Lindt & Sprüngli US division extends major energy sustainability project
Members of Eversource’s Energy Efficiency, Electric Mobility and Active Demand Response team tour Lindt’s plant in Stratham, New Hampshire
Premium chocolate firm Lindt & Sprüngli’s US division has moved to extend a deal with Eversource utility specialists, as the chocolate manufacturer seeks to drive further environmental efficiencies in the region, reports Neill Barston.
As Confectionery Production has previously reported, one of the most significant costs for the sweets and snacks sector around the world remains soaring energy prices that have impacted on the industry notably.
For its part, Lindt & Sprüngli has signed its third consecutive three-year agreement with Eversource, taking the collaboration to 2029, as the confectionery major targets substantial operational savings against a challenging economic regional climate,
Among core recent tests has been the introduction of tariffs and heightened financial headwinds for the wider sector with increased cocoa sourcing costs in the past two years, which have begun to stabilise.
The Swiss headquartered company hailed the partnership to date as a significant success, with its efforts in recent years equivalent to avoiding the greenhouse gas emissions that would arise from driving over 5 million miles in a gas-powered car, amounting to over 2,200 metric tons.
As part of the energy saving drive, there have been a number of facility upgrades, including LED lighting conversions, chilled‑water system improvements, heat‑recovery projects, compressor and HVAC enhancements, and advanced digital controls, all of which boost operational efficiency while contributing to job stability and local economic activity.
Moreover, as the agreement continues, the business has committed to achieving further reductions of over 1 million kWh annually – between 2026-2029, with its enhanced facilities in the region.
“For almost a decade, working with Eversource has enabled us to plan proactively and invest strategically in energy efficiency initiatives, delivering improvements across our operations,” said Sarah Keller, Vice President of North American Sustainability at Lindt & Sprüngli. “Continuing this agreement shows just how committed both teams are to long‑term energy efficiency.”
As the confectionery group noted, since striking an initial agreement back in 2018, it has developed a comprehensive, data‑driven, multi‑year energy strategy that has resulted in significant energy savings. This approach has accelerated efficiency upgrades and improved reliability across the Stratham manufacturing campus.
In terms of its results, the company said that between 2018-2020, there had been projected annual savings of 3.1 million Kwh, which were nearly doubled to 6.1 million Kwh.
Furthermore, between 2021-2023, the company more than doubled its forecasts for energy saving, attaining annual savings: 3.1 million kWh, more than double its goal.
As the company concluded, its initiatives align with its 2030 Sustainability Plan, in which the Group committed to achieving net‑zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050.
The business noted that the creation of such industry partnerships was a significant component in achieving its environmental targets that ensured operational efficiency, as well as greener performance.
