Frutarom Health sees 36% rise in biogas energy
It increased the production of its renewable electrical energy corresponding to 1,000,000 kWh/year using CHC (combined heat and power), technology which was installed at its Swiss plant in Wädenswil recently.
Yannick Capelle, product technical manager, Frutarom Health, told FoodProductionDaily with CHP equipment, reducing the waste of heat, its electrical efficiency has risen from 21% to 36%.
CHP heat engine
1kW of electricity produced by biogas prevents 7,000kg CO2 release per year. The total power, heat and electricity, produced by the biogas equipment is now 2,600,000kWh per year.
“Cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP) is the use of a heat engine or power station to simultaneously generate electricity and useful heat,” he said.
“All thermal power plants emit heat during electricity generation, which is usually released into the natural environment. In contrast, CHP captures some or all of the by-product for heating.
“In our factory in Wadenswil, this energy is used for heating the buildings in winter and cooling in summer. The surplus is used for process energy.”
Award winning
The energy produced by biogas uses waste materials and is categorized as CO2-neutral. Frutarom was awarded a certificate of CO2 reduction by the Swiss Energy Agency in 2012, recognizing the Wädenswil facility does not contribute to the rising amounts of CO2 affecting climate change through the greenhouse effect.
The biogas plant also received the Naturemade quality mark as a Naturemade Star, indicating “energy produced with special respect for the environment.” The Naturemade quality mark certifies energy from 100% renewable sources, such as water, sun, biomass and wind.
The fermentation process is entirely natural and takes up to 45 days. The equipment consists of two generators that produce electricity and heat. The electricity produced is sufficient to provide up to 40% of the site’s electricity needs.
New acquisition
“At our production site in Wadenswil the challenge is to provide 100% heating and cooling of the buildings, 40% of electrical energy and 8% of process energy by renewable energy,” added Capelle.
Frutarom’s production of EFLA extracts line of healthy ingredients has been complemented by a biogas plant (for the treatment of waste and solids) and an air purification system. Together they produce clean water and clean air, as well as renewable energy.
Frutarom acquired JannDeRee in South Africa for $5.2m in May this year, which had a sales turnover of 45m in 2012.
The company develops, manufactures, and markets flavors with an emphasis on savory and sweet ingredients.
Expansion
It has an R&D, production and marketing site in Johannesburg, South Africa, as well as a wide customer base in the sub-Saharan region such as Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Frutarom has recently further strengthened its presence in African markets by adding additional sales personnel in countries such as Nigeria.
