As sustainability expectations continue to rise across Europe, it is becoming increasingly important to look for ways to reduce emissions and improve transparency across value chains. For Huhtamaki Foodservice Ukraine, this journey has reached an important milestone: the Kyiv production site is now powered by 100% verified renewable electricity.
Achieving this milestone is especially meaningful given the ongoing war in Ukraine. The conflict has significantly disrupted the country’s energy infrastructure in recent years, making reliable energy supply an ongoing challenge for businesses.
For Oleksandr Shylnyk, Production Manager, the achievement reflects years of preparation and, above all, the determination of the local team.
“For us, the achievement is not only reaching our sustainability targets, but doing so under extraordinary circumstances. Over the past four years, we have focused on solving practical challenges and keeping our operations running. Our team remained committed to finding solutions that support both our business and our long-term sustainability goals.”
Making the switch
By transitioning to 100% verified renewable electricity, Huhtamaki Ukraine is reducing the emissions associated with the electricity used in its manufacturing operations, known as Scope 2 emissions. This also helps customers reduce emissions across their own value chains.
The transition is also supported by Guarantees of Origin (GOs), which are official certificates that verify the renewable source of the electricity. This provides transparent, documented evidence to support emissions reporting and evolving European sustainability and packaging requirements, while providing assurance about the renewable energy used to manufacture our products.
Finding ways forward
The site has focused not only on renewable electricity, but also on improving energy efficiency. Heat generated by the plant’s compressed air systems is recovered and reused to heat offices, warehouses, and production areas, reducing the need for additional heating.
For Oleksandr, these projects are part of a broader focus on finding practical solutions and keeping the site running despite the challenges around them.
“We are simply doing our job,” Oleksandr says. “Over the past four years, we have focused on solving practical challenges and keeping operations running despite the situation around us.”
These milestones reflect that mindset. It is sustainability in action, driven by teamwork and perseverance under extraordinary circumstances.