Schneider Electric Partners With Albéa To Reduce Energy Costs And Carbon Emissions

• New energy procurement program will optimize utility contracts and rates, and standardize risk management
• Move to Active Energy Management links energy and sustainability initiatives to accelerate progress toward goals, including 15 percent improvement in energy efficiency by 2020

Andover, MA /PRNewswire/ - Schneider Electric today announced it is working with Albéa on an integrated energy and carbon management program that will help the beauty and personal care packaging company improve energy efficiency across its global facilities 15 percent by 2020 and improve sustainability reporting.

The latest phase in the three-year partnership includes strategic procurement to optimize utility contracts and rates to manage the risks and price volatility associated with energy sourcing. This builds on earlier energy efficiency-focused efforts to uncover opportunities and implement measures to help Albéa meet its 15 percent-reduction goal. Schneider Electric has also worked with Albéa to improve CDP reporting — the manufacturer has raised its rating from C to B — and evaluate science-based targets for additional, more rigorous climate action.

"Our clients are asking for more carbon management transparency from their suppliers, including detailed strategies to reduce consumption and emissions," said Gilles Swyngedauw, Director for Corporate Social Responsibility at Albéa. "We needed an advisor to help meet those demands, as well as our own sustainability targets. Schneider Electric has provided the guidance and technologies that will allow us to address these dual goals and showcase our industry leadership."

Albéa previously managed energy reduction and sustainability efforts locally across its 38-site, 15-country industrial footprint. The absence of a cohesive strategy, and a common approach to sharing data and best practices lacked efficiency, and created gaps in reporting and analysis. To overcome this challenge, Albéa adopted Schneider Electric's cloud-based EcoStruxure™ Resource Advisor to visualize, measure and manage initiatives across its entire portfolio. This allows the company to standardize conservation efforts across sites and measure progress through one single interface.

With the addition of a company-wide energy procurement program, Albéa has adopted an integrated, data-oriented approach to managing the strategies, data and resources needed to reduce consumption and maximize savings, a practice known as Active Energy Management.

The need for coordination across energy efficiency, supply and sustainability departments has never been greater. A recent study found that most organizations are not taking the necessary steps to integrate and advance their energy and sustainability programs. Many are focused on conventional approaches to energy management and climate action, and few have coordinated efforts between procurement, operations and sustainability departments.

"Organizations are starting to integrate how they buy and use energy with sustainability initiatives to see additional benefits such as increased efficiency, financial savings and more sustainable operations," said Steve Wilhite, senior vice president of Energy & Sustainability Services, Schneider Electric. "When these efforts converge into a single global program, companies can uncover new opportunities and drive even greater savings. We are proud to partner with Albéa on its Active Energy Management journey."

Albéa provides packaging solutions to beauty and personal care companies including L'Oréal, Unilever, Coty, Estée Lauder, LVMH and many others.

For more information, visit schneider-electric.com/ess. And for energy and sustainability news and trends, visit Perspectives or follow @SchneiderESS.

About Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is leading the Digital Transformation of Energy Management and Automation in Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries. With global presence in over 100 countries, Schneider is the undisputable leader in Power Management – Medium Voltage, Low Voltage and Secure Power, and in Automation Systems. We provide integrated efficiency solutions, combining energy, automation and software. In our global Ecosystem, we collaborate with the largest Partner, Integrator and Developer Community on our Open Platform to deliver real-time control and operational efficiency. We believe that great people and partners make Schneider a great company and that our commitment to Innovation, Diversity and Sustainability ensures that Life Is On everywhere, for everyone and at every moment.

www.schneider-electric.us

About Albéa
We make the packaging and solutions you use every day – from tubes, lipsticks, mascaras and pumps to applicators, packs with formula, travel kits and much more. We serve prestigious and dynamic brands, be they legacy or indie, big or small, international or local. We are a large small company with 1.5 billion dollars in revenues, big-group assets and entrepreneurial mindset. We support our customers wherever they are in the world, thanks to 15,000 people and 39-site footprint across West and East Europe, North and South America, China and Asia. Our motto is "Made here. Made responsibly" because we care about the environment and our communities. Our vision is to be the best company for our customers, people, partners and all our stakeholders. We are Albéa, the global leader in beauty packaging.

www.albea-group.com