Courtaulds is first eco-factory for M&S, thanks to Spirax Sarco 20 April 2012

Courtaulds' West Mill hosiery plant in Belper, Derbyshire became Marks & Spencer's first UK supplier site to gain eco-factory status last year, thanks in large part to Spirax Sarco's steam system expertise and long-term support.

And now, Spirax Sarco is helping Courtaulds on production improvements and upgrades that could deliver further significant savings in steam consumption at the Belper site.

"Without the assistance and technical support of Spirax Sarco we wouldn't have achieved the targets we've managed so far, let alone our future energy saving targets," states Courtaulds' group engineering manager Steve Large.

Steam is an important utility at the site, he explains, which manufactures around a third of all M&S hosiery. It is chiefly used in dyeing and boarding (where the hosiery is shaped and pressed) applications that can often utilise up to 7 tonnes of steam per hour.

"We have to save energy wherever possible – it's the way we'll stay in business," comments Large. And Courtaulds' record to date is good: the plant has already reduced energy consumption by 50%, cut water by 20% and eliminated waste to landfill.

Most of the existing steam system equipment around the site has been supplied by Spirax Sarco. The latest steam improvements are due to take place shortly, and will, says Large, significantly increase steam usage, due to production expansion, but also improve efficiency by 20%.

Brian Tinham

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