Trade press release

GEA heat recovery system helps Britvic reduce its carbon footprint

21 Aug 2023

GEA supplies Britvic, one of UK’s leading soft drinks manufacturers, with a heat recovery system at its Beckton site, in London. The installation begins this summer and will result in cutting the factory’s carbon emissions by an estimated 1,200 tons annually – equivalent to the annual energy usage of around 500 UK homes.

Photo 1: At its Beckton site, Britvic produces 2,000 drinks every minute, including many of the UK's most popular beverages such as Robinsons, Tango and Pepsi MAX. GEA is supplying two industrial ammonia heat pumps and a large thermal storage tank. Image: Britvic

At its Beckton site, Britvic produces 2,000 drinks every minute, including many of the UK's most popular beverages such as Robinsons, Tango and Pepsi MAX. GEA is supplying two industrial ammonia heat pumps and a large thermal storage tank. Image: Britvic

At its Beckton site, Britvic produces 2,000 drinks every minute, including many of the UK's most popular beverages such as Robinsons, Tango and Pepsi MAX. GEA is supplying two industrial ammonia heat pumps and a large thermal storage tank. 

For Britvic, the project is a major step toward its goal of reducing direct carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2025 and achieving net zero by 2050. “The challenge with this brown-field project was how the improvements support us on our journey to reduce our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions as part of our science-based targets and our Healthier People, Healthier Planet sustainability strategy”, says Sarah Webster, Director of Sustainable Business at Britvic. “We’re excited to be working with GEA to make our much-loved London factory sustainable for the future.”

Photo 2: Existing refrigeration plant room at Britvic with three GEA BluAstrum chillers. Their waste heat will also feed the new heat pumps. Image: GEA

Existing refrigeration plant room at Britvic with three GEA BluAstrum chillers. Their waste heat will also feed the new heat pumps. Image: GEA

Here's how the new heat recovery system works at Britvic

Britvic will convert much of its process heating from natural gas steam boilers to a carbon-free heat recovery systems driven by heat pumps. The new heat recovery system, designed and supplied by GEA, reuses low temperature waste heat from the existing production system. This waste heat was previously released into the atmosphere and will now be used to heat hot water to 92°C, which will be distributed throughout the plant. Britvic says this will decarbonize 50 percent of the site's heat demand by using less gas in the traditional steam boilers, shifting the heat source away from fossil fuels. A valved connection is provided for up to 750 kW of heat which will be recovered in the future from other sources.

“Upgrading legacy industrial steam heating systems and integrating these with heat pump technology is a challenge. At GEA, we can supply heat pumps and integrated process heat exchanger skids as one solution. This clearly sets us apart from our competition”, says Matthew Hadwen, Beverage Sales Manager at GEA’s Liquid & Powder Technologies Division.

Simon Gurr, Sales Manager at GEA’s Heating & Refrigeration Division adds: “This project provides us with a fantastic opportunity to extend our leading role in industry decarbonization. GEA’s expertise in both heat pump technology and process integration bring the right solution to Britvic.”

Photo 3: GEA RedGenium heat pumps are used for industrial applications where process heat is required for local supply or district heating networks. Image: GEA

GEA RedGenium heat pumps are used for industrial applications where process heat is required for local supply or district heating networks. Image: GEA

Contact

Dr. Michael Golek

Phone: 49 211 9136 1505

About GEA

GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. The international technology group, founded in 1881, focuses on machinery and plants, as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services.

With more than 18,000 employees, the group generated revenues of about EUR 5.4 billion in more than 150 countries in the 2023 fiscal year. GEA plants, processes, components and services enhance the efficiency and sustainability of customer’s production. They contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, plastic usage and food waste. In doing so, GEA makes a key contribution toward a sustainable future, in line with the company’s purpose: ”Engineering for a better world“. GEA is listed on the German MDAX the European STOXX® Europe 600 Index and is among the companies comprising the DAX 50 ESG, MSCI Global Sustainability as well as Dow Jones Sustainability World and Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Indices.
 
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