Arla Foods Ingredients invests US$35M in carbon reduction project

DENMARK – Arla Foods Ingredients, a global leader in the dairy industry, has announced a US$32 million Carbon reduction project at its primary processing plant in Denmark

Scheduled to commence operations in 2025, the electric heat pump facility at the Denmark Protein site is set to transform Arla’s energy consumption.

With the capacity to convert 2.8MW of electricity into 8MW of heat, the facility is set to drastically reduce the plant’s greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 14,500 tonnes CO2 equivalent annually, which represents 22% reduction compared to 2023 levels.

According to the company, the move towards heat production by electricity, replacing traditional gas-based methods, forms a crucial part of the company’s overarching goal to slash CO2 emissions from production by 63% by 2030.

“Combined with efforts to achieve 100% renewable electricity across its European sites by the end of 2025, this project marks one of our most significant steps towards achieving net-zero status.”

The company also noted that lessons learnt from previous smaller heat pump investments have contributed to the design of this fully integrated system.

“The innovative facility will capture energy from chilled water and feed the resulting heat into the plant’s 90°C heat distribution network,” Arla said in a press release.

“This network supplies hot water for critical processes such as spray-drying to create powdered whey ingredients.”

According to Paul van Rooij, Vice President of Supply Chain at Arla Foods Ingredients, there’s growing demand for the company’s products around the world, but it’s essential that we grow sustainably.

In addition, he highlighted that efficient electrification and a shift to renewables are central to Arla’s commitment to reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

“The innovative heat pump technology not only allows Arla to diversify its energy sources but also provides a blueprint for similar projects at other Arla Foods Ingredients sites,” he added

“This initiative represents a pivotal milestone in Arla’s carbon reduction journey, showcasing the company’s dedication to implementing environmentally conscious solutions and fostering a more sustainable future.”

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