Ofi installs circular biomass boilers at cocoa facilities

Olam Food Ingredients (Ofi) has installed two circular biomass boilers at its cocoa processing factories in the Netherlands and Germany.

The boilers use cocoa shells – a byproduct of the production process – as fuel to generate steam, which in turn powers the crafting of cocoa ingredients from Ofi’s brand deZaan at its factories in Koog aan de Zaan, Netherlands, and Mannheim, Germany. The latter is believed to be the first cocoa shell boiler of its kind in the country.

According to Ofi, the boiler at Koog aan de Zaan will reduce natural gas usage and CO² emissions at the facility by 50%. At the Mannheim factory, the second boiler has potential to provide up to 90% of the steam needed to power the facility, saving an estimated 8,000 tonnes of CO² annually.

The new roll-out adds to the circular biomass shell boilers used in Ofi’s factories in Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia and Singapore.

This latest move forms part of Ofi’s ambition for sustainable cocoa, Cocoa Compass, the goals of which include a 30% reduction in natural capital costs by 2030.

Susanne Folkerts, global operations head of sustainability and environment at Ofi said: “We’re taking action to protect the planet and unlock value for our customers so that they can offer their consumers more sustainable choices. From the support we give to farmers worldwide to how we turn their cocoa into high-quality ingredients in our processing factories.”

Folkerts added that the boilers are key in reducing scope 1 and 2 emissions, and making the Cocoa Compass’ ambitions real.

She added: “We’re also playing our part to accelerate the climate agenda of the EU Green Deal, in which moving to a more circular economy is fundamental. We’re thrilled to have been recognized by the Dutch government as a sustainability innovation leader and hope that other manufacturing businesses are inspired to invest in circular biomass as part of their decarbonization journeys.”