“Being in plastics, we’re held to a higher standard,” explains Wells Performance Materials’ Supply Chain Manager Michael Spight. The 52-year-old company seized the opportunity to improve its productivity by taking advantage of matched funding through the Staffordshire Business Energy Advice Service. “None of these works would have happened without Business Energy Advice Service,” Spight said.
“The polymer industry is on mission to transform in line with the new sustainable economy” explains Wells Performance Materials’ Supply Chain Manager Michael Spight. The company established in 1984 seized the opportunity to improve its productivity by taking advantage of matched funding through the Staffordshire Business Energy Advice Service. “It was only with the assistance of the Business Energy Advice Service, which independently identified the changes needed and supported implementation through project funding, that we were able to take real and meaningful action to reduce our business carbon footprint” Michael said.
Starting as a temporary receptionist and armed with a degree in environmental science, Michael has helped manage Wells Performance Materials to become a centre of excellence for sustainable polymer development, including transitioning from oil-based to bio-based materials such as maize starch in their manufacturing process.
Starting in an entry level role within the business back in 2011 following graduating with a degree in Environmental Science from Keele University, Michael has helped support Wells PM to achieve internationally recognised environmental accreditations and become a centre of excellence for sustainable polymer development, including commercialisation of multiple projects which replace traditional oil-based to alternative bio-based materials in their manufacturing process.
One of the largest polymer formulation and manufacturing companies operating the UK, Wells has charted a comprehensive multi-year pathway toward sustainable operations that is top down, from warehouse lighting sensors to energy logging to improving factory equipment through DC to AC conversion.
As the largest independently owned polymer formulation and manufacturing company operating in the UK, Wells PM has charted a comprehensive multi-year pathway toward sustainable operations, from starting with energy data logging, to warehouse lighting upgrades and sensors, to improving factory equipment through IE4 motor upgrades and DC to AC conversion.
Energy improvements were stepped over time. LED lighting conversion in 2020 reduced CO2e by 32 tonnes. Since 2020, Wells has benefitted from a sustained 64% growth in on-site energy savings to 281.967 kWh, with an annual cost savings of £47,625. Through consistent energy management, the 24/7 manufacturer improved to reduce like-for-like energy usage on-site by more than 10% between March 2025 and March 2026.
Energy improvements were stepped over time. LED lighting conversion in 2020 reduced CO2e by 32 tonnes. Since 2020, Wells has benefitted from a sustained 64% growth in on-site energy savings to 282 kWh (78 tonnes CO2e), with significant annual cost savings. Through consistent energy management, the 24/7 manufacturer improved to reduce like-for-like energy usage on-site by 7.5% between March 2025 and March 2026.
78
tonnes of CO2e saved.
282 kWh
Sustained on-site energy savings
£47,624
Annual cost savings
