically.

Once fully operation, the 93,000 sq m site will employ approximately 300 people and will serve McCormick’s Flavour Solutions brands.

Chris Jinks, President EMEA at McCormick, commented:

“We are delighted that our new Peterborough facility is on track to become a Net Zero Carbon Building and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our colleagues and partners who have worked tirelessly to get us to this point.

“While acknowledging there is still much work to do to achieve our Net Zero ambitions at Peterborough, we are pleased with the progress we are making. 

“This marks an important milestone in our sustainability journey. Our customers and consumers have been at the heart of our decision-making and we look forward to working with others to explore more ways to make a positive contribution to the world around us and reduce our reliance on the planet’s natural resources.”

For more information on our net zero work please contact Colin Morrison.

5 November 2021