Earlier this month, we attended the Sustainable Food Factory Conference 2025 – an event that’s rapidly becoming a must-attend for anyone in the food and drink manufacturing sector with sustainability on their agenda.
Rolling on its second year, the conference has already carved out a clear space in the industry calendar. Judging by the quality of discussion and the enthusiasm from delegates, we expect it to grow even further – with the Clegg Food Projects team looking to return in 2026.
A visible appetite for change at the Sustainable Food Factory Conference 2025
It was clear from the start that sustainability is no longer just a tick-box exercise to meet regulatory requirements. The conversations were focused on long-term strategy, cultural change, and the real benefits of designing and operating greener factories. From start-ups to well-established producers, businesses are actively looking at how they can reduce energy and water, and become more resource efficient, to slash their overall environmental footprint – and many are already making impactful changes.
Building relationships, building knowledge
The conference was a brilliant opportunity to connect with industry peers, suppliers, and clients. The Clegg Food Projects team is always keen to attend events like this to continue delivering value to our clients with the aim to incorporate sustainable practises in the design and construction of our projects, grounded in the latest thinking and proven best practice.
What stood out most?
A highlight of the day was hearing directly from food and drink manufacturers who have already taken bold steps to cut their carbon emissions and environmental impact. It was particularly insightful to learn how they are managing their Scope 1 2 & 3 emissions and proactive measures they are taking to support their supply chains in reporting and reducing environmental and carbon footprints.
The most impressive examples came from businesses that had backed up their sustainability goals with detailed data tracking and reporting systems. This approach has proven benefits for financial savings, returns on investment and detailing payback periods for business to make key decisions to implement sustainability goals.
Unsurprisingly, data emerged as one of the central themes of the Sustainable Food Factory Conference 2025 event.
Key takeaways and looking ahead
Data is key to successful implementation. The businesses seeing the benefits of reductions in carbon energy and resources were those with robust systems for monitoring and reporting. Accurate data has so far allowed them to set meaningful targets, track progress, and engage stakeholders across the business.
There are real benefits. Beyond the environmental wins, the financial gains of running a more sustainable operation were evident. From energy savings to process efficiencies, sustainability is proving to be a smart business decision.
With the growing interest and investment in sustainable practices, it’s clear that our sector is poised for change – and collaboration will be at the root of driving that transformation forward.
We left feeling energised by the progress being made and proud to be part of an industry that’s actively working towards a more sustainable future. It’s events like these that inspire us to keep pushing boundaries in factory design and construction – and to ensure our projects help clients meet both their sustainability goals and business objectives.
Ready to talk more about sustainable design and construction projects for your food or drink facility? Get in touch with our team now.