LibanJus is a leader in the Lebanese FMCG industry established by Mr. Mikhael Gharios in 1959. The company has the largest market share in the Juice, Ice-cream and flavored milk markets. It owns multiple brands which it manufactures, distributes and exports globally. The brands include Maccaw, UNO, Top Juice, Top Quick and Danway Iceberg.
The company has recently launched a new dairy factory under the brand La Bergère and currently employs more than 500 people.
DID YOU KNOW?
LibanJus’s solar plant of an annual production of 1,258 MWh is one of the biggest in industry in Lebanon?
WHAT’S THE INNOVATION?
LibanJus was the first factory in Lebanon to make use of solar energy with the initial phase of 135 kilowatt peak (KWp) executed in partnership with the UNDP and partially funded by the EU. The remaining phases were funded by LibanJus while benefiting from Green loans. As of two months ago, LibanJus has 920 KWp of solar panels installed.
LibanJus’s solar panels stretch across the factory’s roofs and cover an area of 6,000 meter squared. The factory runs of 50 percent green energy.
It took LibanJus a year of engineering to be able to override the problem of Lebanon’s electricity cuts which are not conducive to large scale solar plants.
WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND THE INNOVATION?
LibanJus had been following the development of solar energy and green energy in businesses with earnest waiting for the opportunity to come on board. As soon as it became feasible financially, they initiated the roll out of solar energy in their factory.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
From the corporate social responsibility sense, LibanJus is demonstrating its respect of the environment and its natural resources.
From the business sense, and although it was an investment, its payback is that it reduces the factory’s energy bills. They will be able to recoup the investment with the free energy they are saving.
WHO IS BENIFITTING?
Through their solar power plant, LibanJus is saving 890 tons of CO2 every year. Lebanon’s natural environment is benefitting from the reduction of harmful factory emissions typically generated by fuel.
