Unilever is set to receive a funding boost of up to $20.9 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to support a project aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of its ice cream facilities. Under this initiative, the government will collaborate with the company to finance upgrades at plants located in Vermont, Missouri, and Tennessee.
The project, which will impact factories producing renowned brands such as Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, and Magnum, will involve the replacement of natural gas boilers with electric boilers and heat pumps. Unilever estimates that these measures will result in a reduction of 14,000 metric tons of emissions annually.
By implementing these changes, Unilever aims to further its commitment to transitioning its facilities to fully renewable energy sources. This endeavour is aligned with the objectives of the Energy Department’s Industrial Demonstrations Program, which focuses on decarbonizing the food and beverage sector through initiatives that mitigate carbon emissions.
The ice cream factories project will play a pivotal role in Unilever’s broader sustainability agenda, facilitating progress towards its goal of achieving zero emissions from its operations by 2030 and net zero emissions across its entire supply chain by 2039.
This announcement comes on the heels of Unilever’s recent plans to restructure its operations, including the decision to spin off its ice cream segment. CEO Hein Schumacher revealed that this division, encompassing brands such as Talenti and Klondike, is likely to be listed as a separate entity in the near future.