Unilever opens LEED certified ice cream factory

Unilever’s first-ever LEED certified ice cream factory is the latest example of the company’s efforts at sustainability. Located in Konya, the new plant will reuse rain and surface water and recover heat. It is zero-non-hazardous-waste-to-landfill by design. The company’s 35^th ice cream plant globally, it will be the model for next Heartbrand factories.

“Turkey is an important growth market for Unilever. We have a long history in the country – having been in business there for almost 100 years and opened our first factory in 1952,” says Pier Luigi Sigismondi, chief supply chain officer. “Today, Konya has become our eighth manufacturing site in the country, as we continue to invest in growing our Turkish and regional business. This new factory is a testament to our commitment to drive sustainable growth and make more people smile with our ice creams.”

Unilever entered the Turkish ice cream market in 1990 where it now has a current market share of over 70%. Konya's output will be for the domestic market, and the Middle Eastern and North African markets. The plant will produce the brands Cornetto, Max and Twister. Current annual production capacity is 80 million litres, with the option to expand to 200 million litres.

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