Whey from Arla to be used for biogas production
Monday, August 22, 2011
As of 1st February 2012 Maabjerg BioEnergy is to receive all
whey, which is a residue from the production of cream cheese at the
Arla dairy in Holstebro. Annually, this amounts to 98,000 tonnes of
whey which is expected to turn into 3,5 - 4 million cubic metres of
biogas.
So far Arla has sold whey as animal feed in the local farming
community. But when the construction of Maabjerg BioEnergy is done,
a more environment friendly alternative awaits, says dairy CTO Lene
Bjerg Jacobsen:
"Arla is concerned about nature - right from the milk pickup at
the suppliers to the delivery of products in stores. Therefore
we're also concerned about where the whey goes when we're done
making cream cheese. The production of biogas is the most effective
- and at the same time gentle - way of giving whey back to
nature."
As part of the agreement Maabjerg BioEnergy will handle the
transportation of whey from the dairy to the bioenergy facility.
The two sites are less than a mile apart. If local authorities give
the go-ahead, a pipeline will be established, thus skipping the
need for road transport altogether.
CEO at Maabjerg BioEnergy Jørgen Udby is pleased with the
deal.
"Maabjerg BioEnergy already made arrangements for receiving
450,000 tonnes of slurry. But we will have a much better bio
process at the plant when we can add other types of biomass. It's a
bit like in the old days when you threw a dead chicken in the
septic tank to boost the process," he says.
The parties do not wish to disclose the financial details of their
agreement, but both parties are smiling, which is usually a good
sign.
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Siden er opdateret Wednesday, August 31, 2011
