Bioiberica has pledged to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2024, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (in line with scope 1 and 2 of the GHG Protocol) by 30% by 2030 and reach complete climate neutrality by 2050.
The company has highlighted these ambitious goals in its new Climate Strategy Report outlining its plans to address the increasingly urgent global climate emergency. This move forms part of Bioiberica’s long-term commitment to reduce its environmental impact, which first began more than 45 years ago.
The company now aims to deliver a low-emission economy, reduce its water consumption and further expand its renewable energy initiatives to protect the environment and its resources for future generations.
“Bioiberica’s production is based on a 100% circular bioeconomy, using manufacturing processes designed to minimise the consumption of water, energy and auxiliary raw materials," said Luis Solera, CEO at Bioiberica.
“Our new Climate Strategy Report includes an inventory of our current greenhouse gas emissions alongside the targets set and the milestones achieved so far. The report also outlines how we plan to tackle future challenges in line with our commitment to become climate-neutral, focusing on business opportunities and more sustainable activities,” continued Solera.
Furthering energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is one of the cornerstones of Bioiberica's climate strategy and the company has continued to build on its commitment to improving energy use since achieving the ISO 50001 certification in 2012.
This involved the implementation of an energy management system that helps identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency and implement specific changes to reduce consumption. Subsequent improvements include a renovated lighting system, installation of more energy-efficient factory equipment such as upgraded boilers and cooling systems, as well as leak-reducing measures and production process optimisation.
As a result, Bioiberica has already significantly reduced its energy consumption. However, the new report details the company’s plans to power its electricity supply from 100% renewable sources by 2024.
To reach this goal, energy efficiency criteria will be incorporated into the purchasing of equipment and acquisition of services, and a project is already underway to install 1,000 kW of photovoltaic power for self-consumption.
Reducing wastewater
Since achieving ISO 14001 and the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) certification in 1997 and 1999 respectively, Bioiberica’s water usage continues to be a top priority. In recent years, the company focused its efforts on minimising water consumption and sanitising wastewater from its production processes.
From 2006 to date, approximately 21% of the company’s wastewater has been reused for different processes across Bioiberica’s manufacturing activity – and the company now aims to further increase this to 50%.
Going forward, the company has pledged to reduce water usage per tonne of product and ensure all operations respect local water resources, so that any returned water is clean. Future plans include collaboration with local communities to raise awareness of the new initiatives and ensure access to returned water.
“As the climate emergency becomes increasingly urgent, we’re taking action and doing all that we can to minimise Bioiberica’s environmental impact. The framework set out in our new Climate Strategy Report outlines two key focus areas - decarbonising the economy and mitigating the effects of climate change," added Solera.