Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) has launched a new industry research partnership with a UK-based institution that will seek to establish a sustainable future for the manufacturing sector.
CCE will work with Cranfield University to investigate the current sustainability landscape across the supply chain, exploring topics such as resource security, the circular economy, sustainable technologies and waste management. It will also seek to establish a vision of what a sustainable factory will look like in 35 years’ time.
The project was announced at the same time as CCE unveiled plans to invest £66m into its operations this year, surpassing the £52m it invested during 2014 and bringing the total amount of investment by the business to nearly £300m in five years.
Coca-Cola Enterprises group director of supply chain operations Steve Adams said: “We are excited to be embarking on this journey with Cranfield, as we look to the future of sustainable manufacturing in our industry. At CCE we take our responsibilities in this area very seriously and we are constantly looking for new ways to progress and improve, which is why we have again pledged to invest significantly across our operations this year. “We view the research project as a collaborative effort, and will look to involve our industry peers as we assess the findings from Cranfield, starting with the knowledge-sharing session held at our Milton Keynes facility today.”
Based in Bedfordshire, Cranfield is a postgraduate and research-based university most noted for its science, engineering, technology and management specialisms.
Professor of sustainable manufacturing Mark Jolly said: “This is an exciting opportunity for Cranfield researchers to share their expertise in sustainable manufacturing processes, systems and business models in order to help CCE in their mission to achieve best-in-world manufacturing for the future. We hope that Cranfield’s cross-sector vision and experience as well as its extensive network of contacts will be invaluable for CCE in its vision for lower energy, reduced materials usage and lowest CO2 footprint in its manufacturing plants.”
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