If you’re serious about the future of print, sustainability can’t sit on the sidelines. It has to be part of how your business is built, how it runs, and how it grows.
That’s why we’ve invested heavily in onsite solar energy. By covering our rooftops with 2,411 solar panels, we’re taking real responsibility for how our energy is produced - reducing emissions, increasing resilience, and making long-term decisions that support both our business and the people who rely on it.
This isn’t a statement. It’s infrastructure.
From First Panels to Full Coverage
Our solar journey started in 2023 with the first phase of installation. We fitted 646 rooftop panels, capable of generating around 209,000 kWh of renewable electricity every year.
The system delivered exactly what we expected. So rather than pausing or reassessing, we expanded the project to cover the remaining roof space across Units A and B.
That second phase added 1,765 more panels, bringing the total to 2,411 solar panels across our buildings. Together, they give us the capacity to generate up to 1,048,626 kWh of clean electricity each year.
That’s a serious contribution to powering a high-volume print operation.
How Much Difference Does It Make?
A meaningful one.
Our solar installations now supply around 13–15% of our total energy demand, generated directly onsite.
Alongside this, 100% of the electricity we import is REGO-backed renewable energy. That combination means:
- less reliance on the grid
- greater control over where our energy comes from
- a significantly lower environmental impact
It’s a smarter, more stable way to run a manufacturing business.
Cutting Emissions at Scale
One of the clearest results of this investment is the reduction in our Scope 2 emissions - emissions linked to purchased electricity.
Since 2021, we’ve reduced Scope 2 emissions from 1,774.66 tonnes of CO₂e to just 1.78 tonnes of CO₂e. That’s a 99.9% reduction.
By increasing onsite generation and committing fully to renewable electricity, we’re on track to remove Scope 2 emissions entirely from our emissions profile by 2026.
That level of change only happens when sustainability is treated as a priority, not a side project.
Why This Matters
Energy is one of the biggest inputs in print production. Taking control of how it’s generated changes how resilient and responsible a business can be.
Generating our own power helps shield us from volatility in energy markets, creating more stability in how we operate. It also allows us to make long-term decisions without cutting corners, even as costs rise elsewhere.
Just as importantly, it means the print we produce is backed by real action - not vague commitments. More businesses want to understand the impact of their supply chain, and this investment gives us something concrete to stand behind.
Sharing What We’ve Learned
We’re also working with local businesses and South Yorkshire councils to encourage wider adoption of rooftop solar. By sharing our experience, performance data and lessons learned, we’re helping demonstrate what’s possible when renewable energy is implemented at scale.
The more businesses that invest in onsite generation, the bigger the collective impact.
What Comes Next
Installing over 2,400 solar panels is a major milestone, but it isn’t the finish line.
Our focus now is on continuing to increase onsite generation over the coming years, further reducing emissions and strengthening our energy independence. It’s part of a broader commitment to making print more efficient, more resilient and more responsible.
The Bottom Line
With 2,411 solar panels, the ability to generate over 1 million kWh of renewable energy every year, and a 99.9% reduction in Scope 2 emissions, this project represents a fundamental shift in how we power our operation.
It shows what’s possible when sustainability is treated as a long-term investment - and it’s one more way we’re building a print business designed to last.
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