UKTate & Lyle, a provider of food and beverage ingredients and solutions, has unveiled a US$75 million investment plan in a new natural gas-fired combined heat and power system at its Lafayette South corn wet milling facility in Lafayette, Indiana, US.

The investment is expected to deliver significant environmental and economic benefits at its corn wet milling facility and will support the company’s new sustainability ambitions seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, eliminate coal from its operations and reduce water use.

Tate & Lyle said that the new gas turbines will generate electricity and steam to power and heat the facility, delivering a significant improvement in energy and operational efficiency.

The company added that the new co-generation system will replace the site’s coal-fired boiler, delivering around 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and around 5% reduction in water use.

This investment follows completion of a similar system at Tate & Lyle’s corn wet mill in Loudon, Tennessee in 2017 as part of its six-year US$150 million productivity programme, which is now in its third year.

Travis Montoya, Plant Manager at Lafayette South said: “This major investment will make our facility more efficient and directly benefit the local community through improved air quality, decreased water use and less truck traffic.

“At Lafayette South, we have a strong track record of energy efficiency, having received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR accreditation for five consecutive years; this is a real source of pride for the local team.”

Melissa Law, President of Global Operations at Tate & Lyle, added:  “A key pillar of our purpose of Improving Lives for Generations, is to care for our planet and to help protect its natural resources for the benefit of future generations.

“This project at Lafayette South is a great example of our purpose in action and will help us meet our ambitious new environmental commitments, driving important energy-saving and environmental benefits.”

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