Leading distributor of speciality chemicals and ingredients, Univar Solutions, completes a multimillion-pound investment to optimise efficiency, reaffirming its commitment to safety and sustainability in the UK market.
The leading global speciality chemicals distributor holds a prominent position in the UK’s chemical sector. Collaborating at the intersection of science and technology, Univar Solutions partners with customers of all sizes to bring innovative products to market that help keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe.
Despite the combined challenges of Brexit, REACH, and Covid-19, Univar Solutions has maintained a significant presence and position in the strategically important European market. It achieved this because of its exceptionally strong customer base, global supplier networks, and high service levels. The UK, therefore, remains a key priority and leading light in Univar’s chemical distribution business across Europe.
“We are committed to the UK business,” says Steve Jones, General Manager of UKI at Univar Solutions. “Our team has shown its full dedication and unwavering work ethic to deliver on our investment timeline through incredibly challenging times,” Jones adds.
Investment enhances efficiency, reliability, and consistency
Chemical distribution consumers seek reliability first and foremost. They also expect exceptional service, transparent communication, and an expansive portfolio of high-quality products. With the current uncertain and challenging landscape as a backdrop, Univar Solutions UK launched an initiative to understand how it could better serve its customers now and in the future. After a comprehensive review, the UK organisation identified an improved strategic way of managing and running its chemical distribution.
“We want to do the best for our customers and the best for our suppliers in challenging times—our investment demonstrates a fundamental part of that goal,” details Jones.
As part of its multi-million-pound investment, Univar Solutions has upgraded and enhanced its existing infrastructure and accelerated its plans to revitalise and re-envision how it can consistently provide an exceptional service to its customers. This significant and strategic investment enables the company to develop its continued growth with production efficiencies, safety enhancements, and operational scale, all the time providing uninterrupted value to its UK customer base.
Identifying opportunities and implementing robust solutions
As a result of the review, Univar Solutions looked to replace and upgrade its existing Caustic, Sodium Hypochlorite, Sulphuric, Nitric, Acetic and Hydrochloric Acid plants. The realignment, operationally speaking, consolidated Univar Solutions UK into specialist hubs at Middlesbrough (in the Northeast) and South Kirkby (in West Yorkshire). By enhancing and upgrading these pivotal sites, Univar Solutions has increased its overall capability to deliver an exceptional chemical distribution service across the UK.
The investment saw the company implement new manufacturing and filling equipment. The increased storage capacity of their tanks and upgraded filling heads ensures they can fill more containers in a shorter timeframe and enhance the overall process with inline blending. It has improved its layout and available space for tanker movements, optimising capacity and increasing flexibility.
“The beauty of this new investment is that we can do bigger, longer production runs and fill containers quicker and more efficiently,” says Jones.
It also re-uses existing storage tanks, bunds, and equipment to segregate product grades and incoming product streams. Simultaneously the company has invested in bringing semi-automation to its UK business to maximise efficiency, investing, for example, in automated barcoding technology for its warehouse.
Securing a sustainable future
Reducing its carbon footprint is a crucial sustainable action for the chemical distributor. As a UK leader in chemical and ingredient distribution, Univar aims to reach a 20% absolute reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent (C02e) emissions by 2025 and 40% by 2030. It also strives to achieve net-zero direct emissions by 2050.
It’s clear from its investment in new operational hubs that Univar Solutions is committed to driving sustainability through increased efficiency. But it’s also committed to utilising renewable energy.
“In addition to the install of solar arrays in other parts of the EMEA region, the UK business recently switched to a renewable electricity tariff” says Phillip McEvoy, Operations Director for the UK, Ireland and Nordics.
Univar Solutions UK has also just announced the acquisition of an entirely new and upgraded fleet of trucks. It opted for extra sustainable design features across the new fleet, such as digital side mirrors to reduce drag.
“The difference in design, the better fuel efficiency and air quality these engines produce, along with more efficient sites and equipment, contributes massively to our overall sustainability goals,” McEvoy continues.
More fuel-efficient vehicles are a big part of Univar’s sustainability plans. The investment, therefore, doesn’t stop at just trucks. The company’s entire forklift truck fleet (FLT) is moving from diesel to electric, with the current first phase of integration now underway. Univar has opted for the latest lithium-ion battery technology, further reinforcing its eco-credentials.
“Our investment demonstrates that Univar recognises the need to reduce its carbon footprint as part of our sustainability programme,” says Jones.
Reaffirming safety as a top priority
Univar Solutions’ top priority and guiding principle is distributing chemicals safely. Safe transport and storage of products, safe operational practices and safe working conditions enable Univar Solutions to protect its employees, customers, suppliers, communities and the environment.
Univar Solutions’ investment has seen the company build several additional safety features into its forklift fleet. The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, for example, can identify the presence of humans and prevent driver errors, safely stopping trucks.
The new truck fleet has now been fitted with an enhanced telematics system, providing drivers with analytical insights on how safe and efficient they are driving. In addition, the new equipment in the production sites is safe and future-proofed with enhanced overflow protection, safety trips, and emergency stops.
Stronger sites, supply chains and service
Univar has further established itself as a leading company in the UK chemical industry by heavily investing in its operational efficiency so it can consistently provide exceptional service levels to its customers today and in the future. Furthermore, it has demonstrated an absolute commitment to its “serious about safety” mantra and taken substantial steps to meet its sustainable goals.
“As the UKI leading chemical distributor, we are fully committed to this business, the people and its infrastructure to ensure maximum value and excellent customer service for suppliers and customers alike,” says Jones.
“This most recent significant investment once again demonstrates our commitment as we look to ensure our assets are as safe, sustainable and efficient as they can be,” Jones concludes.
