Lidl has launched a new bottling plant in Derby which will help the discounter improve its carbon footprint and reduce costs.
The facility, which will bottle water and produce a variety of soft drinks, has a production capacity of 380m bottles per year.
The MEG Derby plant is part of Schwarz Produktion, and MEG is one of Germany’s leading mineral water and soft drink manufacturers.
This marks the company’s first venture in Great Britain, and by localising production, the move will simplify transport logistics and significantly reduce the distance products travel to stores.
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The plant will also provide a boost to the local economy with the creation of around 90 new jobs.
Lidl chief commercial officer Richard Bourns said: “This new venture with MEG Derby marks a significant milestone in our commitment to improving efficiency, reducing our impact on the environment and providing our customers with great quality products at the lowest possible prices.
“Bringing production of this key product closer to home makes sense and aligns with Lidl GB’s vision of contributing positively to the local community and economy.”
It comes as Lidl has become the first supermarket to roll out its own PET plastic bottle and drinks cans return scheme trial across an entire city with incentives for shoppers to reduce plastic pollution.
