VitrA Pledges Commitment to Sustainable Future with Investment in Renewable Energy
Eczacıbaşı Building Products (EBP) has set up a solar power plant on the roof of its factory in Bilecik, Turkey. EBP aims to install solar energy panels on the rooftops of all its buildings by the end of 2025, with the objective of generating a total of 5.4 million kWh of energy in 2023 through the solar power plant.
Eczacıbaşı Building Products has announced the installation of a solar power plant (SPP) on the roof of its ceramic sanitary ware factory at the VitrA Production Campus in Bozüyük, Bilecik. The SPP boasts an impressive installed capacity of 4.29 MWp, featuring 8,096 panels and 40 inverters. With a total investment of 45 million TL, the rooftop SPP is expected to generate 5.4 million kWh of energy this year.
According to EBP CEO Özgen Özkan, the company aims to install 112 thousand square metres of rooftop SPPs by the end of 2025, reaching a total installed renewable energy capacity of 19.7 MWp. Upon reaching these levels, EBP will be able to meet approximately 30% of its annual electricity needs through self-produced renewable energy sources.
In 2022, EBP initiated the purchase of I-REC certified green electricity and eliminated carbon emissions from electricity used in production. Going forward, EBP plans to continue procuring the remaining electricity needed from certified green electricity sources while using electricity generated through its renewable energy investments.
“This project demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and our aim to reduce our carbon footprint. We are proud to be taking steps towards a cleaner and greener future, while providing a positive example for other companies in our industry.”
Özkan
We are accelerating our renewable energy investments
“At the heart of our business strategy and decision-making process is a commitment to sustainability, as we strive towards a better future. In line with our sustainability strategy, we are accelerating our renewable energy investments and are utilizing all opportunities to support our low carbon transition roadmap. We remain dedicated to prioritizing sustainability in our planned investments, while also leveraging innovative technologies and energy-efficient practices in our existing production processes.”
Özkan
Full rooftop coverage: SPP to be installed across all facilities
Özkan detailed the installation of SPP on the roofs of several company locations, including stores in Ankara, Bodrum, and Suadiye, in addition to the ceramic sanitary ware factory in Bozüyük.
“Our faucets and concealed cistern factories are next. By the end of 2025, we aim to have every building in our portfolio equipped with a solar energy panel on its roof.”
Özkan
In addition to these renewable energy investments, EBP is also committed to reducing its carbon emissions by purchasing IREC certified green electricity for use in its production facilities and stores. Özkan added that the company hopes to encourage other manufacturers in the country to follow suit and accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
Energy efficiency goes hand in hand with renewables
Özkan noted that EBP has been reporting on its sustainability activities as part of the Eczacıbaşı Group since 2008. However, in 2022, the company prepared its first Sustainability Report as an individual organization, which was Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) indexed and aligned with the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Stakeholder Capitalism Indicators.
Özkan emphasized the importance of both renewable energy and energy efficiency in achieving sustainability goals. He noted that the company invests in energy management systems and leverages digital transformation opportunities to improve energy efficiency. In addition, EBP collaborates with academia and the private sector to accelerate energy efficiency projects.
Furthermore, EBP ensures that new factory investments and processes are designed with sustainability in mind, both in terms of infrastructure and equipment.