Mexican baking company Grupo Bimbo has inaugurated a new solar facility at its corporate site in Mexico City which it says will “reduce annual CO2 emissions by 2,500 tons”.
The first stage of the ‘Bimbo Solar’ site will supply to 3.7 MW to 24 sales depos, seven branches of El Globo, the corporate building, and its metropolitan distribution centre, which is currently being built.
Grupo Bimbo CEO Daniel Servitje inaugurated the system, which includes 308 solar panels that will supply 20% of corporate facility.
He said: “By incorporating this technology to our operations and the corporate building, at Grupo Bimbo we are taking another important step in our strong commitment to sustainability and the planet.
“Every action is accumulative and all efforts count to take care of our surroundings. We should make sure that all progress will protect the natural heritage of the future.”
Julian Willenbrock, CEO of solar panel firm Enlight, said: “It is an honour for Enlight to be part of this change, and we are excited to do it hand in hand with Grupo Bimbo, a leader company that is committed to the continuous improvement of its operations, with the planet and society.”
Grupo Bimbo said that the facility is the latest sign of the company’s commitment to sustainable food production. It has reduced its water usage by 29% since 2009 and nine of its plants have systems to catch, store and reuse rainwater.
It has also reduced “95% of waste from its operations” and eight plants are said to have achieved zero waste to landfill.
Last year, Grupo Bimbo continued its global expansion with the acquisition of US foodservice company East Balt Bakeries for $650 million. It said the deal represents its strategy to focus on high-growth markets.
Bimbo also invested $86 million in a production plant and distribution centre in Tenjo, Colombia.
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