ABP is aiming to reduce emissions at its Clones site in Co. Monaghan by 80% through the installation of a new water heating system, in a partnership with the ESB.
The water heating system, which the meat processor called “state of the art”, will lead to a reduction in emissions of 1,692t of carbon dioxide (CO2), which equates to the emissions from 627,032L of diesel, or the home heating oil usage of 268 homes for one year, ABP said.
This is a pilot project at the Clones site, and ABP said it is in the process of replicating it at other facilities.
The heating system recycles the lost heat generated by refrigeration units, using it to heat the water used for cleaning, processing and hygiene on site. The result, according to ABP, is that only a small amount of water needs to be heated using a smaller, new and efficient gas boiler.
The heating system principle is similar to the air to water heat pump system used in domestic homes. However, this system boosts waste heat instead of air.
The food business said the installation of the heating system forms part of ABP’s overall sustainability strategy and is part of a decarbonisation plan that aims to reduce scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 42% from 2021 to 2030 across all its sites in Ireland, the UK and Europe.
A business’ scope 1 emissions are those directly produced by a business’ activities, while its scope 2 emissions are those produced in the provision of electricity, heating and other requirements.
ABP said it is “continually adopting measures” to reduce its carbon footprint and improve its “sustainable approach”.
The business said that its sustainability strategy “runs through every aspect of ABP’s supply chain, from farms to processing sites and the end consumer”; and that the “decoupling of resource usage and productivity” is a key feature of this strategy.
Kevin Cahill, managing director of ABP Ireland and Poland, said: “This is a very exciting innovative project for ABP and an important step in our drive for greater sustainability.
“This will result in an enormous reduction in the carbon footprint and go a long way to achieving our carbon reduction targets,” Cahill added.
Ciaran Gallagher, head of smart energy services at the ESB, said: “This is a significant milestone in our mission to support businesses in achieving their sustainability goals. By partnering with ABP, we will demonstrate the transformative impact of advanced heat pump technology on reducing carbon footprints and enhancing energy efficiency.
“Our collaboration underscores the critical role of innovative solutions in driving progress towards net zero targets,” Gallagher added.