Elite Plastics
663.18 kWp (1,555 panels) installed in Hereford, Herefordshire
Local family business, national reach
Based in Hereford, Elite Plastics is one of the UK’s leading, family-owned extrusion companies, specialising in extrusion, printing, conversion and recycling of polythene films, bags and cover packaging products.
With thousands of customers, from some of the UK’s largest companies to medium and small businesses, across every industry from industrial, automotive and construction industries right through to retail, food and drink, Elite Plastics focuses on making the manufacture and supply of polythene solutions as sustainable as possible.
At the cutting edge
Elite Plastics is leading the way in the use of advanced polymers, backed by rigorous research and development to create innovative polythene products. Its manufacturing lines are specifically configured to incorporate recycled materials into technical products, supporting the company’s mission to develop a circular economy by recycling post-consumer waste into new blends.
In addition to its product innovation, Elite Plastics has taken major steps to improve sustainability. The company has committed to science-based targets and rolled out a range of low-carbon initiatives, including replacing old extruder lines, upgrading to LED lighting, switching from DC to AC motors, and introducing advanced energy monitoring and management systems. This commitment to sustainability was enhanced by Mypower’s installation of 256 kWp of on-site solar PV in early 2023, and contributed to Elite winning the inaugural Sustainability Initiative Award at The Plastics Industry Awards 2023.
A neat package
Elite Plastics runs all of its extruding, printing, converting, and recycling operations from a single, purpose-built 140,000+ square foot production site in Hereford. The initial solar installation was partly limited by the availability of suitable roof space, with a large section covered by an aged fibre cement roof.
Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Elite Plastic’s energy-intensive processes, and the backdrop of rising energy prices, made a strong commercial case for over cladding the old roof with new insulated metal trapezoidal sheets, creating the perfect platform for an expanded solar PV system to deliver additional carbon and cost savings.
Expanding solar capacity to drive huge savings
With the first system delivering strong results through 2023 and 2024, Mypower were invited back to install a further 407 kWp (915 panel) system. Commissioned in early 2025, the new system increased total solar generation to 615,379 kWh per annum.
Together, the systems will pay for themselves in just over three years. After that, Elite Plastics will benefit from a substantial £133,000 annual reduction in electricity costs; a critical saving that helps them stay competitive in an energy-intensive industry.
Key facts and predictions
- 663.18 kWp (1,555 panels) installed.
- 615,379 kWh units of energy produced per annum.
- £133,382 projected first year income and savings.
- 32.9% projected first year return on capital invested, before capital allowance benefits.
- 4.27p/kWh - the equivalent forward purchase price of 14 million units of electricity over 25 years including estimated operating & maintenance costs.
- 3 years - system payback before finance, tax and capital allowance and grant benefit.
- £5,417,057 - a 25-year income and savings after indexation.
- 81% saving from solar PV electricity compared to grid supplied electricity at 22p/kWh.
- 127.4 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided per annum.
“As a leading manufacturer of polythene films and bags, we’re committed to innovation and reducing waste throughout our entire supply chain. Our solar installation aligns perfectly with these objectives, allowing us to power our operations more cleanly and efficiently. It’s also good business – we’re reducing our energy costs and future-proofing our operations against potential price increases. We found Mypower to be highly attuned to our needs and a very professional and diligent partner.”
Josh Salmon, Director of Elite Plastics
“Like Mypower, Elite Plastics is a local privately run business with significant reach, committed to excellent customer service and reliably providing a high quality service. The team were a pleasure to work with and we were delighted to see them gain an industry award for the solar installation and other measures towards sustainability. It’s through working with clients, like Elite Plastics, that we can play our part in cleanly and affordably powering the industry.”
Tom Sivil, Project Manager for Mypower
