Petfood Industry Faces Energy Pressure, Major Retailers Push for Carbon Labels
The animal feed industry, including petfood producers, is facing increasing pressure to reduce energy consumption and lower emissions. Major retail chains are pushing for carbon labels on products, while experts like Prof. Dr. Reckleben from FH Kiel and practitioners such as Stephan Künne are working on innovative solutions like near-infrared sensors (NIRS) for nutrient quantification in liquid manure.
The petfood industry consumes vast amounts of energy, with costs rising and public scrutiny intensifying. To tackle this, companies should start by defining their project scope, which could involve targets for energy reduction or ISO 14000 accreditation. Before detailed measurements, mapping the process helps identify key points for energy measurement.
A designated energy manager, possibly with external support, should oversee the process. This includes thorough planning, measuring consumption, making changes, and validating effects. Measuring no-load and full-load power consumption of electric motors, and testing product samples for quality, are recommended steps. NIRS technology, as employed by FH Kiel and Stephan Künne, can provide real-time data to optimize nutrient use and reduce CO2 emissions. Major retail chains are already committed to slashing carbon footprints and adding carbon labels to products, driving the industry towards more sustainable practices.
Improving performance can lead to significant savings, with potential reductions of up to 25% in energy costs. This should be approached systematically, with key decision-makers endorsing the project from the start.
The petfood industry's energy consumption is a pressing issue, but with systematic approaches, innovative technologies like NIRS, and support from major retailers, significant reductions in CO2 emissions are achievable. By designating an energy manager, measuring consumption, and validating effects, companies can save up to 25% in energy costs and contribute to a more sustainable future.
