The output of the plant, which has two 530-kilowatt CHP units, covers the energy requirements of the biogas plant. The electricity generated is able to power both the facility itself and the sewage treatment plant, with excess energy is exported to the electricity grid. The plant has a processing capacity of 33,000 tons of organic waste from food processors and restaurants to generate around 7,500,000 kilowatt hours of energy per year. Accepted waste includes fats, oils, brewery and
dairy residues, fruit and vegetables which are fed into the stainless steel containers. The plant has already won prestigious awards for its technology: These include the Premier‘s Sustainability Award for leading innovation and practice in Victoria and the Banksia Award for Leading in Circular Economy.

At the start of the maintenance work, the tanks will first be completely emptied. In addition, the roofs of the two 3,573 cubic meter stainless steel fermenters and internal plant components such as the agitator technology will be replaced. The plant will then be commissioned and operational management will be secured. The digester contents will be temporarily stored in the storage tank and material can be filled back into the tanks after the refurbishment so the plant can be up and running quickly. This saves resources and costs. In addition, it is easier to restart the biological process when the fermented material is immediately available. Last but not least, the processes also comply with occupational safety requirements, which are a high priority in Australia – especially when emptying and filling the tanks. WELTEC will also provide on-site staff training. “WELTEC BIOPOWER has been a valued partner in our successful journey with our Wollert Facility. We value their commitment to safety and quality and have leveraged their expertise in mechanical and biological consulting over the lifespan of our facility,” emphasizes Stephanie Salinas, manager waste to Energy Services at YVW. “WELTEC can look back on extensive experience with such complex refurbishment projects. We are delighted that we have been able to enjoy the trust of our customers over such a long period of time,” says Vladimir Bogatov, area sales manager Asia Pacific at WELTEC BIOPOWER.

With more than 400 biogas plants planned and built worldwide and a strong service department, WELTEC has the necessary level of expertise for such modernizations. This experience is also valued Down Under to ensure that the plant operation remains flexible and continues to live up to its reputation as one of Australia‘s most innovative biogas projects in the future.

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AHDB takes a science-based approach to communicate accurate and transparent information about the nutritional benefits of red meat and dairy. Let’s Eat Balanced is proudly built on the foundation of the Eat Well Guide, which encourages a varied, healthy and sustainable diet.

The previous burst of the campaign, in January 2024, positively shifted consumer perceptions on meat and dairy’s nutritional benefits. With a six per cent and four per cent rise, respectively in consumers agreeing that meat and dairy are a natural source of vitamin B12 (February 2024 compared with August 2023, Source: TwoEarsOneMouth Campaign Evaluation).

In a further positive result, the Autumn 2023 and New Year 2024 campaigns reached 47 million adults and generated 94 million social media impressions. Seven out of ten consumers who saw the This & That TV advert said it provided them with new information about meat and dairy, which they felt empowered them to defend their dietary choices(Source: TwoEarsOneMouth Campaign Evaluation). One consumer commented that the advert is “very entertaining, motivating, and informative. I like that it is so upbeat and positive about meat and dairy.”

People will see the This & That adverts online on YouTube, broadcast streaming services including ITVX, Channel 4, Sky Go, Disney+, and on social media – Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. A partnership with Tasty UK to create ‘Balanced Bites’ videos will encourage the Gen Z (18-25 years) audience to create healthy dishes using British red meat and dairy. The campaign will feature in stores and online at five major retailers.

Carrie McDermid, AHDB head of domestic marketing, says, “We are pleased that the January Let’s Eat Balanced campaign performed so well. It successfully highlighted the important roles our farmers play in providing high-quality produce and their dedication to environmentally friendlier practices. We are proud to be back championing British meat and dairy on behalf of our levy payers. This September campaign features a number of farmers on social media showcasing their resilience and tireless dedication to producing the food we eat.”

Silas Hedley-Lawrence, a farmer from Oxford, says, “The Let’s Eat Balanced campaign, funded by our levy, educates consumers about the importance of red meat and dairy in a balanced diet, using evidence-based research. It promotes our positive farming practices and showcases the high quality of British produce. It helps us tell our stories and reach more consumers. As a farmer, I am proud to play my part.”

For more information about AHDB’s Let’s Eat Balanced campaign, and the vibrant ‘This & That’ advertisements, please visit ahdb.org.uk/letseatbalanced

The post Let’s Eat Balanced campaign returns from AHDB appeared first on Dairy Industries International.

Ideas keep coming in the sector. As a recent review in the Journal of Dairy Science showed, new nutrition strategies could reduce methane emissions by around 60 per cent in the coming years, via feed additives.1 This trend has been the subject of much discussion in the dairy seminar world, with dsm-firmenich’s Bovaer one of several products available for farmers globally now.

This is just the latest in a long line of processes to minimise dairy emissions. On processing sites, items such as solar panels and anaerobic digesters are becoming more common. It makes sense from a business perspective as well, according to Wyke Farms, which sources 100 per cent of its energy from renewable sources, including offsetting. It also filters and reuses its wastewater, and also has a Sustainable Energy Visitor Centre at its site in Somerset to tell visitors about its green journey.

Meanwhile, everyone can help, no matter the size of their space. As members of our local vegetable growing spaces, we have moved towards more wildlife friendly growing (although sometimes the foxes and slugs seem to think we grow things for them rather than for us), and the results has been, more frogs. Gone are the slug pellets and other chemical means, and I have installed a tiny pond on my plot. Pictured above is a long-standing occupant who I met the other day. I hope he and his friends enjoy the slugs.

1. https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(24)00910-X/fulltext)

The post Sustainability and us appeared first on Dairy Industries International.

The study, carried out by the New Zealand Exchange (NZX) and based on project data provided by Fonterra® and Levno®, also found a 62% reduction in milk reaching critical scores and a 45% drop in insurance claims – highly contributed to by the 85% lower likelihood to claim insurance for refrigeration, agitation, or power related failures – by adapting the technology.

The technology could bring about the same improvements in the UK, dairy experts claim.

The rollout of MVM was launched by Fonterra in part to drive up milk quality, along with other on-farm and transport related benefits, and the study was supported by Fonterra to help quantify the improvement in milk quality.

Fonterra is a New Zealand dairy Co-operative owned by thousands of dairy farmers. The study involved introducing monitoring telemetry to the milk vats or tanks of Fonterra’s farmer owners and comparing the data, from a subset of almost 1200 farms, to the year prior to the technology being introduced.

The most popular MVM platforms used in the study were Levno’s Trim and Full Cream solutions, with the latter providing a 24-7-365 escalated human response service. This alerts farmers to potential problems with their milk within 10 minutes of detection and continues to monitor the data until the situation is resolved.

The study data was independently analysed by New Zealand Exchange (NZX).

It revealed that Levno’s Full Cream product reduced total bacteria counts by 69% compared to storing milk without MVM technology. Coliforms were down 42% as a result of installing MVM technology and insurance claims dropped by 45% in total.

Milk temperature was on average 12% lower using Full Cream, with 19% fewer collections made above 12^oC and almost none above 14^oC.

Milk quality was also assessed against Fonterra’s Milk Quality Index (MQI) which uses multiple data points to plot the degradation of the milk.

The measure is used to plan logistics and downstream processing of the milk, and to drive efficiencies in collection.

The study found that by implementing Levno’s Full Cream, farms achieved 22% fewer medium MQI scores, 26% fewer high MQI scores, and 62% fewer critical MQI scores.

According to NZX, the average value of ‘milk saved’ as a result of implementing MVM technology equated to NZD$12,863 per farm.

The objective of the study was to confirm that the introduction of MVM, technology, and Levno’s Full Cream solution, would drive material and sustainable improvements in milk quality.

Results found that after analysing the data provided, it is clear that the introduction of MVM technology improved the on-farm milk storage process and reduced the risk of degraded milk being supplied to Fonterra.

Multiple measures helped to corroborate this outcome – from the MQI measure during storage, milk temperatures at the time of collection, bacteria and coliform results, and the number of insurance claims by farmers. Importantly, there was also a significant reduction in the upper quartile of those measures with fewer outliers.

Additionally, the Full Cream solution further improves the quality of milk stored on farm and reduces the amount that may require disposal due to poor storage practices. The advance in technology has changed the way on-farm raw milk is monitored, and therefore protected.

The end result is better quality milk with significantly fewer instances of milk being registered as ‘critical’ on Fonterra’s MQI score.

James McCreery, national planning & dispatch manager at Fonterra, said: “We are providing tools to our farmer owners to continue to help them be the best dairy farmers in the world, and Levno is a tool for them to ensure they are supplying the best quality milk possible.”

He added one of the greatest strengths of Fonterra’s partnership with Levno has been the people.

“They brought in a lot of experience working with New Zealand farmers,” James said.

“They also have got the 24/7 support team. The people at Levno make a big difference.”

Matt Lynch, Levno’s country manager for UK and Ireland, said the study demonstrated how Full Cream brought major financial benefits to Fonterra’s farm suppliers.

For example, Levno’s Full Cream has saved almost 2.3 million litres across Fonterra farms during the latest 2023-24 milking season, averaging 6,800 litres per farm.

He said: “Full Cream helped the farmers who took part in the study produce higher quality milk and avoid the significant revenue loss associated with milk degradation and wastage.

“It also helped them avoid costly incidents where milk was not fit for collection and where an insurance claim was required for the loss. With each claim attracting an average excess of $500, that’s a huge saving.

“With dairy farmers in the UK facing a reduction in support payments, technologies like MVM offer new ways to bring efficiencies to dairy enterprises which will help drive the long-term sustainability of the industry.

“The ability to monitor milk quality in real time and resolve issues quickly means less degradation, less wastage and ultimately, a better return for producers.”

To read the full detail and explanation of findings click here.

The post Milk Monitoring ‘key to driving quality and efficiency’, study finds appeared first on Dairy Industries International.

Essential groceries such as bread, vegetables and fruit were listed as the most likely items to end up in the bin, as people admitted to struggling to eat food before it goes out of date. Fruit and vegetables for example, were top of the throwing away list, adding up to £5.24 week, or £272.48 per year, and discarded more than once a week. Bread also saw high throw out rates of once a week, or £1.40 a week.

Three out of the top ten items were dairy. Makes sense as most people have some dairy in their fridges. Milk was thrown out 47 times a year on average, every 10 days, for a total of £0.65 per week or £33.80 per year. Yogurt was binned about 41 times a year, or every 12-14 days, and cheese was chucked every two to three weeks, at a cost of £2.08 per week.

The survey did say that Brits are better at using up milk, with the majority throwing this fridge staple out less than once a month, while a third (36%) said they never throw it away at all. No, we go through every drop here at our house.

Commenting on the findings, Sarah Heap, food storage expert at AO.com, said:

“In the wake of the cost-of-living crisis, the findings that Brits are binning the equivalent of a month’s worth of food every year is really shocking – especially when this figure equates to more than the average UK salary in a person’s lifetime.

“However, our study found that many of the essential food items that are ending up in the bin could actually be saved. Technology has its role to play in helping us to live more sustainably, and it’s important people make the most of the way they store foods to prolong shelf life. All the items listed in our survey can be frozen, if prepared in the right way first.”

In light of the findings, AO.com have partnered with influencer Kate Hall, known as The Full Freezer, to help Brits make the most of food storage options and reduce waste in their households.

To access the free expert advice and hacks, visit the AO.com website.

The post Reducing food waste is vital appeared first on Dairy Industries International.

With water shortage fears growing across the UK, companies are re-examining their production processes with a view to reduce the waste of this valuable global resource.

“Without a rapid, effective treatment option, liquid effluent can become a costly issue to tackle.” Says Jamie George, projects & business development director at Axium Process.

While effluent composition varies with the industry, it is usually composed of microplastics, fats, oils, grease and many other unsavoury particulates. Membrane filtration is able to selectively separate these suspended solids, leaving behind high-quality water that is immediately available for reuse in upstream or downstream processes.

Eliminating the need for damaging chemical flocculants, membrane filtration reduces the risk of damage to our rivers and waterways and could potentially reveal the presence of valuable materials that would otherwise be destroyed using alternative methods.

Jamie George states “Initial pilot trials on the feed material are carried out, either at our Swansea test facility, or at the manufacturer’s premises. These are instrumental in how we identify and adjust process parameters for optimal filtration results.”

Able to provide a reliable, cost-effective solution to reducing discharge volumes with the potential to recovering up to 90% of wastewater, membrane filtration is a tried-and-true solution for water recovery needs. Plants can be constructed in a variety of set-ups, from containerised units to small, compact systems that can be moved to other areas as needed and can also be designed with future expansion in mind.

Axium’s extensive expertise allows for the design and manufacture of crossflow membrane filtration solutions tailored for diverse applications, all while adhering to international regulations and maintaining the highest of hygienic standards.

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This year’s report highlights the initiatives and improvements introduced in 2023 to reinforce responsible practices.

Key advances and outlook for the future in Lactalis Ingredients CSR action plan

With regard to environmental protection: Lactalis Ingredients achieved its goal of 100 % of European
sites being ISO 14001 certified a year ahead of schedule, and continues to contribute to the Group’s
greenhouse gas reduction targets for scopes 1&2:

• – 25 % by 2025
• – 50 % by 2033.

The division reduced its greenhouse gas emissions for scopes 1 & 2 by 10.6 % compared with 2022,
and by 17.3 % compared with the baseline of 2019. New projects are planned to further reduce our
emissions:

• At the Parme and Bozzolo sites in Italy, solar electricity production projects are in progress.
  At Bozzolo, the installation of 5 300 m2 of solar panels will produce 700 MWh per year,
  accounting for 5 % of the site’s consumption.
• At the Mayenne site in France, a biomass steam production unit is to be built. Due to be
  operational in January 2025, this boiler will cover 83 % of the energy needs of the site, thus
  reducing fossil fuel CO2 emissions by nearly 25 000 tons.

With regard to food safety: 93 % of the company’s factories are FSSC 22000 certified. This figure will rise to 100 % as we move nearer to 2025. In 2023, in the interests of promoting better nutrition for all, Lactalis Ingredients launched a full blown analysis of all its products to test their nutritional energy
values. This is to meet the demand for transparency of the end consumer by providing clearer information to our direct customers.

With regard to our responsibility towards our employees: aware of a margin for improvement in
terms of safety, Lactalis Ingredients had set itself a target of halving the work accident frequency rate
by 2024. This target was attained in 2023. Lactalis Ingredients is therefore setting a new target of
halving the work accidents frequency rate again by 2026.

The Lactalis Ingredients CSR action plan is an integral part of the Group CSR strategy. And the Group CSR strategy is an integral part of the strategy for profitable and responsible company growth. On the occasion of the Group’s 90th anniversary, Lactalis revealed its current purpose in action: “Nurture the future”. By adopting this purpose in action, Lactalis clarifies the role it wants to play in the world. The company has chosen to nurture a responsible future by pledging to provide the best dairy products possible to support each and everyone’s growth, in partnership with local territories.

For Lactalis, the specific characteristics of dairy products make them part of the solution for sustainable nutrition. Lactalis is thus working to reduce its impact on the environment and the climate across its value chain. The development of women and men and the communities and territories where the
Group operates is also essential to the long-term viability of the business. As global leader and an expert in the field, Lactalis has a clear responsibility to nurture the future.

In 2022, the Group signed a letter of commitment in order to align its gas emissions reduction trajectory with the recommendations of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The Group has set objectives for scopes 1&2. These interim targets will enable Lactalis to progress towards the ultimate goal of zero net emissions. As a company operating in the dairy sector the Group is aware that, beyond the emissions related to its own activities (scopes 1 and 2), it equally needs to take action on the emissions induced by its activities, both upstream and downstream of its value chain. That is why in 2023 Lactalis set about defining intermediate commitments for scope 3. Lactalis now plans to submit all its targets (scopes 1, 2 and 3) to the SBTi for review and validation in 2024.

The post Lactalis Ingredients releases 2023 CSR report appeared first on Dairy Industries International.

Müller UK & Ireland is inviting applications for the third cohort of its Next Generation initiative as the business continues to drive supply chain resilience and reduce carbon emissions.

Müller Next Generation, first launched in 2018, is a three-year programme for Müller farmers between the ages of 25-40, which aims to develop and enhance the skills of 25 ambitious young farmers, helping to provide them with the foundations to build sustainable and profitable dairy businesses.

It provides Müller dairy farmers with tools and support to help further improve supply chain collaboration, animal welfare, responsible sourcing and reductions in environmental impact.

The initiative forms part of Müller’s overall Sustainability Action Plan, driving progress against its goals to reduce emissions on supplying farms by 30% by 2030.

Müller Next Generation includes tailored workshops, farm visits, keynote speakers, and visits to Müller sites. Focus areas include the environment and sustainability, leadership and delegation, market analysis, succession planning, marketing, communication and business improvement planning.

The group will meet three times per year, enabling the farmers to share best practice and knowledge. Applications close 26 July 2024, with the first meeting taking place in the autumn.

Richard Collins, head of agriculture at Müller Milk & Ingredients said:

“As we work to create a better future for the dairy sector, we need to continue to tackle carbon emissions, secure the next generation of talent and drive supply chain resilience.

“Through our Müller Advantage programme we incentivise farmers to tackle the issues which we know are important for our customers and consumers and the Next Generation initiative is further evidence of the action we’re taking to make a difference.

“We know from the first two cohorts that there are a number of dairy farmers in the UK who have a great talent and passion for the industry, and we’re excited to welcome applications for the next round of future elite dairy farmers.”

Jolyon Bennett, one of the current cohort of Next Generation farmers, said: “With the pressures faced by farmers over the last 12-18 months, I don’t think I could have survived without the resources available to me as part of the Next Generation programme. The connections I’ve made and the detail I’ve learned, particularly the financial side, have been invaluable.”

Another of the current participants, Matthew Davies, said: “The programme has taught me so much. It’s been a real eye-opener to see new faces and learn new ideas and perspectives from around the country, discovering the different ways we all work to achieve the same common goal.

“It’s also been a real morale-booster for me. Getting away from my own farm to visit others, and coming back with a brand-new take on things. I’d encourage anyone thinking about taking part to just go ahead and get an application in.”

Young Müller farmers who meet the criteria and are interested in applying can do so by contacting their farm supply manager.

The post Müller relaunches Next Generation initiative appeared first on Dairy Industries International.

Following their partnership announcement in November 2023, FoodChain ID and ReSeed have sought to increase transparency in the measurement and verification of regenerative agriculture practices for the agri-food supply chain. With a carbon credit verification standard at the center of the collaboration, ReSeed and FoodChain ID incentivize, measure and verify the progress of carbon sequestration and storage through regenerative agriculture practices.

Dr. Ruud Overbeek, senior vice president for Corporate Development and Strategic Relationships at FoodChain ID explains: “Our partnership with ReSeed has recently shown successful verification of conservation at the farm level to combat Amazon deforestation. This demonstrates that practices of sustainable farming can not only be measured, but also incentivized. Carbon credit accessibility is providing tangible benefits to farmers, who require financial support to invest in sustainable farming practices.”

The new ReSeed Soil Carbon Methodology embraces the latest scientific innovations for soil organic carbon stock measurement at scale. According to Vasco van Roosmalen, CEO at ReSeed, “The application of the Methodology will be made possible through ReSeed’s Digital Climate Impact Platform and the results will be validated and verified by FoodChain ID to ensure scientific rigor, consistency and transparency in project quantification methods, while also accommodating implementation across diverse geographies and farm operations.” The Methodology is benchmarked against legacy carbon methodologies like VERRA’s VM0042. Soil carbon projects will undergo annual independent verification by FoodChain ID.

The ReSeed Soil Carbon Methodology offers unique benefits to farmers and addresses greenhouse gas emissions by promoting soil health as a fundamental principle. Unlike many existing methodologies on the market, the ReSeed Soil Carbon methodology does not exclude farmers based on farm size or location. Emily Urban Cordeiro, PhD, sustainability technical director at FoodChain ID and soil expert comments, “In partnership with ReSeed, we are leading carbon market innovation by recognizing the importance of farming systems. The partnership recognizes and rewards farmers for their existing carbon assets, whether in soils or trees, as well as their ongoing achievements in sequestration.”

The post Foodchain ID and Reseed announce new soil carbon methodology that rewards farmers appeared first on Dairy Industries International.

Müller UK & Ireland is inviting applications for the third cohort of its Next Generation initiative as the business continues to drive supply chain resilience and reduce carbon emissions.

Müller Next Generation, first launched in 2018, is a three-year programme for Müller farmers between the ages of 25-40, which aims to develop and enhance the skills of 25 ambitious young farmers, helping to provide them with the foundations to build sustainable and profitable dairy businesses.

It provides Müller dairy farmers with tools and support to help further improve supply chain collaboration, animal welfare, responsible sourcing and reductions in environmental impact.

The initiative forms part of Müller’s overall Sustainability Action Plan, driving progress against its goals to reduce emissions on supplying farms by 30% by 2030.

Müller Next Generation includes tailored workshops, farm visits, keynote speakers, and visits to Müller sites. Focus areas include the environment and sustainability, leadership and delegation, market analysis, succession planning, marketing, communication and business improvement planning.

The group will meet three times per year, enabling the farmers to share best practice and knowledge. Applications close 26 July 2024, with the first meeting taking place in the autumn.

Richard Collins, Head of Agriculture at Müller Milk & Ingredients said:

“As we work to create a better future for the dairy sector, we need to continue to tackle carbon emissions, secure the next generation of talent and drive supply chain resilience.

“Through our Müller Advantage programme we incentivise farmers to tackle the issues which we know are important for our customers and consumers and the Next Generation initiative is further evidence of the action we’re taking to make a difference.

“We know from the first two cohorts that there are a number of dairy farmers in the UK who have a great talent and passion for the industry, and we’re excited to welcome applications for the next round of future elite dairy farmers.”

Jolyon Bennett, one of the current cohort of Next Generation farmers, said: “With the pressures faced by farmers over the last 12-18 months, I don’t think I could have survived without the resources available to me as part of the Next Generation programme. The connections I’ve made and the detail I’ve learned, particularly the financial side, have been invaluable.”

Another of the current participants, Matthew Davies, said: “The programme has taught me so much. It’s been a real eye-opener to see new faces and learn new ideas and perspectives from around the country, discovering the different ways we all work to achieve the same common goal.

“It’s also been a real morale-booster for me. Getting away from my own farm to visit others, and coming back with a brand-new take on things. I’d encourage anyone thinking about taking part to just go ahead and get an application in.”

Young Müller farmers who meet the criteria and are interested in applying can do so by contacting their farm supply manager.

The post Müller targets supply chain resilience and emissions reductions through relaunched Next Generation initiative appeared first on Dairy Industries International.

The CartoCan is 100% recyclable, reduces plastic waste and offers a convenient alternative to its 500ml glass bottle format.

Ideal for channels including convenience stores, wholesale, travel, food service, and hospitality establishments such as grocery stores, museums, public houses, colleges, air travel, trains. 

The Cartocan also provides a safer and more practical alternative option for stadium events and child-focused locations.

235ml is the perfect size for lunch boxes, vending machines and meal deals. It is also school-compliant with less than 5% sugar and has no artificial sweeteners, flavourings, colours or preservatives.

According to Circana data the UK’s flavoured milk category in the UK is worth estimated £628 million annually*, and Delamere is a big contributor to this, selling upwards of 20,000,000 units per year, which until now has only been available in 500ml and 240ml glass bottles.

Sales in convenience grew by 13% in the 52 weeks to October 2023, contributing 44% of total category sales.

The CartoCan can be stored at ambient temperatures and is best enjoyed chilled. It offers all the goodness and nutrients of normal milk and is a great source of protein, calcium and vitamin D and is available in its two best-selling flavours – Strawberry and Chocolate with Banana to follow in 2025.

Steven O’Connor, Senior Business Growth Manager at Delamere, commented, “Wehave long-since wanted to offer a different packaging option to our customers, and the CartoCan is perfect for reducing plastic waste and opens up new channels for distribution with an alternative to glass featuring our best-selling flavours. It will appeal to all ages and specifically children with its quality taste and high nutritional values.

“It is lightweight, has a slim, contemporary design to maximise shelf space, convenient, and fully recyclable with no compromise on the taste and quality that our loyal customer base has come to expect. The 235ml CartoCan delivers the same great flavour that has driven Delamere Flavoured Milk to the forefront of the flavoured milk sector.”

The post Delamere unveils new packaging for its Flavoured Milk appeared first on Dairy Industries International.

From 2030 farmers will have to pay 120 Danish krone (€16) per ton of emitted CO2 equivalent, rising to 300 krone (€40) from 2035 onwards. The climate tax on agriculture will be 300 DKK (€40) per ton of CO2e in 2030, increasing to 750 DKK (€100) by 2035. A basic deduction (tax break) of 60% will be applied to the average emissions from different types of livestock, providing an economic advantage to climate-efficient farmers, she notes. After the deduction (tax break), the effective cost will be 120 DKK (€16) per ton of CO2 e in 2030, and 300 DKK (€40) in 2035.

Revenues from the tax will be channelled back to the sector and reinvested into green initiatives, climate technology, and production transformation, targeting the agricultural sectors facing the most difficulty transitioning. There is a consensus that the Danish government should work at the EU level to ensure collective regulation of agricultural emissions through an emissions trading system for agriculture (ETS). The national tax in Denmark will eventually align with such a system, she notes.

In addition to the CO2 tax introduction, the agreement includes funding for the establishment of more forests in Denmark, and increased peatland restoration to ensure clean drinking water, with a clear ambition to comply with the EU Water Framework Directive.

Additionally, about DKK40 billion (€5.4 billion) will be allocated to a new fund called The Green Landscape Fund. This will support the creation of 250,000 hectares of new forests, the restoration of 140,000 hectares of peatlands, further land conversion, and strategic land purchases focused on nitrogen reduction.

The partners expect that converting more agricultural land to forests will enable two-thirds of Danish waters to meet the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) goals by 2027, with efforts for the remaining waters initiated “with a clearly defined path” towards fulfilling the WFD and achieving good ecological status by 2030, Bruton adds.

The government will work to allocate DKK 9.4 billion (€1.2 billion) for restoring 70,000 hectares of carbon-rich peatlands. To encourage farmers to give up their peatlands, a CO2e tax on emissions from carbon-rich peatlands of DKK40 (€5.36) per ton will be introduced starting in 2028. This tax will only apply to farmers who do not wish to participate in the peatland restoration.

Denmark is a significant exporter of pork and dairy. The five associations are now urging lawmakers to approve the deal, which should be reviewed and adopted after the summer holidays.

The post Denmark to carbon tax agriculture from 2030 appeared first on Dairy Industries International.

With the new, environmentally friendly packaging, Epiros achieves a 15% reduction in plastic. At the same time, the new packaging of feta and white cheeses in brine 400g have a new optimised shape, which ensures the reduction of discarded brine by 34% and atmospheric pollutants by 3.6%, compared to the previous packaging of the products*.

The main pillars of the ESG strategy that Epiros SA has set for the next five years, include the drastic limitation of waste and plastic use, as well as the reduction of carbon emissions and water consumption. The company’s objective is to contribute in tackling the climate crisis, as well as in the improvement of the quality of every person’s life.

The director of Epiros Production Units, Nikos Tsiliberdis, commented: “In Epiros we have now entered a new era where the main concern is the production of top quality & taste cheese products, with as little impact on the environment as possible. We know we still have lots to do. We are moving forward, step by step, towards the goal of zero carbon footprint.”

*It is noted that the above calculations have been based on an LCA study, according to the ISO 14040:2006 and ISO14044:2006 standards, and specifically for the scenario of the EPIROS FETA PDO 400 g packaging.

The post Epiros reduces plastic and waste brine in new packaging design appeared first on Dairy Industries International.

The installation of the photovoltaic panels, which use heat-safe photovoltaic technology, marks an important contribution to the use of renewable energy sources for operations. With a total installed capacity of 811 kilowatt peak (KWp), nearly 50 % of the power needs of all GEA-owned properties in India are covered by solar energy.

Johannes Giloth, chief operating officer (COO) of GEA, said, “Fostering solar power at our Bengaluru and Vadodara sites is a significant step forward in our global sustainability strategy, enhancing our operational efficiency. This initiative reinforces our commitment to reducing carbon emissions and showcases GEA’s dedication to being a leader in eco-friendly manufacturing practices.”

Commitment to safety and holistic sustainable practices

Safety has been paramount throughout the implementation of GEA’s solar power project. Solar panels with back glass and special features have been used to mitigate risks such as overheating and power surges, ensure optimal performance and protect against potential hazards such as fire incidents. Moreover, all installations at both sites comply with global safety standards, demonstrating GEA’s commitment to industry-leading safety protocols and sustainable initiatives.

In addition to solar power, GEA has implemented several other sustainable projects at its Indian sites, including the installation of LED lighting, wastewater recycling, waterless toilets, and the promotion of electric and hybrid vehicles across its supply chain. These efforts underscore GEA’s determination to advance sustainable practices.

Suvneet Jain, Country Managing Director of GEA in India, added, “By investing in photovoltaic installations at all viable locations in the Vadodara and Bengaluru units, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also setting an example for the industry in India. Harnessing solar energy reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship and creating a sustainable future for generations to come.”

About GEA’s sites in Bengaluru and Vadodara

GEA’s Bengaluru site specializes in manufacturing equipment for the Separation and Flow Technologies division. The multi-purpose complex in Bengaluru covers an area of 38,200 square meters and includes production areas and a service and training center for the business unit Separation. Approximately 200 workers are employed in Bengaluru, and more than 50 percent of the products are exported.

GEA’s office and production site in Vadodara is staffed by a total of 700 employees and focuses on the technologies from GEA’s divisions Liquid & Powder, Food & Healthcare, and Heating & Refrigeration Technologies. Over 50 percent of the products are exported to other countries in Asia. Covering a manufacturing complex spanning over 40,700 square meters, a site improvement program since 2018 has already enhanced sustainable practices. In 2021, the first photovoltaic systems were installed to generate energy for the office areas. Today, all GEA-owned properties in India use solar energy.

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Tom Martin, Lloyds Banking Group’s Ambassador for the East of England and Business Platform Lead for Economic Crime Prevention, said: “The ‘Finance in the Field: Investing in the Agricultural Transition’ event was planned to convene experts from finance, farming and research to explore intersections between the sectors.”

The event, part of Cambridge Judge Business School’s ESG week, aimed to create a deeper understanding of how sustainable finance can drive positive change in agriculture, reflecting the school’s commitment to further integrate ESG into its Executive MBA programme.

“The major priorities ESG investors are concerned with are environmental issues linked to carbon emissions, biodiversity, and land/water management. This presents an opportunity for UK farmers as they can prove an ESG benefit where they are boosting production and profitability through sustainable practices,” explained Mr Martin.

As the largest lender to British agriculture, Lloyds Banking Group is at the forefront of sustainable finance initiatives and providing practical support for UK farmers.

Mr Martin said: “ESG investment can often seem far removed from farmers’ day-to-day realities. Our role is to advocate for farmers in this transition and make ESG tangible from their perspective, not just in institutional terms.

“We want to bridge the gap, framing ESG not as taking land out of food production, but rather as enhancing productivity, food production, and profitability.”

Ben Makowiecki, Agriculture Sustainability Director at Lloyds Banking Group, added: “There is a lack of clear and trustworthy information about ESG options because these concepts are relatively new and non-regulated, which is currently a barrier.”

“For ESG investment to be practical, the approach needs to be tailored to suit different farm business models, this is where Lloyds is working to expand its support and lending options.

“Investment options include our Clean Growth Financing Initiative (CGFI), which offers fee-free lending for farm businesses to implement sustainable projects and purchases that reduce their impact across water, waste, energy, and carbon/greenhouse gas emissions,” explained Mr Makowiecki.

Practical examples of ESG investment shared by Lloyds Banking Group included supporting the Soil Association Exchange (SAX) programme to help farmers transition to greater sustainability.

“This programme provides on-farm consultancy, which we are funding for 1,000 customers to help farmers access funding mechanisms for introducing sustainable practices, addressing six key areas including carbon, soil health and biodiversity,” Mr Makowiecki said.

The panel included Helen Avery, Director of Nature Programmes at Green Finance Institute, and Calum Murray, Head of Agriculture and Food at Innovate UK, who discussed the broader landscape of nature markets and the role of agri-tech innovations in improving productivity.

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A new offer within Tetra Pak’s broader sustainability portfolio, the ‘Factory Sustainable Solutions’ business offers Food and Beverage (F&B) producers a tailored blend of state-of-the-art technologies and leading plant integration capabilities. It seeks to support F&B producers in optimising energy and resource consumption, an important step in helping customers meet their sustainability ambitions and reduce operational costs.

Traditionally reliant on fossil fuels and energy-intensive processes,[1] F&B producers are under increasing pressure to optimise resources and increase energy generation from renewable sources. This comes amidst rising operational expenses, including the cost of raw materials, as well as new CO2 taxes and fees for wasted water. Finding solutions to these challenges will be key, with businesses looking to their supply chains and manufacturing processes to help achieve cost savings[2].

Complementing its resource-efficient equipment and services portfolio, Tetra Pak’s ‘Factory Sustainable Solutions’ embodies a systematic, factory-wide approach. Solutions can be integrated at any stage to recover and reduce the consumption of resources, such as energy, water and chemicals. Optimised resource consumption reduces long-term operational costs[3] and related greenhouse gas emissions[4], whilst supporting compliance against ever-tightening sustainability standards.

The Tetra Pak Factory Sustainable Solutions team will support customers by finding the right technologies and integration solutions for their needs, advising them on the best practice set-up for their line or facility. This results in a tailored pipes and installation diagram that optimises water, energy and CIP according to the specific needs of the customer’s operations.

The ‘Factory Sustainable Solutions’ offering boosts state-of-the-art technologies, such as:

• Nanofiltration, which reclaims caustic cleaning liquid used for CIP. This solution developed by Tetra Pak allows for the recovery of clean detergent chemicals and water for future re-use, enabling up to 90% recovery of the total spent CIP liquid[5].
• Reverse Osmosis, uses proprietary membrane filtration technology developed by Tetra Pak to improve resource efficiency across multiple applications, including milk separation and water re-use.

Tetra Pak is also collaborating with innovative technology partners to offer additional solutions, including:

• HighLift heat pump technology, in collaboration with Olvondo Technology A/S, which can be integrated into operations to facilitate the reuse of waste heat to produce steam across plant equipment, including the Tetra Pak Direct UHT unit, at  pressures up to 10 bar. 

• High temperature heat pumps, in collaboration with Johnson Controls, which up-cycles process waste heat to use elsewhere in the factory.
• Solar thermal collectors, in collaboration with Absolicon, which utilise the sun as an unlimited source of clean and renewable energy, to power the delivery of hot water and steam – at temperatures above 150°C – making it suitable for UHT applications.

Stefano Vittor, CEO at Olvondo Technology A/S, says “By incorporating our HighLift heat pump technology into its Factory Sustainable Solutions business, Tetra Pak is offering an impactful solution to reduce carbon emissions across the food and beverage industry. We’re delighted to be part of this collaboration and to play a role in the change that Tetra Pak is driving.”

Fredrik Norrbom, director, Sweden at Johnson Controls System and Service AB added: “Approximately two-thirds of industrial energy use is driven by heat demand, derived largely from fossil fuels[6]. Heat pumps are vital for increasing energy efficiency and delivering net zero heating when combined with renewable electricity. We are proud to collaborate with Tetra Pak on smart building solutions that can help customers achieve sustainability targets while also helping industry make critical progress on emissions reduction.”

Nicole Uvenbeck, director Factory Sustainable Solutions and OEM Components at Tetra Pak says: “This launch is an incredibly exciting and significant milestone for us at Tetra Pak – especially our team who have been working hard to push the boundaries of the impact and value such an approach can bring for our customers.

To date, we have mainly focused on machine and line optimisation, and we came to realise the overwhelming benefit of replicating this at a factory level, providing a more holistic approach to optimisation. Factory Sustainable Solutions is an evolution of our expertise, spanning water, energy and CIP recovery. All of this combined will redefine how we support our customers in achieving their sustainability ambitions, while reducing their operational costs.” 

Fiona Liebehenz, vice president Key Components, Plant Solutions and Channel Management at Tetra Pak says: “I’m extremely proud of the team. We know that  our customers are under pressure more than ever to operate as efficiently as possible when it comes to resource usage. This is, for many, an existential challenge to secure the future of their operations. Through working with them and understanding their individual needs and objectives, we’re  providing them  fit-for-purpose equipment enriched with our holistic food & beverages application knowledge to address that challenge, delivering tangible improvements in a way that is financially advantageous.”

The business launches today, with Tetra Pak’s Factory Sustainable Solutions expertise and advisory available globally. Tetra Pak’s goal is to continue to develop and expand the offering across all markets, in response to the ever-evolving needs of customers.

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The Ecofeed feed conversion efficiency index, which was introduced by Cogent Breeding in 2017, identifies animals with the genomic trait who do more with less, using fewer feed resources to produce milk. The index enables producers to select the most profitable cows and heifers with high feed conversion efficiency to breed from, improving overall farm performance and returns.  

The research project took place over three years, from 2020 – 2023, and was led by Kite Consulting’s head of genetics Rose Jackson. Four family-run Derbyshire and Staffordshire dairy farms, milking either twice or three times per day, took part in the trial. Herd sizes range from 180 – 500 cows, and are all predominantly housed.  

Alongside demonstrating the role of genomics in improved genetic gain and performance, the project aimed to establish a baseline for Ecofeed scores across the four Arla member farms, and quantify the potential for increasing the Ecofeed scores during the three-year trial period.  

Using a combination of genomic testing and a strategic sexed breeding strategy, the four trial farms all made significant gains in both genetic potential for milk solids and actual total solids production in analysis from 2020 – 2023.  

Using Cogent’s PrecisionMAP breeding programme and reporting tool, genomic tested females from each farm were analysed relative to the Ecofeed trait and each farm’s £CCI – Cogent’s unique Cogent Customer Index, which is based on £PLI (Profitable Lifetime Index), but also weighted to each farm’s milk contract.  

All farms in the project are Arla farmer members on components contracts, so milk solids were a key focus, alongside the Ecofeed trait.  

The breeding programme used female sexed dairy semen on all identified genetic elite females and Holstein bulls were selected on fat and protein, with all bulls scoring positive on the Ecofeed ranking.  

“Ecofeed is a relatively new trait, and while lots of work has gone into its development, we were keen to study this over a period of time in a commercial setting,” explains Siôn Parry, genetic data analyst at Cogent.  

Genetic progress was identified using two figures – £PLI and total milk solids.  

On average, the rate of genetic gain from Ecofeed genetics quantified by £PLI was £69.50/year over a 5-year period which is significantly higher than the UK average of £60/year. 

Milk recording data shows that all four trial farms achieved or exceeded 1000kg/cow/year in milk solids in 2023 demonstrating a 19% increase compared to 2020. It is estimated that up to 50% of this improved output is down to genetics.  

Comparing the whole herd to the 0-12 heifer group showed an average 51% increase in genetic gain for total milk solids (gPTA, genomic Predicted Transmitting Ability), meaning these heifers have 51% more potential to produce milk solids when they enter the herd compared to where the herd is currently. 

“These were very different farms genetically as a starting point, so we had to first establish the baseline for Ecofeed,” explains Kite Consulting’s Rose Jackson.  

Ecofeed is expressed relative to a baseline of 100, with scores over 100 meaning better feed efficiency. On average, the farms have improved by 3.8 Ecofeed points, which equates to a predicted DMI saving of 0.2kg/cow/day.  

“This has been a great project to show how we can improve production efficiency through genetic gain,” Rose continues.  

 “Selecting on the cow and heifer side for the Ecofeed trait, these results show that it is possible to gain in Ecofeed whilst maintaining the genetic gain we already see in other commercially important traits. The results have been substantial, which could have a huge impact continuing on that trajectory,” she says.  

The research has also demonstrated that the Ecofeed trait can help contribute to improved Arla climate check scores, which in the UK averaged 1.13 in 2023. The trial farms improved their climate check score by 11% av., dropping from an average of 1.19 to 1.04. 

“Feed efficiency, despite it being talked about for a while now, will become more and more important economically, and we have to use every tool we can to meet the industry target for carbon reduction. There’s no one answer, but Ecofeed genetics can certainly make a considerable contribution to this,” Siôn adds.  

“We should not underestimate the impact these advancements can make to the overall performance of the industry.” 

“At a challenging time, with fluctuating feed costs, and increasing pressure to reduce carbon output, this new approach to breeding offers a huge, and easily attainable, opportunity for dairy farmers to improve business performance.”  

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However, despite the commitment to move away from plastic, the timeframe for transition is still considerable, with 27% of packaging experts expecting this to happen by 2027, 35% by 2028 and 28% by 2029.  Just under one third (30%) described the move to new packaging materials in their business as too slow, 58% described it as ‘moderate’ and only 11% said it was fast.  Crucially, the majority (87%) want the switch to alternative materials to replace conventional plastics to take place more quickly.   

Currently, the main barriers to using more environmentally friendly options are the higher cost of alternative packaging, which was cited by 53% of respondents, the availability of alternative materials (50%) and ensuring the functionality and product protection remains the same (46%). 

When asked about the key drivers that would help the FMCG sector speed up new material development and implementation, the research showed that 70% of respondents believed that more ambitious recycling targets were key, 62% wanted to see increased investment in new materials, and 54% said greater collaboration to accelerate R&D was needed.  Half said that an industry-wide commitment to move away from conventional plastic was necessary, whilst a further 47% cited tighter environmental regulation through taxation of materials with poor environmental performance was important. 

Dr John Williams, chief technical officer at Aquapak, said: “Our study shows that the FMCG sector is highly cognisant of the need to move away from conventional plastics to more environmentally friendly materials which offer better end-of-life outcomes, be it improved recyclability or biodegradation to make life easier for their customers and other stakeholders.   

“There is undoubtedly some confusion in the market by the number of “new” materials which all offer some potential, but all too often exaggerate the properties and availability of the material, causing delays in the use of genuine solutions by using valuable time in the packaging development process. It is important that there is an acceleration in the use of materials which are available at scale, offer the required functionality, run down existing conversion lines, and have a viable end-of-life solution to the consumer. These solutions are available now and, in the market, but only in low numbers.  

“Our research also suggests that the sector needs to be bolder in its commitment to new packaging materials.  While 37% say they are more focused on switching to innovative, environmentally friendly materials, a quarter are developing existing materials and 38% are placing equal importance on both.  Is this really embracing innovation and change or sitting on the fence until regulation forces the industry’s hand? New materials already exist and can facilitate the move from plastic to solutions which are functional, provide the product protection needed but do not harm the environment when they come to the end of their useful life.” 

Hydropol – performs like plastic, recycles like paper 

Aquapak Polymers Ltd specialises in designing and manufacturing new polymer-based material technologies that uniquely deliver both performance and environmental responsibility at scale. HydropolTM, is a groundbreaking high-performance polymer developed by Aquapak’s own research chemists that enables product and packaging design to meet all necessary functional and performance requirements, whilst increasing recycling, reducing harmful plastic pollution and supporting the circular economy.  When extrusion coated or laminated onto paper, HydropolTM adds strength and barriers to oxygen, oil and grease, and its solubility allows 100% paper fibre recovery through paper recycling mills.  

First fully recyclable paper crisp packet 

Hydropol is used in the first domestically recyclable paper crisp packet unveiled in March, which has been developed in partnership with The British Crisp Co. and Evopak, a manufacturer of sustainable paper based flexible packaging. 

The new packet provides an environmentally friendly and scalable alternative to the eight billion2 packets thrown away each year in the UK, ending up in landfill or are incinerated.  The packets have been certified as recyclable in standard paper recycling mills by OPRL, the only evidence-based on pack recycling labelling scheme.  This means they feature the green recycle logo and can be disposed of in consumer kerbside collections along with other paper material, unlike other crisp packets.  

Hydropol can be recycled, re-pulped, composted and is distinctively compatible with anaerobic digestion.  Furthermore, if unintentionally released into the natural environment, Hydropol – which is non-toxic and marine safe – will dissolve and subsequently biodegrade.  It does not break down into harmful microplastics, so it still has a safe end-of-life even if it is not disposed of as intended.  

To download the report, visit News – aquapak (aquapakpolymers.com) 

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This new endeavor will include dairies located in Colorado, South Dakota, Georgia, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska and New Mexico, and will collect the manure from a combined herd size of approximately 35,000 cows preventing the methane emissions from entering the atmosphere.

The nine projects, each subject to finalizing diligence before beginning construction, are expected to be completed in 2026 and will produce up to an estimated 4 million gallons annually of ultra-clean RNG, a negative carbon-intensity transportation fuel which will make its way into Clean Energy’s nationwide network of RNG stations.

Industry pioneer Maas Energy Works has completed over 60 dairy digester projects over the past decade. The team specializes in lagoon cover digesters which involve a large tarp over a manure lagoon to capture the methane emissions. This process makes these facilities significantly less expensive to build and operate compared to tank digesters seen at other RNG plants. Financed by Clean Energy, the nine sites are forecasted to cost approximately $130 million in total.

“This JV brings together expertise from a seasoned RNG developer and producer and Clean Energy’s extensive RNG distribution network and growing RNG customer base. We are excited to continue our long working relationship with the team at Maas Energy Works to get these facilities online and producing pipeline quality RNG to help supply our transportation fleet customers with clean fuel to help them meet their sustainability goals,” said Clay Corbus, senior vice president at Clean Energy.

“This joint venture is clear proof that family farms paired with private businesses are an unstopped force in achieving decarbonization. If the markets for renewable fuels are clear and consistent, then American’s biogas industry will deliver. We will soon be capturing fugitive manure emissions and turning them into carbon-negative truck fuel with our partners at Clean Energy,” said Daryl Maas, CEO of Maas Energy Works.

Agriculture accounts for nearly 10 percent of U.S. GHG emissions and the transportation sector accounts for another 28%, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Capturing methane from farm waste lowers these emissions. RNG, produced by that captured methane and used as a transportation fuel, significantly lowers GHG emissions on a lifecycle basis when compared to diesel. This allows RNG to be one of the only fuels to receive a negative carbon-intensity score based on the reduction of emissions at the source and at the vehicle.

Forward-Looking Statements 

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including without limitation statements about: the benefits of the joint development agreement including the number, location and herd size of dairy digester projects proposed to be constructed, the timeframe for such construction and the anticipated investment pursuant to the joint development agreement; the amounts and timing of manure expected to be produced; the amounts and timing of natural gas expected to be produced or consumed; the relative cost of construction between lagoon cover digesters and tank digesters; the characteristics and performance of natural gas engines and trucks; the potential development of the consumer market for RNG; the environmental and other benefits of Clean Energy’s fuels; the availability of environmental, tax and other government regulations, programs and incentives; and the impacts of legislative and regulatory developments. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date of this press release and, unless otherwise required by law, Clean Energy undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Additionally, the reports and other documents Clean Energy files with the SEC (available at www.sec.gov) contain risk factors, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release.

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