On 2 December, we reached another important milestone in our decarbonisation journey in the presence of several prominent figures, including Yvan Verougstraete, MEP and President of Les Engagés. We inaugurated our third digester and our mechanical vapour recompression system.
20% biogas
Our third digester, representing an investment of around 2 million euros, generates an average annual power output of 2 MW, producing 8,000 MWh/year. This energy saves us from emitting 1,680 tonnes of CO2 annually.
To operate and produce biogas, our three digesters, representing a total investment of 5 million euros, are fuelled by beet residues that we recycle (pulp and rootlets). This biogas then feeds our boiler, contributing to our decarbonisation ambition.
With the addition of this third digester, we can now achieve 20% self-produced biogas in our energy mix. Ultimately, we will have six digesters, which will enable us to increase this percentage of green energy.
Close the loop
That’s not all! A digester generates 7,500 tonnes of digestate annually, a fertiliser rich in organic matter with real agronomic value: it improves soil structure, stimulates microbial life and thus contributes to sustainable soil fertility.
From mid-February onwards, this digestate is spread directly on the fields of farmers located within a 30 km radius of the sugar factory. Our model reflects our desire to close the loop by turning our co-products into energy.
1M for our mechanical vapour recompression
We have also invested 1 million euros in our second mechanical vapour recompression (MVR) unit. Installed on the fifth evaporation tower, this technology recovers vapours, compresses them and reuses them as a heat source in the same evaporation tank from which they originated.
From an energy perspective, the MVD unit is a huge fan operating in a closed circuit. It is powered by green electricity generated by our wind turbine, which enables us to reduce the amount of energy consumed by our boiler.
33 million euros over 10 years
Since 2020, we have already invested 13 million euros in our ambitious decarbonisation plan. This roadmap has enabled us to install innovative equipment on our site, such as digesters and a wind turbine.
Many other projects have been carried out this year, enabling us to reduce losses throughout our process. These include five new heat exchangers and the renovation of our evaporation system.
As a result, our emissions have fallen to 260 kg of CO2 per tonne of sugar in 2024, an 11% reduction compared to 2023! The remaining 20 million euros will finance three new digesters, a biomethane line and other innovative equipment that will help us further reduce our carbon footprint.
By Arno Vandersyppe
administrator
Brieuc
