EU accreditation puts Glanbia in driving seat for energy efficiency

GLANBIA Ingredients Ireland, with operations at Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny, and Virginia, Co Cavan, is being hailed as a leader in energy efficiency.

The accolade came from the European Committee of Standardisation (CEN) at the launch of Europe’s newest energy management system, EN 16001, in Brussels.

Glanbia Ingredients was the only Irish and EU company invited to showcase its energy management programme at the launch of the new standard being rolled out across Europe.

The adoption of the standard will allow businesses set up a continuous improvement process for energy use and business performance that will lead to reduced costs.

In 2007 Glanbia was the first Irish-owned firm to achieve the IS 393 Energy Management System certification – the precursor to the EN 16001 – in Ireland. The achievement of this accreditation, combined with its best practice in energy efficiency, was the reason why Glanbia was selected as the flagship company to be associated with the European launch of EN 16001.

Jim Bergin, chief executive of Glanbia Ingredients Ireland, said the company was honoured to have been selected to help launch this new European standard.

“Glanbia Ingredients Ireland is an energy intensive business and we will be working to this latest standard as part of our ongoing drive to adopt a more stringent approach to managing energy efficiency and becoming even more competitive in this difficult economic environment,” he said.

EN 16001 applies to all types and sizes of companies and organisations and can be used independently or integrated with any other management system, such as those for quality, environment and occupational health and safety management.