ACEN starts RE supply to Uratex maker

MANILA, Philippines — ACEN Corp., the Ayala Group’s listed energy platform, will now supply renewable energy to the nationwide operations of the manufacturer of Uratex mattresses and foam products, which aims to achieve net zero by the end of the decade.

In a statement yesterday, ACEN said Polyfoam-RGC International Corp. renewed its deal with the energy company, this time to power the foam and mattress maker’s entire operations in the country.

The new deal marks  Polyfoam-RCG’s  first foray into renewable energy supply.

Under the new contract, ACEN said it would power Polyfoam-RGC’s manufacturing plants in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Valenzuela City, and Canlubang, Laguna with renewable energy enough to eliminate an estimated 22,750 metric tons of CO2 emissions.

The move is seen to help Polyfoam-RGC achieve its sustainability target of decreasing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent this year, and its long-term target of net zero emissions by 2030.

“We realize that even a carbon-intensive operation like ours can find means to make our business more environmentally friendly through renewable energy. We are more committed to participating in the sustainable production of our products to benefit the people and the planet,” Polyfoam-RGC managing director Peachy Cheng-Medina said.

Polyfoam-RGC’s pivot from conventional power to renewable energy will also help the company temper the impact of soaring commodity costs.

“Our contract with ACEN is effectively shielding us from market volatility that business is experiencing, and helping us achieve better profitability,” Medina said.

Polyfoam-RGC first tapped the power producer in 2017 to supply power for its two plants, and most recently, for its biggest plant in Valenzuela.

“We are privileged with the trust that our valued partners such as Uratex have placed in us. We are committed to continuously partner with them to attain our shared goals of sustainable progress spurred by the deliberate and conscious decision to go for renewable energy,” ACEN executive director and head of commercial operations Miguel de Jesus said.

“Through our retail electricity supply business, we provide ways for businesses to achieve their sustainability goals and have a head start on their renewable energy journey,” he said.

Uratex, under the RGC Group of Companies, is 100-percent Filipino owned and the country’s largest manufacturer of world-class foam, plastic and textile products for household and automotive use, among other applications.

It was established in 1968 and currently has 25 manufacturing plants and showrooms nationwide.

Most recently, the company embarked on a path to sustainability through various initiatives that aim to reduce its carbon footprint.