A green revolution in the industry: Snow and “Magan Eco Energy” join forces

The Sano company implemented the innovative thermo-solar system with “Heliocol” collectors, manufactured by Magen Eco Energy, in Kibbutz Magen in the Gaza Strip. This system heats the water used to make fabric softeners using the sun. The system was designed and installed by the “Fidelity Energy Consulting” company, which specializes in thermo-solar heating for industrial processes. The system covers 800 square meters of solar collectors installed on the roof of the Sano factory, with the aim of heating the water directly and without heat exchange after it has undergone a reverse osmosis process. The investment cost is estimated at one and a half million shekels, the expected return on investment is estimated at about 3 years on average (due to costs heating the water), the project saves 68% in greenhouse gas emissions (which originate from fossil fuel burning processes from sources stationary for the production processes in the factory).

According to Yossi Zamenboda, the VP of Operations at Sano: “We are proud to be the first to implement the system of Kibbutz Magen, which, despite the events of the past year, proves that Israeli determination wins and the development and leadership of solutions for green industry continue to grow stronger. Magen Eco Energy promotes, thanks to groundbreaking pioneering, renewable energy through the Israeli sun, a green trend that is reflected in one of Sano’s leading products, the Sano Maxima fabric softener, which is found in almost every home in Israel.”

Irit Fidel, CEO of Fidelity energy consulting: “For thirty years we have been building thermo-solar systems in Israel and around the world with the collectors from Kibbutz Magen. We are grateful to Snu for the trust in the development and execution of a first and innovative project of its kind in the world where its flagship product is first of all heated by the sun. This is a resounding message of social and environmental responsibility, and I hope it will be a standard for the entire Israeli industry.” Fidelity energy consulting is a boutique company for energy optimization using Israeli technologies, which designs systems to integrate renewable energy for ongoing operational savings and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (corresponding to ESG goals). Among its clients are local authorities, business companies, hotels and more.

The “Magen Eco-Energy” factory is the world’s leader in the production of solar collectors from thermoplastic materials and has been one of the main sources of income for Kibbutz Magen in the Gaza Strip, for over 50 years. Kibbutz Magen was founded in 1949 by members of Shomer Hatzair who immigrated from Romania and is considered a high vantage point towards the settlements of the Eshkol Regional Council and the southern Gaza Strip. On Saturday morning, October 7th, the kibbutz was attacked by Hamas terrorists, but was not penetrated due to a heroic defensive battle by the kibbutz’s standby squad. On October 8th, the kibbutz moved to the Dead Sea area. As early as April 2024, over 90% of the residents returned to their homes. Despite the situation, the Magen Eco Energy plant continued to develop, innovate and produce for about two weeks after October 7th.

Sano, the leading company in the field of non-food consumer products in Israel, is committed to reducing the environmental effects of its activities and increasing the use of green energy. Sano’s project in collaboration with Magen Eco Energy was able to materialize in the last year, despite the complexity of implementing it during wartime, thanks to the mutual commitment of the two companies to continue the activity despite all the difficulties. This project is another pillar in realizing Sano’s commitment to fighting the climate crisis and protecting the environment and will have a significant impact on the use of fuels and greenhouse gas emissions in the company’s production processes.