USA – ADM has achieved net carbon neutral status at its US mills, making it the first company of such kind and scale in the milling sector to achieve such a milestone.
ADM which has 22 mills around the US that process wheat, sorghum and corn into flour says that the net-zero emission status now paves way for the company to start producing carbon-neutral flour.
To achieve the enviable status, ADM employed a number of strategies including a combination of energy efficiencies and the purchase of renewable energy certificates.
ADM also invested in energy efficiency projects, technology updates, and replacing older facilities with state-of-the-art technology at its US flour mills.
The company’s carbon sequestration technology that uses carbon capture and storage technology to compensate for emissions generated at the company’s US flour mills was also critical in achieving net-zero status.
Such technology is deployed in ADM’s facility in Decatur, Illinois. The tech permanently secludes carbon dioxide a mile underground, preventing it from being emitted into the atmosphere.
Through increased energy efficiency and reductions in energy use, ADM notes that it was able to achieve its 2020 environmental goals ahead of schedule.
Further efficiencies and reductions will contribute to ADM’s Strive 35 targets, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent and energy intensity by 15 percent by 2035, against a 2019 baseline.
Net-zero, a bonus for ADM
Achieving net-zero is timely for ADM as data shows that consumers are more aware of carbon and take steps to reduce their environmental impact, driving demand for sustainable goods and carbon labeling.
This will thus better position ADM’s products in the market against its rivals who are yet to have the necessary infrastructure to support production of a carbon neutral flour.
“Consumers increasingly expect their food to come from companies that share their values,” says Tedd Kruse, president, Milling & Baking Solutions.
“ADM is a capable partner in delivering responsibly and sustainably sourced ingredients that meet heightened consumer expectations. We know that our downstream customers are interested in reducing the carbon footprint of their supply chains.”
Earlier, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners announced that two of its European manufacturing sites had become carbon neutral certified according to the international standard PAS 2060.
This just shows the commitment that food manufacturing companies have towards reducing the carbon impact of their operations.
Soon, sustainability will be a key determinant of a company’s market success. You either cut carbon emissions or lose the customers which you spent considerable resources to attract.
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