COSSÉ-LE-VIVIEN, FRANCE — On Feb. 15, Oterra debuted an innovative biomass boiler at its Cossé-le-Vivien site, accelerating its decarbonization efforts. According to Oterra, the biomass boiler will allow it to reduce Scope 1 emissions and contribute to the company’s sustainability.
The Cossé-le-Vivien site was founded in 1929 and specializes in the production of colors from natural sources. The new 3.5 MW biomass boiler will help the company reduce its CO2e emissions by more than 3,000 tons annually, according to Oterra.
The biomass boiler covers more than 82% of the site’s steam requirements, in addition to a new gas steam boiler providing backup support, the company shared. Designed and implemented by ENGIE Solutions, the biomass boiler uses wood chip byproducts from the woodland and agroforestry industry, all sourced within 150 kilometers (about 93 miles) of the plant. This, according to Oterra, builds on its commitment to local, renewable energy and sustainable resource management.
“Our sustainability strategy is intricately linked to our main goal – to make natural food and drink easy for a sustainable and healthy world,” said Luc Ganivet, general manager of Oterra France. “We are actively addressing climate impact as a central part of our strategy, with our targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), confirming our commitment to a 1.5-degree pathway.”
The project received support with a subsidy of approximately €1.8 million (approximately $1.9 million USD) from the 2020 Biomass Heart for Industry, Agriculture and Tertiary Sectors (BICAT) project led by The French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME ). Biomass boiler sourcing follows BICAT requirements and ensures responsible practices.
“The Biomass Heat Industry Agriculture Tertiary (BCIAT) call for projects launched annually by ADEME enables companies to decarbonize their processes while relying on locally sourced biomass resources, and in thus contributing to the economic development of the region,” said Benoît LACROIX, regional deputy director of ADEME in Pays de la Loire, France.
Oterra’s investment in biomass boilers also underscores the company’s dedication to environmental stewardship, innovation and collaboration.
“Replacing the old fuel boiler with a biomass boiler at the Cossé-le-Vivien site is a significant step forward to reduce Oterra’s direct emissions,” Ganivet said. “This investment is estimated to give us an impressive 25% reduction in our Scope 1 impacts annually, equivalent to taking 700 petrol-powered vehicles off the roads for an entire year or planting about 50,000 tree seedlings and letting them grow for 10 years.”
Read more about sustainability efforts throughout the pet food and treat industry.
