From 5,000 to 0

For its two Belgian production units, MCC Verstraete has reduced CO₂ emission from 5,000 tons CO₂ eq. to zero. A pioneering example within the MCC group, as it is the first site to achieve the CO₂ neutral production certificate.

We’re very proud of the recognition this certificate brings for our IML business unit. For everyone at MCC Verstraete, this means an acknowledgement for their continuous focus on sustainability. We hope to inspire other companies to follow in these carbon neutral footsteps!

Stijn Billiet, Global Director Sustainability at MCC Label

Leading up to the certificate are a number of projects, actions and optimizations that were put in place to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the company:

• Investments in 100+ systems and software for monitoring electricity, water, gas, etc.
• Switch to LED lighting
• Replace light switches by presence detection
• Prevention of slumber consumption
• Optimization of cooling system
• Heat recovery
• Electricity purchased and used is 100% green, part of which is generated by own solar panels
• Quarterly meetings with energy consultants
• EBO certification
• Cross-functional brainstorm sessions to generate ideas for further reduction, etc.

Forestry project in Guatemala

While the CO₂ emission was already at a low level to begin with (5,000 tons CO₂ equivalent), after installing all the above initiatives a remainder of 528 tons was achieved. This remainder was compensated by investing in a forestry project in Guatemala which aims at ecosystem conservation and protection.

At the end of March 2021, an independent third party rewarded the MCC Verstraete team with the official CO₂ neutral certificate for the Belgian production sites.

We’ve put a lot of effort in going CO₂ neutral. The certificate of course is rewarding, but knowing that our daily production has a minimal impact on the environment, is even more!

Benedict Haemers, Quality Manager at MCC Verstraete