Arla Foods reduces energy consumption

Reduced energy consumption and greater efficiency is saving Arla Foods in Sweden in excess of 14 million Swedish kronor per year, approx. USD 2 million. Arla Foods environmental plan for the years up to 2010 aimes at reducing consumption of water and energy by 5 per cent each.

Arla Foods is participating in the Swedish energy authorities’ Programme for Energy Efficiency. During 2006, all Arla Foods Sweden’s units were accredited to a so-called energy management system and as a result, Arla Foods is now exempt from energy tax on electricity at 0.5 öre/kWh.

"The tax exemption means savings of approx. SEK 1 milllion per year, which combined with the efficiency measures already implemented – and will be implemented – over the programme’s five-year lifetime, is likely to save approx. SEK 14 million annually by the end of the programme," says Lars-Erik Stöllman, Project Manager for Energy and Environment at Corporate Quality & Environment, Health & Safety.

Installation of sectional lighting
The plant at Götene was the first to be accredited. The initiatives at Götene include the installation of sectional lighting to avoid illuminating the whole of the chilled store. Due to fewer burning lights, there will be a reduced need for chilling.

"During 2006, we achieved improvements corresponding to around SEK 500,000 in energy savings and a further 230,000 in saved energy tax," says Environmental Engineer Kent Johansson from Götene.

Over the past three years, Linköping dairy has reduced its energy consumption to the value of SEK 6 million, partly by cutting down on waste and water consumption.
Note: SEK 1 = USD 0.14

Facts/Arla Foods and the environment

• In 2006, Arla Foods completed an environmental plan for the years up to 2010 aimed at reducing consumption of water and energy by 5 per cent each.
• The dairies’ water consumption has been continually reduced through increased use of recycled water and the dairies’ own awareness of the need for better environmental practices.
• Within production, investment in new technology and stronger focus on cost savings has, so far, reduced energy consumption by around 5 per cent and thus lowered CO2 and NOx pkt emissions to air.