Kellogg targets water reduction with self-supply

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The Manchester factory is Kellogg’s largest European operation

The Kellogg Company’s Manchester site is to move to water and sewerage self-supply following a tie-up with water management firm Waterscan.

The cereal maker said having a water self-supply licence would help it meet water reduction targets faster, as it would have “complete control and trust” in its data.

As part of its global 2020 sustainability commitments, Kellogg has set a target to drive down water usage by 15% against a 2015 baseline.

With Manchester being Kellogg’s largest operation in Europe, Waterscan said any reductions that could be made there would have a “significant effect” on reaching this goal.

Greater control over discharge

In moving to an open supply, Waterscan said Kellogg would be able to benefit from having greater control over its trade effluent discharge, generate savings by paying wholesale prices and have voting rights – which give large-scale manufacturing organisations a greater customer voice in the water marketplace.

Waterscan will act as Kellogg’s managing agent, take on responsibility for the water retail functions, provide technical support and work to find further water efficiency savings.

“With water such a big focus, we are confident that working with Kellogg to self-supply will build on the success of its water management programme to date,” said Waterscan managing director Neil Pendle.

Complete control over data

Paul Wrigley, plant director at Kellogg’s Manchester site, said Waterscan’s “innovative and forward-thinking approach” was similar to his own company’s values.

“After looking at our options, we decided that having a water self-supply licence will help us meet our water reduction targets faster as we will have complete control over and trust in our data,” he added.

Kellogg representatives attended Waterscan’s most recent Self-Supply User Forum where they were able to meet and learn from industry peers and build dialogue with key water market participants.

The licence application is subject to Ofwat approval. Other manufacturers that have moved to self-supply in the open water market include Heineken and Coca-Cola European Partners.