Increasing Energy Efficiencey - Reducing Energy Consumption
Nestlé’s success is a result of focused efforts on energy conservation programs, and a systematic approach to energy reduction. In 2007 we have made an energy efficiency equivalent to CHF 33 million, mitigating the impact of soaring energy prices.
Energy savings help to take pressure off increased prices
Compared to 2006, energy efficiency in Nestlé manufacturing operations improved by more than 3% to 2.08 Gigajoules per tonne of product. The figure is even better over time: since 1998, Nestlé businesses reduced their energy consumption by almost 45% per tonne of product. Nestlé is committed to realizing further savings in energy consumption and has set internal targets for continuous improvement. For further details you may view Nestlé's Environmental Perfomance Indicators.
Energy in Manufacturing
Nestlé factories use energy in a number of ways to transform agricultural raw materials into finished food products - for moving materials within the factory, for cleaning, cooking and packing, and for controlling emissions and treatment of waste.
Managing Energy Resources
Energy is increasingly expensive. Its use causes emissions including carbon dioxide which has been shown to contribute to global warming. Much of the fuel used to produce energy comes from continuously depleting, non-renewable sources like coal and heavy oil. For all these reasons, it is vital to manage energy resources properly and to look for alternative energy solutions. Nestlé is committed to adapting its products and processes so that energy resources are preserved. Nestlé has been investing significantly in this field spending approximately CHF 40 million annually on raising awareness, technical improvements and training.
Initiatives include fuel replacement, - e.g.: from coal to gas -, use of renewable fuels, - e.g.: spent coffee grounds -, and co-generation facilities.