Mark Simpson
Managing Director at Respirex
Personal Protective Solutions
Mark Simpson
Managing Director at Respirex
Respirex produces gas tight suits, chemical splash suits, and CBRN equipment for emergency responders. They also offer air-fed chemically protective suits for the petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries, and powered air and air-fed particulate suits for the nuclear and pharmaceutical sectors. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, solar power is helping companies like Respirex reduce their energy costs and mitigate the impact of rising raw material prices.
Electron Green has fully funded and designed a solar installation for each of Respirex’s 3 buildings at their sites in Redhill and Crawley, all together installing 355 panels. Each linked to a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the systems aim to generate a combined 148,000 kWh of electricity annually. Respirex's grid electricity use is expected to drop by an average of 24% across the 3 units, resulting in £15,200 savings in the first year and more than £700,000 over 25 years.
PPE manufacturing has a significant environmental impact across its lifecycle due to the energy-intensive processes involved in producing materials like plastics, rubber, and textiles. Various protocols and measures, such as the Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), promote sustainability and a retrofit like rooftop solar PV is an easy solution. Solar optimises large rooftops like these and generates carbon-neutral electricity, directly contributing to Respirex's sustainability effort.