SUSTAINABILITY
'Sustainability', which is a trendy social and political term today and a collective term, has been a common thread running through PinguinLutosa's activities for a long time. Five current objectives related to sustainability and good corporate citizenship include:
- food safety and sustainable agriculture
- quality that meets customer expectations
- job satisfaction and safety
- environmental friendliness
- sustainable economic value for company and shareholders
The sites located in the Flemish region - vegetables (since 2010) and potatoes (since 2006) - are participating actively in the (West Flanders) Sustainable Entrepreneurship Charter - an initiative of the Flemish Government, The Flanders' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Voka), and the Provincial Development Agency. Participating companies undergo an annual external audit based on a proposed and approved plan of action within ten theme areas. The increased participation by PinguinLutosa in the Charter is an expression of the renewed strategy that the company intends to pursue. Achieving a good result through this participation is also an external motivator for the internal personnel and drives attention
and willingness to act in respect of sustainability on the site.
Sustainable agriculture
An agro-sustainability team took an in-depth look at sustainable growing by means of projects in which clients and suppliers also took part. There is a great deal to be learned from the organic growers, but it is also important to find the right balance in traditional agriculture.
Energy
A team of 'energy ambassadors' has been put together within PinguinLutosa to inform personnel and raise awareness within the different units and departments about using energy in a conscious way. Those energy ambassadors also have the responsibility of studying new opportunities and bringing them forward for integration in planning. Since 2008, for example, 100% of the electricity we purchase comes from 100% renewable sources.
Given the nature of our production processes, all production locations are large consumers of energy; saving energy is therefore not only ecologically, but also economically very important. For that reason, a continuous search is underway to find more efficient ways of working and for valorising secondary flows for their energy returns.
Investments in 2 bio-gas burning motors and CHP were made in 2002 and 2005 within the potato division, in collaboration with Electrabel. That makes it possible to use the methane gas released in anaerobic fermentation (in the waterpurification station at each site) to generate electricity and heat that is used directly in the process. Approximately 10% of the electricity requirements of the potato division are met by means of this system.
More info on the cogeneration system...
Since 2006, PinguinLutosa has been actively involved through the audit covenant in the regulations imposed by government concerning CO2 monitoring. That means that the energy-intensive companies have made a binding commitment to optimise the specific energy consumption against a sector-wide benchmark. Compliance with that action plan is inspected annually by the government.
Water
Since the start of the company, all units have invested in a maximum water purification installation and - within the provisions of the food safety and quality requirements - recovered water is used in production. In that way, we strive to reduce the volumes of pumped water as much as possible.
Where possible, the company works with the government to reduce the pressure on the ground-water levels. That is, for example, the situation at Sint-Eloois-Vijve (potato division). Since May 2010, portable water is supplied via the pipeline network (in collaboration with the Flanders Water Authority (VMW)) to reduce the volumes of pumped water proportionally.
Lutosa also aims to recycle its industrial water partially by recovering its starch content as a raw material for the papermaking industry. The sewage sludge are currently used as a soil improver (FERTIPOM).
Waste
A team of environmental managers examines the residual waste on a daily basis in search of new sales markets and new possibilities for recuperation. An important measure in that respect is the absolute reduction of the residual amount and the optimal management and separate collection of all other waste components (cardboard, wood, metals, recyclable plastics, etc.) by internal personnel.
Valorisation of secondary-flows
Our production processes also result in a number of lower-quality (in terms of human consumption) secondary-flows with a high level of energy and nutritional value. It is therefore an absolute company objective to use those products first and foremost in animal feed products. Earning the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate for those secondary flows also shows that those processes are managed with the appropriate degree of care and attention for food safety and food quality.
Carbon footprint
By studying the goods movements and through collaboration with other frozenproducts logistics companies, we are searching for solutions to reduce unnecessary transport movements. Our partnership with Partner Logistics Europe is a start for major CO2 reduction in goods distribution.
The processes of seasonal vegetables in the open air, or full-ground vegetablesfrom our own region, make a major contribution to CO2 reduction through the food chain. Those vegetables are grown in the open air (no greenhouse growing), in the most fertile soils and in a naturally mild and precipitation-rich climate.
