Kimberly-Clark switches to solar roofs at Tuas

With this investment, renewable energy will now replace 15 per cent of conventional energy use at the plant, reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by approximately 1,600 metric tons per year. This is equivalent to removing nearly 350 passenger cars from roads annually.

"Our manufacturing operations in Singapore have long been recognized as a leader in environmental protection. Switching on this solar roof marks a new milestone in our sustainability journey and accelerates our progress towards our goal of achieving a 20 per cent reduction in GHG emissions globally, by 2022," Achal Agarwal, president, Kimberly-Clark Asia Pacific, said.

Through continued investments in climate and energy programmes at its operations around the world, Kimberly-Clark has embarked on a long-term effort to minimise climate change impact from its operations and at the same time transform its financial performance.

"I am glad to see enterprises such as Kimberly-Clark Corporation step up efforts to adopt renewable energy. Sustainable development is not just central to the mitigation of climate change and protection of the environment. When thoughtfully incorporated, it can benefit business operations and reduce costs in the long run," said Masagos Zulkifli, Singapore's minister for the environment and water resources, during the inauguration.

The solar roof panels were installed in partnership with Singapore-based solar energy provider Sunseap, which has played an instrumental role in the development of many grid-connected PV systems, pioneering the solar energy movement in Singapore.

"We are pleased to work with Kimberly-Clark in their efforts to go green. As the leading integrated clean energy solutions provider in Singapore, we encourage all companies to look for ways to be environmentally friendly in their business. There are various measures companies can take to reduce their carbon footprint including tapping renewable energy for their operations and going paperless in their day-to-day work," said Frank Phuan, CEO and executive director, Sunseap Group.

Kimberly-Clark's Tuas plant has a long track record of reducing its environmental footprint. In 2016, it launched an in-house wastewater treatment plant that recycles 75 per cent of the water used in its wet wipes production.

Since 2017, it has partnered with Ngee Ann polytechnic researchers to find utility for material waste generated during its production process, as part of its broader efforts to re-use or recycle 100 per cent of its waste. (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India