Asco Belgium powers ahead with solar energy to strengthen sustainability goals
Asco, a Montana Aerospace company, commissions major solar installation and earns ISO 14001 certification in its mission to drive environmental innovation and resilience.
As part of its bold commitment to environmental responsibility and energy efficiency, Asco Belgium has successfully commissioned a significant solar panel installation at its key production facilities in Zaventem. This milestone not only marks a major step forward in the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy but also showcases its long-term dedication to sustainability in the aerospace sector.
A concrete step toward a greener future
The new photovoltaic system spans over 2,274 square meters across the roofs of Asco 4, Asco 4-bis, and Asco 8. Comprising 940 solar panels, the installation delivers a peak capacity of 463.2 kWp and is projected to produce approximately 407,000 kWh annually. This represents 1.5% of Asco’s total energy consumption and around 2.5% of its electrical usage.
This investment reduces dependence on external energy sources, helps to shield operations from market volatility, and significantly lowers operating costs, all while contributing directly to global efforts to combat climate change.
“This project marks another concrete step on our path toward greater sustainability,” says Jérôme Morhet, CEO of Asco Industries. “By expanding our use of renewable energy, we are not only contributing to climate protection, but also reducing our dependence on external energy sources at our Belgian site, lowering long-term energy costs, and thereby strengthening the competitiveness and future viability of our production.”
ISO 14001 certification: a framework for environmental excellence
In parallel with the solar initiative, Asco Belgium has achieved ISO 14001 certification, the globally recognized standard for environmental management systems. This certification supports continuous improvement in environmental performance, focusing on impact reduction, resource efficiency, and operational responsibility.
Originally certified in 2023, the ISO 14001 standard will be extended across the entire Asco Group by December 2024, aligning all sites under one unified environmental framework.
Recognition through the VOKA Charter
Asco’s commitment to sustainability has also been recognized by the VOKA Charter for Sustainable Entrepreneurship, an initiative of the Flemish Chamber of Commerce. This program supports companies in embedding sustainable development goals (SDGs) into their business practices, from waste reduction and resource optimization to responsible governance and social responsibility.
“At Montana Aerospace we are fully committed to aligning our operations with the highest environmental standards while continuously investing in renewable energy and sustainable innovation across our value chain,” says Vicky Welvaert, Member of the Management Board, responsible for HR, Communication, and ESG. “With the successful implementation of several solar projects across various Montana Aerospace production sites, this new initiative further strengthens Asco Belgium’s role as a responsible and innovative partner in the aerospace industry.”
Looking ahead: expansion plans for greater impact
The recently commissioned solar system is just the beginning. Asco is already preparing for the next phase of solar expansion. Once structural roof upgrades are complete, the company will have the capacity to install an additional 6,000 solar panels, projected to generate up to 2.6 million kWh annually, a substantial leap toward energy self-sufficiency and carbon footprint reduction.
Reinforcing ESG values across the aerospace industry
These solar and certification initiatives are part of Asco’s broader strategy to drive sustainable transformation across its operations and contribute positively to the Montana Aerospace Group’s ESG goals. By proactively investing in renewable energy, achieving ISO certification, and aligning with regional sustainability frameworks, Asco demonstrates its role as a future-ready, environmentally responsible aerospace leader.
With environmental innovation as a core pillar of its business strategy, Asco continues to shape a cleaner, more resilient future for the aerospace industry, one solar panel at a time.
Learn more about our sustainability journey on our ESG page.