Tate & Lyle’s renewable electricity agreement reduces carbon footprint of sucralose production

Tate & Lyle’s agreement with Alabama Power means 100% of its sucralose facility’s purchased electricity in McIntosh, US, will come from renewable sources and the carbon footprint of its sucralose will be reduced by more than 20%.

The ingredient solutions provider for healthier food and beverages, announced that it has signed an agreement with Alabama Power for the provision of renewable electricity, representing the next step towards meeting its target of 100% of the electricity purchased for its operations coming from renewable sources by 2030.

Under the agreement, through its renewable energy certificates (REC) programme, Alabama Power will provide Tate & Lyle with RECs and electricity each year to provide all the power needed for its sucralose production facility in Alabama, US.

The RECs will be sourced through Alabama Power from wind farms operating in Kansas and Oklahoma and will reduce the McIntosh facility’s Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions to zero. It will also increase Tate & Lyle’s total purchased electricity from renewable sources globally to more than 30% and reduce the carbon footprint of its sucralose ingredient by more than 20%.

Nick Hampton, chief executive, Tate & Lyle noted that with climate change the biggest threat to the world’s long-term future, it is vital that companies accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

“We have set ourselves ambitious science-based targets to significantly reduce our carbon footprint by 2028 and this agreement with Alabama Power is another clear demonstration of our commitment to meet our targets,” Hampton added.

George Parten, sucralose plant manager, McIntosh, Alabama, US said he is delighted to enhance a partnership with Alabama Power by purchasing renewable electricity.

“We will work together with them to help reduce the carbon footprint of our ingredient sucralose and our site, and to support the transition to cleaner energy,” Parten explained. “We are committed to minimising our environmental impact and to helping build a more sustainable future for our business, our customers and our local community.”

The agreement is part of Tate & Lyle’s broader sustainability programme which includes initiatives to reduce energy consumption, increase the use of renewable electricity and support sustainable agriculture.

Tate & Lyle’s climate targets are in line with a 1.5°C trajectory and have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.

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