Sysco, the international foodservice company, has launched its £23 million Belfast facility, reinforcing its commitment to a greener supply chain across Ireland.

The new site, opened in September, features extensive sustainability initiatives built to BREEAM standards.

The Belfast facility includes on-site solar generation, rainwater harvesting, CO₂ refrigeration, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) pumps for vehicle fuel, and biodiversity enhancements. “At Sysco, sustainability is a core value and a business imperative,” said Mark Lee, chief executive. “From how we power our fleet to how we build our facilities, we’re making strategic, long-term decisions that support a more sustainable future for our customers, colleagues and communities.”

The 2,600 high-efficiency solar panels installed at Belfast are expected to generate 16% of the site’s annual electricity demand, building on Sysco’s Dublin facility which features 2,640 solar panels. Rainwater-harvesting systems reduce dependence on mains water, while the advanced natural refrigeration system, with a global warming potential (GWP) of just one compared to traditional systems with GWPs over 3,000, repurposes waste heat to provide underfloor heating and hot water.

As part of its decarbonisation plan, Sysco is introducing HVO fuel across its 400-vehicle fleet serving over 10,000 customers in Ireland. This year, more than 20% of the Northern Irish fleet will operate on HVO, with the aim of reaching 55% fleet coverage across Ireland by 2027. The initiative is projected to cut Scope 1 emissions by approximately 6,800 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent once fully implemented.

“The sustainability initiatives in Sysco Belfast are part of our wider commitment to reducing our own operational impact while supporting customers achieve their sustainability goals,” Lee added.

Discover how Sysco’s green investments are reshaping sustainable supply chains in Ireland in the full story.