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Nestlé & Cargill use cocoa shell in new lowcarbon fertiliser

Posted on September 27, 2023September 27, 2023 by dishanth

Approximately 5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are currently produced from the production and use of conventional fertiliser, and more than half of the carbon footprint of wheat grown in the UK is related to fertiliser use.

Nestlé UK & Ireland and Cargill have partnered to develop innovative solutions in regenerative agriculture. The initiative — a UK supply chain trial — aims to assess whether cocoa shells from a confectionery site in York could be used to create a low carbon fertiliser.

The trial to evaluate the fertiliser’s performance on crop production, soil health and GHG emissions reduction will last two years, and, if successful, could produce and offer up to 7,000 tonnes of low carbon fertiliser to farmers in Nestlé’s UK wheat supply chain. This amount of fertiliser equates to around 25% of Nestlé UK’s total fertiliser use for wheat.

“Farmers often find themselves to be among the first groups to be exposed to global issues, and these risks are then borne by the food system we all depend upon,” shares Matt Ryan, Regeneration Lead at Nestlé UK & Ireland.

“We have to find ways to build more resilience into the system and optimising our use of natural resources is a critical part of this.

“This project is a small, but very meaningful step towards a net zero future, where farmers, local enterprises, and nature all stand to benefit”

Reducing emissions across the supply chain

Cargill supplies the cocoa shells from its York facility where the shells are processed to become key ingredients in iconic products like KitKat and Aero.

Recycling valuable nutrients from waste streams within the food system provides a promising opportunity to create a lower emissions supply chain. Scaling up low carbon fertiliser production in the UK can provide farmers with a more sustainable product at a reliable price.

The trials, which were designed and are being overseen by York-based Fera Science Ltd, are currently taking place on arable farms in Suffolk and Northamptonshire. They are designed to investigate the performance of the fertiliser in terms of wheat yield and quality, as well as assess the impacts on soil biodiversity and GHG emissions in comparison to conventional products applied on the same farms.

“We have now finished harvesting and we’ve successfully grown a Winter wheat crop using this new fertiliser. We’ve compared two parts of the field, one which used the cocoa shell fertiliser, and one which used with the conventional fertiliser, and there is no significant difference in the yield so we can see that it works,” says Richard Ling, farm manager at Rookery Farm, Wortham in Norfolk, who supplies wheat to Nestlé Purina.

“We are really reassured with the results and are looking at running further trials. It’s a step change to be able to use a fertiliser made from a waste stream and see the same results as using a conventional product. It’s an exciting and promising time and we are pleased to be taking part in these trials to help reduce the carbon emissions from our farming.”

For all companies involved, the trial embodies their commitment to innovation, collaboration and sustainability throughout the supply chain. Alongside its pledge to net zero emissions by 2050, Nestlé has committed to sourcing 50% of its key ingredients from regenerative agricultural methods by 2030 and this project is an example of the innovative solutions supporting the company on that journey.

“Cargill and Nestlé have been working together for more than 60 years building resilient supply chains across communities where we both operate. We are excited to continue to build on this strong partnership through our innovative cocoa shell fertiliser trial,” says Sam Thompson, Global Engineering Lead at Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate.

“Together, we hope to contribute to a more sustainable future for the British farming industry.”

Source Sustainability

Decarbonizing Aluminum; a Low-Carbon Future for a Versatile Metal

Posted on March 28, 2023March 28, 2023 by dishanth

What is aluminum, and what is it used for?

Aluminum is a silvery-white, soft, nonmagnetic metal. It has good electrical and thermal conductivity and is used in many products, from cars and airplanes to packaging, foil and cans. It is a highly versatile metal, but many people don’t realize that it’s also one of the most carbon-intensive metals to produce.

Because it is used in so many diverse applications, the aluminum industry has a big environmental footprint. Aluminum production emits about 1% of global man-made greenhouse gas emissions. Most of these emissions come from using fossil fuels to make aluminum oxide (alumina), which is then reduced to aluminum metal in smelters.

The aluminum industry is working on ways to reduce its emissions. One promising technology is “carbon-free” or “green” aluminum production. This process uses renewable electricity – instead of fossil fuels – to produce alumina, which can then be turned into aluminum metal using existing smelting technology.

Several companies are already using or testing this technology, including Rio Tinto, Alcoa, Hydro and China’s Chalco. These companies are betting that carbon-free aluminum will be in high demand from industries and consumers who want to reduce their emissions footprints.

Why is aluminum production carbon-intensive?

There are two main reasons why aluminum production is so carbon-intensive. First, alumina, the raw material used to produce aluminum, is derived from bauxite ore, typically found in tropical regions. The process of mining and refining bauxite ore releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Second, smelting alumina to produce aluminum metal emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide. Smelting is responsible for approximately two-thirds of the total emissions associated with aluminum production.

How will the industry decarbonize aluminum?

The most common method of producing aluminum involves the electrolysis of alumina in a high-carbon anode, which results in significant emissions of greenhouse gases. The industry is developing low-carbon technologies to reduce or eliminate these emissions.

Another promising technology is using renewable energy to power the electrolysis process. This would significantly reduce the carbon footprint of aluminum production. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power can all power these processes while significantly reducing or eliminating emissions.

Recycled aluminum requires less energy to process and emits far less carbon dioxide than virgin alumina.

Each of these options comes with its challenges, but the aluminum industry is committed to finding ways to reduce its environmental impact. For example, Rio Tinto is investing in research into new smelting technologies that could significantly reduce emissions. Alcoa is working on a project to power its operations with renewable energy from forest biomass waste.

Will the quality of low-carbon aluminum be lower?

Decarbonized aluminum is made using low-carbon methods, which results in a lower carbon footprint. However, some worry that this type of aluminum will be of lower quality than regular aluminum.

No evidence suggests that decarbonized aluminum is any less strong or durable than regular aluminum. In fact, it may even be of higher quality due to the extra attention to the manufacturing process and modern innovations in the process. Low-carbon methods often result in a cleaner and more pure product.

A study by the International Aluminum Institute found that, when using best practices, there was no significant difference in the quality of low-carbon aluminum and regular aluminum. The study found that, in some cases, low-carbon aluminum had superior properties.

This is because environmental regulations are becoming more stringent, forcing producers to innovate and find ways to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising on quality.

Source Happy Eco News

Clean energy developer Low Carbon to build 75MW of new solar projects

Posted on December 6, 2022 by dishanth

Solar plants planned for Buckinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Essex hailed as an ‘important addition’ to developer’s growing portfolio
Renewables developer Low Carbon has announced it is to build three large-scale solar farms in England using a multi-bank financing facility from NatWest, Lloyds Bank, and AIB.

The company said the plants, which have a combined capacity of more than 75MW are to be funded through the new financing facility, which was set up in September with the aim of supporting 1GW of new renewable energy capacity.

Work on the 23.4GW Fox Covert Solar Farm in Buckinghamshire is due to commence immediately, while work on the other two sites – the 28.8MW Inkersall Road Solar Farm in Derbyshire an the 23MW St Clere’s Solar Farm in Essex – will start next year, according to the update.

Roy Bedlow, CEO and founder of Low Carbon, said the rapid creation of renewable energy capacity would help protect homes and businesses from soaring energy prices. “Only by accelerating the rollout of clean, affordable energy can we fully decarbonise and achieve our shared climate goals,” he said. “Today’s announcement also marks an important step towards Low Carbon’s own strategic targets of net zero and 20GW of new renewable energy capacity by 2030.”

Low Carbon said the projects were “an important addition” to its growing project portfolio in the UK, Europe and North America and would help avoid approximately 16,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions annually.

Bouygues Energies & Services will deliver the design an build of all three projects, according to the update.

The announcement comes as the UK solar farm sector continues to face an uncertain policy environment, with Defra undertaking a review of planning rules that could restrict the development of new projects on agricultural land.

The industry has warned the proposals would seriously restrict new project development while having a negligible impact on food security. Trade group Solar Energy UK has said the mooted reforms could jeopardise billions of pounds of planned investment, drive up energy bills, and undermine energy security.

Source BusinessGreen

COP27: UK’s Miliband works towards clean power ‘anti-Opec’

Posted on November 17, 2022 by dishanth

With one eye on the halls of power in Westminster and one eye on the hallway at COP27, British Shadow Secretary of State for Climate Change and Net Zero Ed Miliband has said that, under a Labour government, the UK would be prepared to form an ‘anti-Opec’ alliance that would be established to serve the interests of the renewable energy industry.

In the event of an alliance being created, countries would be able to source components more cheaply, increase the use of alternative forms of energy, and increase the export of electricity across increasingly sophisticated grids.

Miliband has pointed to Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Costa Rica and Kenya as potential partners.

The former leader of the Labour Party – a party that is committed to 100% low-carbon electricity by 2030 – is due to spend the coming days at this year’s UN Climate Conference, which is currently being held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Among other sundry tasks, he will be spending his time gauging support for this new idea.

Pooling resources

“The potential clean power alliance is like an anti-Opec,” said Miliband to The Guardian. “I say anti-Opec because Opec is a cartel, a group of countries that works together to keep prices high. This would be a way in which countries join together to be the vanguard and say, ‘We’re going to deliver on clean power and it will help to cut prices, not just for us but for others.’”

Among the greatest sources for optimism in this proposal, so Miliband has said, is the decline in prices for renewables seen over the last decade. “It is now cheaper ro save the planet than to destroy it,” he said.

The Labour Party platform already has a number of policies on it that will help alleviate the burden of the climate crisis on both the UK and the world, among these being a promise to lift a ban on onshore windfarms that has been in effect since 2015 as well as a cessation to the granting of oil and gas licences in the fossil fuel-rich North Sea.

Source Sustainability

This robotically fabricated structure aims to promote low carbon construction

Posted on September 19, 2022 by dishanth

A team of students and researchers from the University of Michigan have created a robotically-fabricated structure made entirely from timber.
They aimed to promote low-carbon construction, creating a complex architectural structure from local materials.
The designers hope it can serve as an example of how robotic construction can enable more sustainable forms of construction and minimize waste.

A team of students and researchers has shown how, with the help of robots, it’s possible to build an intricate pavilion using only small pieces of timber.

The Robotically Fabricated Structure is the result of a project by the Adel Design Research (ADR) Laboratory at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.

The robotically fabricated structure was built using only small pieces of timber. Image: ADR Laboratory

The ambition was to promote low-carbon construction, by showing it’s possible to create complex architectural structures using wood that is sourced from the local region rather than imported.

Custom algorithms were used to calculate the optimal arrangement for the timber 2x4s, removing the need for any larger beams within the structure.

Robots assembled the components into a series of prefabricated frames, which were then delivered to site and slotted together by hand.

“The coupling of custom algorithms and robotic fabrication enables the feasible realisation of bespoke building components that are otherwise difficult or costly to achieve through conventional means and methods, with minimal construction waste,” explained ADR, which is led by professor Arash Adel.

“Short elements enable the use of indigenous trees that cannot easily produce full-length building elements, construction and manufacturing off-cuts, and lumber elements reclaimed from the deconstruction of buildings, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable practice,” said the team.

The tunnel is made up of 20 robotically fabricated frames. Image: ADR Laboratory

Robotically Fabricated Structure has been installed in the Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor, where it can be used as a place of rest and shelter, or host exhibitions and performances.

Raised on an oval-shaped timber platform, it takes the form of a curved tunnel with an integrated bench seat wrapping on of its edges.

The tunnel is made up of 20 robotically fabricated frames, which themselves are made up of various components. Each one is slightly different, which gives the structure its undulating shape.

As each piece of wood has the same thickness, it was possible to design these frames so that they slot together. This helped to reduce the need for screw fixings.

The design is longlisted for Dezeen Awards 2022 in the small building category.

The designers hope it can serve as an example of how robotic construction can enable more sustainable forms of construction and minimise waste.

Robots assembled the components into a series of prefabricated frames. Image: ADR Laboratory

Source World Economic Forum

Green opportunities in Hong Kong

Posted on December 2, 2020 by dishanth

Do you have a solution that could help the territory on its low-carbon transformation?

In late November 2020, Hong Kong became yet another jurisdiction to state its ambition and pledge to become net zero. In her annual Policy Address, Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced “that the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) will strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.”.

While it could NOT be hailed as the most bullish of timelines, it IS a great step forwards and follows in the path of the President of Mainland China Xi Jinping’s recent speech to the United Nations when he made it clear that China would endeavour to achieve carbon-neutrality before 2060.

While specifics will become clear over the next while, the Policy Address already provides a sense of the direction of travel and priorities for Hong Kong’s intended low-carbon transformation. Here are a few headline themes: (figures in brackets are the related paragraphs in the Policy Address):

• Reinvent construction, including through digitalisation and innovation, as part of the ongoing investment in infrastructure (57, 59)

• Various plans to develop/redevelop different districts for mixed community spaces serving conservation, nature, entertainment etc (111, 113)

• A new multi-modal environmentally friendly linkage system for Kowloon East, comprising bus/minibus routes, travellators, tracks for pedestrians and cyclists, water-taxis (116, 119)

• Smart mobility through applying technology to improve road efficiency (118).

• Promoting a green recovery through initiatives like installing more electric vehicle charging-enabling infrastructure and expanding the recycling network (124)

• The Government has indicated plans to examine various means to reduce carbon emissions, including zero-carbon energy and decarbonisation technology; enhancing the energy efficient of both new and existing buildings; promoting zero-carbon vehicles and green transportation, and building large scale waste-to-energy facilities (127).

• Supporting all of the above will be more stringent energy efficient standards, green finance will be developed to facilitate the investment required and there will be a push to enhance public education and publicity.

All of this, plus there is an indication that there will be lots more coming – a Green Tech Fund, new long-term strategy blueprint for waste, electric vehicles, updating the Clean Air Plan (124) – so there’s lots to do in the territory and inspiration/ideas will certainly be sought from offshore, for proven technologies, use cases, and more.

Looking beyond Hong Kong, the territory plus some of the southern provinces of Mainland China plus the other Special Administrative Region, Macau, comprise the land mass that is the Greater Bay Area. The so-called GBA comprising 90 million people is being developed as an integrated region, that already has impressive economic firepower of some USD24,000 GDP per capita. So, whether considering Hong Kong on its own or as an international entry point and intermediary to this larger region, the business opportunities for cleantech and green solutions in and through Hong Kong has arguably never been more attractive.

While the Policy Address isn’t a shopping list of what the territory needs to source, it does give a strong indication of what the Government is seeking to do, but it’s unlikely the current provision of goods and services in Hong Kong will have all the answers.

If you operate in any of these areas and have offerings that could help Hong Kong achieve these goals, you would be well advised to explore them now.

Should you wish to learn any more details about the market in Hong Kong, please do get in touch with Fiona of Red Links. Red Links is a Hong Kong-based consultancy, helping build responsible businesses, through services in strategy, engagement and sustainability.

Notes:
– the full text and summaries of the address are available:
https://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/2020/eng/index.html
– these plans are subject to approval but can be taken as a strong indication of what is likely to
happen