McCormick EMEA’s New UK Manufacturing Site on Track to Become a Net Zero Carbon Building

Peterborough, United Kingdom, 26 May 2021 – McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE: MKC), a global leader in flavour, is pleased to announce that its new manufacturing site in Peterborough, UK, due to open in 2021, is on track to become McCormick's first Net Zero Carbon Building. Once fully operational, the 93,000m² site will employ approximately 300 people and will serve our Flavour Solutions customers.

The project is using the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework to help deliver Net Zero Carbon in both construction and operations, the highest level of commitment to the framework . 

McCormick launched its Purpose-Led Performance programme in 2017 where it outlined a set of goals to benefit people, communities, and the planet by 2025. To impact climate change, McCormick's science-based emissions targets include one to achieve a 20% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from our facilities (scope 1 and scope 2) and another to achieve a 16% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (scope 3) by 2030. The Peterborough Gateway project has been devised in close collaboration with Flavour Solutions customers and the aim is to make it a sustainable manufacturing blueprint across our global supply chain.

To achieve Net Zero in construction, and to prepare for Net Zero in operations, McCormick followed a methodology of building less, building clever and building efficiently as set out in the UKGBC framework. McCormick's actions are reducing the site's construction carbon emissions by 30% from an estimated 36,000 tCO₂e to a current estimate of 25,000 tCO₂e (+/ 25%). This will be confirmed at build completion. 

Net Zero in Construction

McCormick's initial design footprint review and whole life carbon assessment led to design and construction changes impacting the facility, including on-site concrete mixing capabilities and the use of low-carbon concrete. The site's concrete uses 30% Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) to reduce carbon in the site's foundations, ground and mezzanine floors, as well as its external yard. The facility's construction will also reuse 12,400m³ of excavated soil during the cut and fill process to avoid bringing in or removing earth.

McCormick has worked with Natural Capital Partners, the leading experts on carbon neutrality and climate finance, to find credible offsite carbon reductions to achieve Net Zero in construction.

All of the remaining construction-related carbon emissions at the site are being offset by our backing of The East Thrace Wind Power programme in Turkey. Independently verified and built following extensive local consultation, this project generates zero carbon electricity. With Purpose-Led-Performance in mind, McCormick has gone a step further to support a longer-term UK reforestation project via the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) at The Lowther Whale initiative in the Lake District National Park.

Net Zero in Operations

The site has also been designed to achieve Net Zero in operations and follow sustainability best practice. The site's operational electricity supply will come from a blend of renewable sources – wind, solar, water, thermal and anaerobic digestion – in line with the UKGBC framework. The Peterborough facility will reduce water use through the installation of trigger controls at hose points, water monitoring and measurement tools, and an air-line cleaning system. The facility's other Net Zero features include cutting-edge refrigeration to reduce energy loss, solar panels, and energy-efficient steam generators.

Chris Jinks, President EMEA, commented: 

"We are delighted that our new Peterborough facility is on track to become a Net Zero Carbon Building and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our colleagues and partners who have worked tirelessly to get us to this point. 

"While acknowledging there is still much work to do to achieve our Net Zero ambitions at Peterborough, we are pleased with the progress we are making.

"This marks an important milestone in our sustainability journey. Our customers and consumers have been at the heart of our decision-making and we look forward to working with others to explore more ways to make a positive contribution to the world around us and reduce our reliance on the planet's natural resources."

For information contact:

EMEA Corporate Communications:

Jim Smith +(0) 7790 824 073 or jim.smith@mccormick.co.uk

FTI Consulting:

Tom Hufton / Fern Duncan +(0)7999 653 523 / +(0)7970 741 081

MCCormick@fticonsulting.com 

About McCormick

McCormick & Company, Incorporated is a global leader in flavor.  With over $5 billion in annual sales across 150 countries and territories, we manufacture, market and distribute spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products to the entire food industry including ecommerce channels, grocery, food manufacturers and foodservice businesses.  Our most popular brands include McCormick, French's, Frank's RedHot, Stubb's, OLD BAY, Lawry's, Zatarain's, Ducros, Vahiné, Schwartz, Kamis, Kohinoor, DaQiao, Club House, Aeroplane and Gourmet Garden.  Every day, no matter where or what you eat or drink, you can enjoy food flavored by McCormick.

Founded in 1889 and headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland USA, McCormick is guided by our principles and committed to our Purpose – To Stand Together for the Future of Flavor.  McCormick envisions A World United by Flavor where healthy, sustainable and delicious go hand in hand.  To learn more, visit www.mccormickcorporation.com or follow McCormick & Company on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About UK Green Building Council (UKGBC)

The UKGBC was established in 2007 and currently has more than 500 member organisations spanning UK industry. It’s part of a global network of over 70 national Green Building Councils with a mission to radically improve the sustainability of the built environment, by transforming the way it’s planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated.

About Natural Capital Partners

Natural Capital Partners is harnessing the power of business to create a more sustainable world. With more than 300 clients in 34 countries and a network of partners providing the highest quality projects, Natural Capital Partners delivers solutions to make real change possible—reducing carbon emissions, generating renewable energy, building resilience in supply chains, conserving forests and biodiversity, and improving health and livelihoods. The organisation is on a mission to enhance the planet, not just maintain it. 

1. A Net Zero Carbon Building as defined by the UK Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework. 
   The UKGBC was established in 2007 and currently has more than 500 members including Marks & Spencer, Mitsubishi Electric and Lloyds Banking Group. The framework has been developed by an industry task group of businesses, trade associations and non-profit organisations. It provides guidance on the definition of net zero carbon buildings – both non-domestic and homes – and a way to demonstrate how a building has achieved net zero carbon status. 
2. Natural Capital Partners has more than 300 clients in 34 countries, including Microsoft, PwC and Sky.