Energy savings in milk processing
Producing milk and processing it into dairy products requires energy. The use of fossil fuels (natural gas and oil) results in the emission of CO2 (carbon dioxide). This CO2 is responsible for greenhouse gases which in turn cause global warming with all its accompanying negative effects. At FrieslandCampina we are therefore actively striving to decrease our energy consumption throughout the dairy chain. We have achieved a great deal in recent years.
Between 1990 and 1995 the dairy industry in the Netherlands made energy savings of approximately 20 per cent. For instance, by modifying processes and through the use of energy-saving machines and improved heat recycling. We also managed to achieve a lot in the field of energy savings at our production locations from 2005 to 2008. These measures included more efficient cleaning of our machines and reconfiguring our cooling installations for greater energy efficiency. At production locations in Belgium and Germany we also look closely at energy consumption when we purchase new equipment. But we don’t stop there: we’re working on new initiatives to further reduce our energy consumption. A good example is the use of green energy which our member dairy farmers produce at their own farms.
At present, 7 per cent of the electrical energy which FrieslandCampina consumes is sustainably produced. This means that we do not use gas, oil or coal to produce this energy. In 2010 we aim to increase our use of sustainably produced energy to 15 per cent.
The primary sector (via LTO) and the dairy processing industry have made agreements with the Dutch government in which objectives for energy saving and the production of sustainable energy have been set. (The so-called Clean and Efficient Agri Sectors Agreement/convenant Schone en zuinige agrosectoren)
Green energy from our own dairy farmers
As part of our vision of sustainable energy we are taking the following concrete steps from 1 January 2010:
- We will work with Gasunie and regional gas grid managers in the Netherlands to create scope for member dairy farmers to supply the methane gas they produce to the grid. Discussions with Gasunie were held throughout the year on how to achieve this target. In July 2009 Vertogas was established. This company ensures that producers of biogas are connected to the public gas grid. Vertogas sets the criteria which the gas must fulfil and issues the certificates attesting to the supply of biogas.
- If dairy farmers produce green gas near a FrieslandCampina production location, we are prepared to construct burners at that location – provided there is sufficient interest. The burners will be modified to treat the green gas supplied directly by the dairy farmers to the production location. We will purchase this gas at market-related prices. Together we and a number of partners are presently in dialogue with the government to ensure these initiatives are optimally incorporated into the existing subsidy regulations.
- Member dairy farmers who receive green certificates for supplying green gas can sell them to FrieslandCampina at market-related prices. The same applies to green energy certificates received for green electricity (wind and solar energy). FrieslandCampina has taken the first step in this direction by acquiring the green De Marke certificates. The first dairy farmer connected to the public gas grid.
- FrieslandCampina will create a single green energy contact point for member dairy farmers.
Benefits for member dairy farmers
Gaining insight into the market for sustainable energy is a difficult and time-consuming process for busy member dairy farmers. We are creating clarity and structure for our member dairy farmers by taking these steps related to the green energy they produce. They are assured that the green energy generated by their cooperative dairy business will be sold at a competitive price without their direct involvement in the green energy market. They will have one point of contact for questions and comments. The member dairy farmers are thus making their own contribution towards increasing the sustainability of dairy production.
Go backRead on
Energy use
Our dairy farmers produce a lot of milk, so naturally we at FrieslandCampina process a lot of milk. In absolute quantities it takes a great deal of energy to produce and process that milk. In the Netherlands, the dairy industry and dairy farmers consume 26.3 PJ a year. Meanwhile, seven percent of the energy FrieslandCampina used in 2008 was generated sustainably. We will be increasing this amount to 15 per cent in 2010.
Making production more sustainable
As FrieslandCampina, we want to help make dairy production more sustainable. But there is one condition: we must continue to generate an economic return because only then can we invest in sustainability.
In many of our production locations, we now use environmental care systems, which help us work to improve energy efficiency in a structured and targeted manner.
Sustainable dairy production also includes the dairy farm – which is responsible for 67 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the dairy chain. This is primarily owing to methane from the rumen and the nitrous oxide caused by chemical manure. Another 17 percent result from the production of cattle feed. The processing of milk (roughly speaking: from farm to refrigerator) accounts for the remaining 16 percent.
FrieslandCampina’s vision
FrieslandCampina is doing everything it can to guarantee more sustainable dairy production. The top priorities are the processing and sale of member milk and the supply of dairy products and ingredients.
The most important measure for the environment involves decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, this means cutting the levels of carbon dioxide that are released in burning fossil fuels at production locations and the greenhouse gasses emitted in generating the necessary electricity. Another target is the amount of methane released by cows who feed on grass.
We have therefore agreed to become more sustainable. In 2020, we aim to use one hundred percent sustainable energy. Preferably, this will be energy generated in our own sector and by our own members, who understand that the dairy sector must produce more sustainably. A few cattle farmers have already taken the lead and became energy producers themselves, using manure fermentation (green gas), windmills and solar panels (green electricity).
Many of these initiatives are still in the pioneering stage. It will only become clear in a few years whether this method of energy production holds promise. Promise for the environment and for economic return for all involved.
Agreements made by the dairy and primary industries
In the Netherlands, FrieslandCampina and the other dairy companies united in the Dutch Dairy Organisation, have made agreements aimed at improving energy efficiency. These include an annual two percent energy savings within the dairy chain between 2005 and 2020 – 1.5 percent at the production locations and 0.5 percent in the chain.
In 2020 all energy that is purchased must be generated sustainably, thus making the dairy chain energy neutral.
The other primary industry members also want to work towards more sustainable production. The clean and efficient covenant for the agricultural sector establishes the following agreements for the year 2020:
- Two percent energy savings a year.
- A minimum of 20 percent of the energy used must be generated sustainably.
- 65 Petajoule in sustainably generated energy per year, of which 48 PJ biogas obtained from manure fermentation.
- Lowest emissions of methane and N2O per litre of milk in the European Union.
- Five percent reduction in methane emissions per cow between 2007 and 2020.
Go backRead on
Dairy now
Milk has an extraordinary nutritional value: there are few foods that contain as many different, important nutrients. Milk therefore makes a key contribution to our intake of many nutrients and is a suitable addition to a responsible diet.
The production of milk requires a great deal of energy, both on the farm and in the processing of the milk into dairy products. While it is true that more energy is needed to produce a kilo of dairy product compared to many other foods, at the same time dairy provides a high level of nutrients in an efficient manner.
Current energy use and emissions in the dairy chain
Most of the energy is used to produce feed and process milk: 33 and 28 percent respectively. The production of milk powder is a particularly energy-intensive process, as is the manufacture of concentrates. This is also reflected in the greenhouse gas emissions.
Farms also use a lot of energy (14 percent), which is needed to run the milking machine and cooling system, among other things. The rest of the energy is used for cooling during transport and storage in the retail sector and at consumers’ homes.
Government policy
The European Union wants to decrease CO2 emissions among member states by decreasing companies’ energy use, among other things. Like FrieslandCampina, the European Union wants the energy that is needed to be generated sustainably. The European objective is 20/20/20 before 2020. This means a 20 percent reduction in CO2 emissions, a 20 percent savings in energy use and that 20 percent of the energy used must be generated sustainably. In addition, between 2005 and 2020, energy use must be cut by two percent a year.
The future of dairy
The dairy sector is changing fast. The expansion of the milk quota means milk production can be increased. Dairy farmers are increasing their herds, which means more milk and higher greenhouse gas emissions. We in the dairy sector must therefore persist in actively adjusting our energy policy to continue ensuring the chain remains sustainable.
Go backRead on