Volvo Cars unveils first solar energy installation at Ghent car factory
Mark Leo October 8, 2018 0 0	23 views
Volvo Cars has for the first time introduced solar energy into its global manufacturing operations. The installation of 15,000 solar panels at its car factory in Ghent, Belgium marks another step towards the company's vision of having climate-neutral global manufacturing operations by 2025.
This solar panel installation follows the company's announcement earlier this year that its Skövde engine plant in Sweden is the first climate-neutral facility in its global manufacturing network.
"Installing solar panels in Ghent ­adds to our broader efforts to minimise our environmental footprint," said Javier Varela, head of manufacturing and logistics at Volvo Cars. "We have a constant focus across our supply chain on improving energy efficiency, aiming for the lowest possible carbon footprint across our operations, with the highest possible use of renewable sources."
The Ghent factory also uses wind power to supply around 11 per cent of its power consumption, and in 2016 the factory introduced a heating system that reduced carbon emissions by 40 per cent, saving 15,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. Since 2008, the electricity supply for all Volvo Cars' European plants has come from renewable sources.
Volvo Cars is also working to make greater use of sustainable material in its products. By 2025 it wants at least 25 per cent of the plastics used in every newly launched Volvo car to be made from recycled material.
The company is also committed to using less plastic in its operations, already undertaking a process to remove single-use plastics from all its offices, canteens and events across the globe by the end of 2019. Every year the programme replaces over 20 million single-use plastic items such as cups, food containers and cutlery with more sustainable alternatives, including biodegradable products made of paper, pulp and wood.
The centrepiece of Volvo Cars' commitment to reducing the environmental impact of both its products and operations was announced in 2017, when the company made its industry-leading commitment to electrify all new Volvo cars launched after 2019. This spring, Volvo Cars reinforced this strategy, by stating that it aims for fully electric cars to make up 50 per cent of its global sales by 2025.
Mark Leo
Tags Eco Ghent Manufacturing Plant Solar solar energy Volvo
INFINITI Project Black S: The ultimate test-bed for motorsport tech
Honda's Smart Intersection technology helps you figure out whats coming around the corner
FEATURE: 10 Things You Should Know About the Perodua Axia
AF Newsdesk September 18, 2014 88 views
FEATURE: 7 Reasons Why I Adore The Honda Civic 1.5 VTEC Turbo
AF Newsdesk April 7, 2017 40 views
Product Review: Bosch Clear Advantage wiper blades
AF Newsdesk March 1, 2017 28 views
Mitsubishi introduces facelifted 2016 Lancer
AF Newsdesk October 1, 2015 28 views
BIKES FEATURE: Exclusive! Why I Bought The Yamaha NVX155
Chris Wee August 23, 2017 18 views
Test drive review: Proton Iriz 1.6 Premium MT
AF Newsdesk August 19, 2016 18 views
Volvo wants to set a speed limit of 180kmh on their cars to highlight the dangers of speeding
Porsche says the next generation of Macan will be fully electric
Mark Leo March 4, 2019
Polestar reveals Polestar 2
Volvo Cars introduces refreshed Volvo XC90
Mercedes-Benz's road to zero-emission driving
Nissan switches on largest collective solar roof in the Netherlands
Volvo and KidZania imparts road safety education to more than 90,000 school children