Once complete, the 815kWp solar array is expected to generate over 700MWh per annum. The panels will also help support Essentra’s pledge to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2030, from its 2019 baseline.
Kidlington marks the third Essentra site to install solar panels, following the successful installation at its manufacturing sites in Rayong, Thailand and Hengzhu, China, both in 2023.
Jennifer Spence, ESG director at Essentra, said: “We have created a long-term framework for reducing carbon emissions and improving sustainability across our business, backed up with short, medium, and long-term actions across our key sites and product lines. These solar panels at Kidlington will not only provide us with significant cost savings, but also provide us with on-site renewable power.
“We are constantly evolving our strategy to ensure that we remain focused on our sustainability ambitions. This latest solar panel installation clearly reinforces our intent to decarbonise and supports our commitment to reach net-zero in our direct operations by 2040 at the latest.”
Work on the solar panels at its headquarters is expected to be completed by April 2025.
Last September, Essentra released details of products promised in Q2 following its acquisition of BMP TAPPI, having completed trials of more sustainable alternatives to single use plastics.
The new releases include an extension to its ILU range of polyethylene ribbed pipe-end plugs, used to protect pipes during transit against the ingress of dust, water and other contaminants, as well as during sandblasting, painting, and other surface treatments.
The company has also extended its range of tube inserts to accommodate square, round or rectangular openings to give a more aesthetic finish to metal fabricated tubes.
Among the innovations is the successful trial of a sustainable post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics material that will reduce the company’s reliance on single use plastics and will result in the launch of a new range of plastic components later in the year.
