Hoersholm / DK. (hnc) With the unveiling of the state-of-the-art 3.5 MW biomass boiler at the Cossé-le-Vivien site in France, Oterra A/S is taking an important step on its path to decarbonization. Oterra, the world’s leading supplier of natural colors, has chosen to mark the occasion by inviting distinguished guests, including Christophe Langouët, Mayor of Cossé-le-Vivien, and Benoît LaCroix, regional deputy director of Ademe Pays de la Loire. Leading the inauguration ceremony are Luc Ganivet, general manager of Oterra France, and Hervé Presa, Pays de la Loire regional director at Engie Solutions.
Established in Cossé-le-Vivien since 1929, now owned by the Danish group, the site specializes in producing color from natural sources. Now Oterra cements its commitment to sustainability by accelerating decarbonization through the implementation of a biomass boiler and thereby reducing CO2e emission with more than 3,000 tons annually.
(Photo: Oterra A/S – Oterra France in Cossé-le-Vivien)
Oterra enroute to meet ambitious Scope 1 targets with 25 percent CO2e reduction
The biomass boiler effectively covers over 82 percent of the site’s steam requirements and with this new biomass boiler setup, and with a new gas steam boiler to provide backup and support. The new setup has been designed and implemented by Engie Solutions. The 3.5 MW biomass boiler efficiently utilizes wood chip byproducts from woodland and agroforestry residue, sourced from within 150 kilometres of the plant – one more commitment to local, renewable energy and sustainable resource management.
The project secured victory in the 2020 Bciat call for projects, Biomass Heat for Industry, Agriculture, and Tertiary Sectors, led by Ademe, with a subsidy of EUR 1.8 million. The biomass boiler’s operation and biomass sourcing adhere to Bciat requirements, ensuring responsible practices with 80 percent wood chips and 20 percent wood by-products sourced from local forests, woodlands, and agroforestry residues.
«Our sustainability strategy is intricately linked with our core purpose – making natural food and beverage easy for a sustainable and healthy world. We actively address climate impact as a central part of our strategy, with our targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), confirming our commitment to a 1.5-degree pathway,» said Luc Ganivet, GM Oterra France.
Ganivet: «Replacing the old fuel boiler with the biomass boiler at the Cossé-le-Vivien site is a significant step forward to reduce Oterra’s direct emissions. This investment is estimated to give us an impressive 25 percent reduction of our Scope 1 impacts annually, equivalent to removing 700 petrol-powered cars from the roads a full year or planting close to 50,000 tree seedlings and letting them grow for 10 years.»
Hervé Presa, Pays de la Loire regional director at Engie Solutions: «We are honored to support Oterra in this strategic phase of decarbonization with a local and sustainable solution, showcasing the expertise of our teams.»
Benoît Lacroix, regional deputy director of Ademe Pays de la Loire: «The Biomass Heat Industry Agriculture Tertiary (Bciat) call for projects launched annually by Ademe enables companies to decarbonize their processes while relying on locally sourced biomass resources, thereby contributing to the economic development of the region.»
Oterra’s investment in the biomass boiler at the Cossé-le-Vivien site underscores their dedication to environmental stewardship, innovation, and collaboration. This initiative not only signifies a pivotal moment in their decarbonization efforts but also highlights their proactive approach towards achieving a more sustainable future.
