Quaker factory to be powered by oats
Quaker has confirmed exciting new plans to use self-generated renewable energy to power its site at Uthrogle Mills, near Cupar. The groundbreaking plans will see oat husks, the part of the oat left over from making porridge, being used to generate energy for the entire site.
While the full plans are still being developed, the centrepiece is a £6m combined heat and power biomass boiler. The new boiler, which is around five times more expensive than a conventional fossil fuel boiler, will generate enough steam and electricity to power the site, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 9,000 tonnes a year - a huge reduction equivalent to the typical annual carbon emissions of 3,000 cars.
It will mean that the site becomes "carbon neutral" because it will run entirely on self-generated renewable energy. Even more than that, for the first three years of operation, the site will prevent a further 1,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year being released as it will export over 1,300 megawatt hours of renewable energy back to the National Grid.
The move will further reduce carbon emissions by cutting over 172,000 road miles, as the husks will no longer have to be transported away from the site, eliminating a further 600 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
The proposals promise to dramatically reduce the Quaker factory's carbon footprint, making it one of Scotland's greenest. Simon Ely, Head of the Quaker plant in Cupar commented:
"We think this project is very exciting as it will mean that none of the energy stored in our oats is wasted. Everyone knows that porridge is a great source of energy for our bodies. Now we're planning to use the oat husks to power our Quaker facility.
"We will be involving our employees and neighbours fully in our plans, and consulting on the proposals. This will include seeking views on the best use of environmental technologies, and ways they could provide spin-off benefits to other Fife businesses."
Hugh Jones, Solutions Director of the Carbon Trust, commented:
"Every service or product we purchase has an impact on climate change and it is clear that consumers and businesses, such as PepsiCo, are taking action to reduce these carbon emissions. This innovative approach by Quaker to cut carbon emissions through investment in new low carbon technology will be a powerful signal to other businesses that reducing carbon emissions and looking for sustainable energy sources makes business sense."
Constituency MP, Sir Menzies Campbell QC MP, said:
"I regularly meet the management and staff at Quaker's Fife facility. I enthusiastically support their efforts to make the Cupar plant a global leader in the environmental debate. Using the oat husks to generate energy is a wonderful idea."
A Scottish success story, Quaker at Cupar will also be expanding by investing in a third kiln to meet massive demand in Europe and the Middle East.
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Notes to Editors
The CHP plant will use the oat husks, which are removed from the oats during the milling process, to deliver 9,709 MWhrs of electricity and 10,902 MWhrs of steam. The facility will export over 1,300 MWhrs of electricity to the national grid.
The installation of a CHP plant will also reduce the number of truck miles by over 172,000 miles, saving on the shipping of 21,150 tonnes of oat husks around the UK.
Quaker has already reduced its carbon footprint (per kilo of product) by 5% between 2006 and 2007 (from 0.082 KgCO2Kg product to 0.077 KgCO2Kg product).
Quaker was a founder member of Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF), which helps farmers make a positive environmental contribution by improving their growing and harvesting practices, and their use of water and fertiliser.
At PepsiCo, we have a clear strategy to reduce our impact on the environment, focussing on three key areas: minimising our use of energy and water, reducing our packaging and waste, and tackling our carbon footprint. For further information see our Environmental Sustainability report at: www.pepsico.comPEP_Citizenshipsustainabilityindex.cfm
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, with 2006 annual revenues of more than $35 billion. The company operates in nearly 200 countries, and employs more than 168,000 people worldwide. Its principal businesses include: Frito-Lay snacks, Pepsi-Cola beverages, Gatorade sports drinks, Tropicana juices and Quaker foods. The PepsiCo portfolio includes 17 brands that generate $1 billion or more each in annual retail sales. PepsiCo's commitment to sustainable growth, defined as Performance with Purpose, is focused on generating healthy financial returns while giving back to communities the company serves. This includes meeting consumer needs for a spectrum of convenient foods and beverages, replenishing the environment through water, energy and packaging initiatives, and supporting its employees through a diverse and inclusive environment that recruits and retains world-class talent. The company is listed on the Dow Jones North America Sustainability Index. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com
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