The flagship project, which focuses on environmental sustainability and energy consumption, will be used as a protocol for future bottling plants and has the potential to produce 220 million liters of water during its first year.
Photovoltaic systems & LED lights
Marco Settembri, CEO, Nestlé Waters, told BeverageDaily, the ‘smart factory’ offers ‘best in class’ energy savings due to energy derived from renewable sources, the use of photovoltaic systems, LED lights, heat recovery and retention systems.
Other highlights include an ‘ultra modern PET line’, which allows the factory to have a total water consumption rate of 1.06 litres per litre of bottled water, meaning it consumes 0.06 litres of water for every litre it bottles; waste materials which are separately collected and recycled; and 100% recyclable packaging.
“The Castrocielo plant represents a proof of excellence not only in the entire Italian scenario, but at an international level thanks to its innovative technologies, which makes it Nestlé Waters’ best site in the optimization of the consumption of water per bottled liter,” he said.
To optimize travel costs, 95% of Nestlé Vera Naturae distribution will be carried out on full truck loads for direct deliveries and indirect deliveries will only cover a distance of 200km.
'Significant reduction in overall environmental impact'
The smart factory is designed to take advantage of local water sources, ‘guaranteeing a significant reduction in overall environmental impact’.
The ‘Naturae’ mineral water source, located in the heart of central Italy, joins already active water sources based in the North of Italy, San Giorgio in Bosco in the Province of Padova (‘in Bosco’ water source) and in the South of Italy, Santo Stefano Quisquina in the Province of Agrigento (‘Santa Rosalia’ water source).
"Nestlé Vera Naturae is the final step of an ambitious project for Nestlé Vera: the water source, located in Castrocielo, Lazio, has a strategic position. It represents the third vertex of the virtuous triangle that the brand has envisaged for Italy thanks to the multisourcing project," added Settembri.
The first community project the group has agreed to support is the recovery of the archeological site of Aquinum, in partnership with the University of Salento and the municipality of Castrocielo.
Aquinum was one of many towns founded in the second half of the 4th century BCE by the Volsci, a tribe that migrated south from central Italy in the 6th century BCE. Roman ruins at the site include a temple, an amphitheatre, and a triumphal arch supposed to honour the general and triumvir Mark Antony.
"Nestlé Vera is already supporting the recovery of the archeological site of Aquinum from the beginning of the current archeological excavation campaign, started in May," said Settembri.
"Since 2009, several excavations have been carried out by the University of Salento to unveil the ancient roman city, with the support of the municipality of Castrocielo. Remarkable results have already been achieved, but more artistic treasures have still to be discovered and better protected.
"Nestlé Vera support will be particularly focused on the recover of the Central Baths, which hold a symbolic value for their deep connection with water. Moreover, the objective is to enhance the strategic value of the area for the City of Castrocielo as a tourism asset."