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Aurivo has announced that measures it has taken over the last five years has led to a 50% reduction in carbon emissions at its milk processing plants.
In total €37m has been invested in the last three years to put the western co-op on a strong sustainable footing.
Aurivo is on a journey to achieve a target of processing 500ml litres by 2022
In a series of videos launched today the processor highlighted how heat pump technology utilised in it liquid milk plant has reduced fossil fuel consumption by 80%.
Aurivo CEO Donal Tierney said: “Aurivo is on a journey to achieve a target of processing 500ml litres by 2022. By way of achieving positive and ambitious targets, we aim to do so in a sustainable way, ensuring operational excellence and long-term growth for the co-operative into the future.”
Aurivo outlined three areas of work on sustainability.
Actions
The first area is reducing its carbon footprint.The co-op aims to reduce road miles on the 500m litres of milk it delivers every year across 14 counties. Oil has been replaced with woodchip to produce half of the heat energy to process milk and reduced carbon emissions by 50%.
Along with heat pump technology to reduce fossil fuel consumption at its liquid milk site, a new packing machine produces fully renewable milk cartons. These are manufactured from sugarcane and paperboard. In 2020 Aurivo will move to bio-based cartons for all milk.
We strive to reduce our carbon footprint through improvement and innovation
Clean energy light technology has delivered significant energy savings, the co-op said: “As production increases, water and electrical efficiencies come from operational excellence and new technologies. Partners have recognised and awarded Aurivo as a Most Sustainable Business.
“We strive to reduce our carbon footprint through improvement and innovation.”
A detailed video of the sustainability work undertaken can be viewed here.
Farmers
Aurivo farmers operate high standards of animal welfare, it said.
“Through our farm programmes, we work with farmers to reach targets for grass-based dairy. Our annual Milk Quality Awards recognise these champions. We strive to pay the highest milk price to our milk suppliers to ensure their business is sustainable.”
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