Arla Foods Ingredients has achieved CO2 savings of around 60,000 metric tons a year by using energy from biogas. The company is also investing in its dry blend lactose production capacity, helping infant formula manufacturers cut their emissions by as much as 25 percent.

The two initiatives are part of Green Ambition 2050, the sustainability strategy of parent company, Arla Foods, which aims to become carbon net-zero by 2050.

“Arla Foods Ingredients has always been an example of a circular economy because we convert whey, which used to be considered waste, into high-value food and nutrition products,” says Henrik Andersen, CEO at Arla Foods Ingredients. 

“Now we’re taking new steps to reduce our carbon footprint and help protect the environment for future generations. Reducing our use of fossil fuels and investing in greener energy sources such as biogas is an essential element of this ambition.” 

Switch to renewables cuts emissions 
Arla Foods Ingredients and Arla Foods have received methane from a biogas plant since 2019. The biomass it processes primarily comprises manure from Arla farms, as well as production waste.

At each of Arla Foods Ingredients’ two largest production plants, there are two 4,000 horsepower biogas engines. They convert the methane into over 50 GWh of electricity each year – equivalent to the amount used by 11,600 households. 

In 2019, CO2 emissions from the two plants totaled 105,000 metric tons. Without the use of biogas, they would have emitted 167,000 – a reduction of 62,000 metric tons. A similar saving is forecast for 2020, despite increased production.

Now greener sources such as biogas supply over 30 percent of the energy needs of the company’s production facilities in Denmark.

Aiding infant formula manufacturers to do the same
The company also helps its customers meet their sustainability targets. For example, it offers a dry blend lactose that helps infant formula manufacturers reduce their energy usage. 

Lactose is usually supplied in a wet blend, which has to be heat-treated and spray-dried before packaging – a highly energy-intensive process. 

Arla Foods Ingredients offers a dry blend version to support more sustainable production, which can be added after the other ingredients have been mixed. 

Because manufacturers do not need to dissolve the blend and spray-dry it again, they can reduce their CO2 emissions by as much as 25 percent – or up to 150 kg of CO2 per metric ton of finished product.  

Arla Foods Ingredients estimates total CO2 savings from customers using its dry blend lactose to be as high as 24,400 metric tons.

In addition to saving energy, manufacturers can dramatically increase their output without significant capital investment, says the company.

“Like us, our customers are increasingly focused on becoming more energy-efficient, and the use of dry blend lactose is a great way for formula manufacturers to reduce their emissions,” Andersen notes.

“By increasing the amount we’re able to offer them, we hope to help them meet their sustainability goals,”