PepsiCo has cut emissions at its site in Leicester thanks to the installation of three electric ovens, following the recent completion of a £58m investment in the factory.
It means some of the UK’s favourite snacks, including Wotsits, Monster Munch, Frazzles, Chipsticks and Cheetos, are now cooked using ovens powered by 100% renewable electricity.
As part of the upgrade, PepsiCo has installed two brand-new electric ovens and, through clever engineering, converted its previously gas-powered oven to now run on electric. Switching to these new electric ovens will help reduce the Leicester site’s greenhouse gas emissions by 1,500 tonnes per year.
The upgrade has been made possible by PepsiCo’s recent £58m investment in the site which has increased the site’s capacity to cook some of the nation’s favourite snacks. First announced in 2023, the investment has also seen Leicester become home to other PepsiCo snack brands such as Wotsits Giants, Monster Munch Giants and heritage Smiths brands like Chipsticks and Frazzles. Moving these production lines to Leicester has helped to cut transport-related emissions across PepsiCo’s UK operations by an estimated 915 tonnes a year.
The oven upgrades are the latest in a series of sustainability initiatives at PepsiCo’s UK sites as the company continues work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Last year, PepsiCo replaced elements of the existing manufacturing line for Doritos in Coventry with new equipment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 700 tonnes a year and invested in new, more efficient fryers at Brigg, the home of Pipers Crisps.
Richard Clarke, Manufacturing Director at PepsiCo UK and Ireland, said: “It’s fantastic to see the impact of our investment in each and every batch of delicious snacks made using our new electric ovens. With a brand-new production line, better facilities for our teams, and now these more sustainable ovens, we’ve been able to transform our home in Leicester and secure its future growth. We’re incredibly proud of all the work that goes into making our iconic snacks right in the heart of the UK, and even more so now we’re doing it in a more sustainable way.”
In addition to introducing new, lower-emission ovens, PepsiCo’s £58m investment in the Leicester site has also seen the company install a new manufacturing line and upgrade facilities for its 1,192-strong team.
PepsiCo has invested a total of £140m since 2020 to continue supporting its growth and success in the UK, where it makes some of Britain’s best loved brands across six sites.
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