Futamura UK Ltd. says the carbon footprint of its NatureFlex cellulose films fell by an average of 24% between 2019 and 2025, following changes to production and energy use at its UK site.
The reduction covered both lacquered film, based on NatureFlex NVS, and plain film production. An independent life cycle assessment by ERM, using IPCC AR6 GWP100 values, calculated cumulative avoided emissions of about 100,000 tonnes of CO₂e. Futamura compared this with annual emissions from around 70,000 cars on UK roads, an illustrative equivalence that does not mean cars were removed.
Futamura said a compressed air system and heat recovery from compressors have reduced emissions by more than 400 tonnes of CO₂e a year. Recovered heat preheats thermotanks, reducing steam demand. It said the system has had no major issues to date.
Further investments are under way for implementation by 2027/28. These include a Wet Sulphuric Acid (WSA) plant that will use production waste gases to generate a raw material through oxidation. Heat from the reaction will produce steam for manufacturing. Futamura estimates the plant will provide 15% of the site’s total energy requirement. Based on 2025 production volumes, the investments are projected to avoid emissions equivalent to a further 4,000 cars’ annual emissions in the UK.
Other measures include reprogramming administration block air conditioning in 2022, replacing fluorescent lighting with LEDs, and switching off laboratory ovens when not required. LED lighting covers 80% of the site; Futamura said the upgrades paid back within the first year.
“The reductions in our operational and product carbon footprints reflect the dedication of our workforce and their commitment to continuous improvement,” said Lucy Cowton, Futamura’s sustainability manager. She said future investment, including the WSA plant, is expected to cut operational emissions further.