Macfarlane owned GWP Group significantly invests in solar panels

Macfarlane Group-owned packaging business GWP Group has invested £235K to install solar panels at its Cricklade manufacturing site.

The business, which was established in 1990 and became part of Macfarlane Packaging in 2021, expects the installation of the 380kW solar PV system to generate 40% of their total electricity requirements moving forward.

Ruth Cook, Managing Director at GWP, commented:

“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.”

She continued:

“The carbon-free energy provided by installing these solar panels will have a significant impact on the sustainability of our operations.”

GWP, which both designs and manufactures a range of protective packaging, commissioned renewable energy experts Clean Earth to supply and manage the installation of the solar panels.

The installation, completed in early July, should result in carbon savings of approximately 70 tonnes per year and 1,750 tonnes over the system’s expected 25-year lifespan.

Having become part of Macfarlane Packaging 3 years ago, GWP has renewed its focus on minimising the environmental impact of its operations to support the Group’s Environment, Social and Governance strategy.

David Patton, Head of Sustainability at Macfarlane Packaging, added:

“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. 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 Group currently employs around 100 people across two sites in Wiltshire (Cricklade and Salisbury), designing and manufacturing a wide range of bespoke protective packaging products.

The wider Macfarlane Group comprises more than 1,000 employees, with sales of more than £280m in 2023 across the UK and Europe.

For more information about Macfarlane’s sustainability strategy, please click here.