BELGIUM – Cargill is investing US$150 million in a new plant that produces advanced biofuels from waste and residues, in a move to further strengthen its commitment to fight climate change and deliver a more circular economy.
The plant will be located at its existing integrated oilseeds crush and Bioro biodiesel site in Ghent, Belgium, and marks the first-of-its-kind for the company.
The project helps meet global renewable energy demand while protecting natural resources and enables Cargill to maintain its leading position across Europe, both in producing renewable fuels and providing customers with sustainable, responsible and safe solutions.
By using the latest technology of BDI-BioEnergy International, the plant will be able to process all types of liquid waste oils and fat including by-products from food processing, waste from the food industry and non-food crops grown on marginal land.
“Advanced biodiesel from waste and residues will provide concrete, cost effective solutions bringing major benefits to citizens, communities and the environment.”
Alexis Cazin – Managing director, Cargill Biodiesel
According to Cargill, the plant will have a biodiesel production capacity of 115,000 metric tons per year, helping to meet global renewable energy demands while protecting natural resources.
“The new Cargill facility in Ghent will be the first plant in Europe capable of processing all kinds of feedstocks, including acid oils from vegetable oil refining, liquid residues from industrial processes, and even the fat recovered from sewage sludge from local municipalities,” Roger Janson, president of Cargill’s Agricultural Supply Chain across EMEA.
The project will reportedly help customers remove carbon emissions from their supply chains using innovative technology that supports new regulations.
Construction of the biodiesel plant will commence in October 2020 and is due to open in June 2022. Cargill says the facility will create around 20 new direct jobs and an additional 60 indirect jobs in the Ghent community.
“Cargill’s circular economy approach brings added sustainability benefits to not only our customers, but also to the end consumer, as the plant will utilize recycled products that would have previously been disposed of or used for low-value applications,” said Alexis Cazin, managing director, Cargill Biodiesel.
“In certain sectors such as transportation, developing high blend solutions for trucks or significantly reduced carbon marine fuel for shipping can only be achieved using this waste processing technology. Advanced biodiesel from waste and residues will provide concrete, cost effective solutions bringing major benefits to citizens, communities and the environment,” he continued.
In July, Cargill joined the global renowned Ellen MacArthur Foundation, standing alongside other companies, governments and academic institutions to promote and accelerate a circular economy, a vision and approach that focuses on reusing rather than discarding materials.
The new plant will have a biodiesel production capacity of 115,000 metric tons per year. Construction will commence in October 2020, with the plant due to open in June 2022. The new facility will create around 20 new direct jobs and an additional 60 indirect jobs in the Ghent community.
Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Business Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food and agro industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE
