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Unilever has received $20.9 million from the US Department of Energy to reduce carbon emissions at four of its US ice cream factories. This project was selected for award negotiations by the US Department of Energy as part of the 'Industrial Demonstrations Program' due to its potential to reduce emissions, benefit local communities and serve as a model for further decarbonisation throughout the food and beverage sector. The proposed project aims to cut 14,000 metric tons of carbon emissions per year, contributing significantly to Unilever's journey towards carbon neutrality for the facilitates producing brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Talenti, Magnum and Breyers.

Unilever's ice cream business plans to replace natural gas boilers with electric boilers and industrial heat pumps incorporating waste heat recovery. Unilever achieved 100% renewable grid electricity globally in 2020 and is working to transition all of its workplaces to 100% renewable energy. The site upgrades will lead to a significant reduction in carbon emissions and pave the way to tackle 100% of heat-related process emissions at the factories located in Missouri, Tennessee and Vermont. “We are making progress to decarbonise our ice cream business, and these substantial upgrades will mean a major cut in emissions,” said Sandeep Desai, chief product supply chain officer for Unilever's ice cream business. “This step moves us closer to our sustainability goals and is a significant investment in the future for our business and planet."