Energy from the sun: Smart Packaging Solutions instals 1,232 solar panels at its production site in Meer

Smart Packaging Solutions has put 1,232 solar panels into operation at its production site in Meer. The installation is expected to generate 680 MWh of electricity annually – enough to meet 21% of its annual energy requirements – and will also reduce CO₂ emissions by 116 tonnes per year. This investment marks another step in Smart’s efforts to make its production processes more sustainable and reduce its environmental footprint.

At Smart Packaging Solutions, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We produce packaging made from solid board, largely composed of recycled paper and cardboard. After use, the packaging can be recycled again, helping to keep valuable raw materials in circulation. But sustainability goes beyond the packaging itself. We also look for ways to minimise the environmental impact of our production processes. Efficient energy use is an important part of this approach.

We expect the solar panels on the roof of the Meer site to generate roughly 680 MWh of electricity a year. This corresponds to 21% of the site’s annual energy requirements (based on consumption in 2024). By generating our own solar power, we can reduce our reliance on electricity from the grid. The 1,232 solar panels will decrease CO₂ emissions by 116 tonnes per year. The total investment amounts to €300,000.

The solar panels in Meer are part of Smart Packaging Solutions’ broader sustainability strategy. We are continuously working to reduce the environmental impact of both our products and production processes. Alongside using recycled raw materials and developing recyclable packaging, we also focus on making the production process itself more sustainable. The investment in Meer builds on our earlier efforts in this area. We have also installed solar panels at our location in Loenen. In this way, we are making both our packaging and our production processes more sustainable.