Nestlé Lanka invests Rs. 1.1 Bn to inaugurate biomass boiler at Kurunegala Factory

Nestlé Lanka invested Rs. 1.1 billion to install and launch a biomass boiler project at its state-of-the-art factory in Kurunegala yesterday.

“The biomass boiler is a key initiative in the ‘Good Food Good Life’ company’s journey towards reaching net zero carbon emissions across the value chain by 2050,” said Bernie Stefan, Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka.

“This Rs 1.1 billion investment will facilitate the transition from the use of furnace oil to biomass for generating steam in its manufacturing operations. This transition will lead to a 90% reduction in carbon emissions generated from current steam boilers.”

He also disclosed that this project will also help Nestle to reduce the need to import furnace oil, whilst creating an opportunity for locally sourced biomass.

“This is also a part of our commitment towards playing a significant role in fuelling Sri Lanka’s economic revival, in line with the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka initiatives.”

Chief guest Minister of Industry and Entrepreneur Development Sunil Handunneththi who inaugurated the new biomass boiler said that Sri Lanka as a small country must protect and assist the industries sector to make maximum use of available raw materials and increase exports.

“We also need new industrialists and hence a new and entrepreneurial culture is being created. Towards this a new education culture too will be created.”

He also hailed Nestle for taking a bold decision to invest over Rs. 1 billion for this project and said this timely initiative should be followed by other private sector companies as the government entities are not in a position to do so. Guest of Honour, Dr. Siri Walt stated that Nestlé has a longstanding presence in Sri Lanka and is also a sustainability champion with its aim to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The groundbreaking investment into this biomass boiler is a testimony to this.”

Professor Tilak Hewawasam, Chairman – Central Environmental Authority said they get several complaints from the general public and others on environment pollution allegedly done by big and small factories but they have no got a single complain against Nestle factory in Kurunegala. “I commend Nestlé Lanka for investing and driving the transition to cleaner energy in their manufacturing operations, in line with our government’s Clean Sri Lanka initiatives.”

Nestlé Lanka has been producing consumers with much-loved brands for over 118 years and also exports MAGGI Coconut Milk Powder to over 60 countries around the world.

 Source:Daily News