How TRUE Helped Trelleborg Group Define Long Net Zero Path

Please introduce yourself and your role at Open Energy Market.

My name is Chris Maclean, and I’m CEO of TRUE, powered by Open Energy Market.

In this role, I steer the strategic direction and development of our services, ensuring we align with the needs of our clients.

Our core focus is to help businesses reduce energy costs, invest with confidence in sustainability and create a commercially competitive path to Net Zero.

We integrate energy procurement with sustainability goals to provide businesses with real-time insights for optimising energy use and reducing carbon emissions. Through leveraging data analytics, we empower organisations to make informed decisions that balance environmental impact with financial viability. 

How has green reform impacted the UK manufacturing sector?

Green reform has significantly reshaped the UK manufacturing sector, pushing businesses to adapt in response to stricter regulations such as the Climate Change Act 2008, SECR, and ESOS.

These regulations have pushed manufacturers to prioritise energy efficiency, waste reduction, and investment in renewable energy sources.

While these changes have increased operational costs due to the need for substantial investment in green technologies, they also present opportunities for innovation.

The shift towards sustainability enhances the sector’s global competitiveness and positions UK manufacturers as leaders in green practices.

Although the transition poses short-term challenges, it promises long-term cost savings and alignment with national sustainability goals. 

What differentiates a long net zero strategy from a typical net zero strategy?

A long-term net zero strategy stands out for its comprehensive and forward-thinking approach.

While a typical strategy might focus on immediate, actionable steps to reduce emissions, a long-term net zero strategy extends beyond short-term goals, addressing sustainability across the entire value chain over an extended period.

This approach involves setting initial targets, investing in existing technologies, and monitoring changes based on data you’ve gathered.

It also emphasises Scope 3 emissions – often overlooked in typical strategies – and integrates sustainability into every aspect of operations.

Additionally, a long-term net zero strategy focuses on business resilience, planning for incoming regulatory changes and market volatility, ensuring continuous progress towards net zero. 

Where do manufacturers struggle the most with transitioning to renewables and why?

Manufacturers often struggle with the complexity, cost, and expertise required to transition to renewables.

The pressure to meet the UK's 2030 and 2050 emissions targets is immense, but many businesses, especially SMEs, lack the financial resources and understanding to make the shift effectively. 

Common challenges include confusion over terms like carbon neutrality and net zero, financial constraints, and a shortage of skilled workers needed to implement sustainable initiatives. 

Technology can play a crucial role in overcoming these challenges.

Automation and data analytics enable businesses to measure and manage their environmental impact with more clarity.

Despite financial hurdles, transitioning to renewables is crucial for long-term cost savings, regulatory compliance, and avoiding penalties. 

How can manufacturers transition to renewables whilst keeping costs and disruption to a minimum?

Manufacturers can start by enhancing operational energy efficiency.

Upgrading equipment and implementing advanced monitoring systems can reduce overall energy consumption, lowering costs and easing the transition to renewables. 

Leveraging data analytics is also critical - energy dashboards can help identify the most cost-effective renewable energy investments.

Integrating sustainable technologies into existing infrastructure, such as solar panels or wind turbines, in stages allows businesses to spread out investments and minimise operational disruptions. 

Engaging with expert sustainability consultants can provide manufacturers with tailored advice on navigating regulatory requirements, such as ESOS compliance, and securing financial incentives.

These consultants can also assist in negotiating favourable contracts with renewable energy providers, further reducing costs.

By adopting these strategies, manufacturers can smoothly transition to renewables, aligning with environmental goals while maintaining operational and financial stability.

How does TRUE help manufacturers achieve the above with its platform?

TRUE empowers manufacturers to take control of their energy consumption through a simple, user-friendly platform.

By centralising all energy data, our platform allows users to monitor usage, costs, and identify areas for savings.

Our data dashboards offer clear insights into energy usage, helping businesses secure lower costs through smart market instruments.

We also connect directly to existing sustainable technologies, allowing users to measure their effectiveness and explore additional investments that could further reduce energy expenses.

Our tools help reduce Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, minimising environmental impact through effective carbon reduction strategies.

Additionally, TRUE simplifies ESOS compliance, ensuring deadlines are met with ease. Our team of expert sustainability consultants provides personalised guidance, adding a human touch to our services. 

Can you give me some examples of how you have helped manufacturers build a successful long net zero strategy?

A great example is our partnership with Trelleborg Group, a global leader in polymer engineering and production.

Trelleborg faced the challenge of managing energy consumption across 19 UK sites with various suppliers and contracts, lacking a centralised energy strategy. This made it difficult to track energy costs and respond effectively to market fluctuations.

We consolidated all energy contracts under a single umbrella, managed by Global Sourcing Specialist Colin Farrell. This centralisation allowed for renegotiation of contracts, reducing costs and CO2 emissions.

TRUE provided Trelleborg with a comprehensive view of energy consumption across all sites, enabling strategic changes that led to a 28% reduction in energy usage. Additionally, Trelleborg transitioned entirely to renewable energy across its UK sites, significantly lowering its carbon footprint.

Since the collaboration began, Trelleborg has saved £6.5 million, demonstrating the impact of a well-executed long-term net zero strategy. 

What are your plans for the next twelve months?

In the next twelve months, we want to continue to enhance the capability of the TRUE platform, focusing on delivering precise and actionable insights for our clients.

Expanding our support for Scope 3 emissions tracking will be a priority, as this is an area where many organisations face challenges due to a lack of visibility.

We also plan to help businesses gain deeper insights into their supply chains, a complex issue we’re committed to addressing.

Our ultimate goal is to empower companies to reduce their carbon emissions in a financially viable way, improving our services to support businesses while contributing to broader environmental goals.  

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