By transforming into energy almost 4,000 metric tons a year of corncobs resulting from its seed production process, Limagrain will considerably limit its Auvergne-based Limagrain Céréales
Ingredients subsidiary's use of gas, and reduce its carbon footprint by over 2,600 metric tons of CO2 a year. This enables Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients to master the energy costs of its corn flour and intermediate products production process.
The project represents an investment of 2.4 million euros for Limagrain. Help with funding Worth 960,000 euros came from several sources: Feder, the renewable heat fund of ADEME, France's
Environment and Energy Management Agency; the Auvergne Regional Council; and the Puy-de-Dôme Departmental Council.
Several experiments were needed to assess the feasibility of this European prototype. Veolia Environnement's R&D teams, in partnership with the Compte-R boiler manufacturer, worked together until they had full control over the combustion cycle of this new energy source and its environmental impact. Corncobs have a heat value twice that of forest residue and have very specific fusibility characteristics. Produced over a period of about two months after the corn is harvested in September and October, the cobs will be stored on site.
Limagrain is formalizing its Corporate Social Responsibility approach and continuing to innovate with the aim of eventually operating in "full cycle". A study is under way on the possibility of spreading the ash from the combustion of the corncobs.
Limagrain
Limagrain is an international agricultural co-operative group, specialized in field seeds, vegetable seeds and cereal products. Founded and managed by farmers, Limagrain is the 4th largest seed company in the world thanks to its holding Vilmorin & Cie, the European leader for functional flours through Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients and No. 3 in France for bakery-viennoiseries-pastries with Jacquet-Brossard. The Group makes annual sales of more than 1.7 billion Euros and It has a headcount of nearly 7,800, spread out over 39 countries, including 1,550 employees in Research. In Auvergne, the Co-operative regroups 3,500 farmer members. It conducts its business within the framework of a global, sustainable vision of agriculture and agri-food based on innovation and regulation of agricultural markets.
Dalkia
A subsidiary of Veolia Environnement and Electricité de France (EDF), Dalkia, a global leader in energy services provides innovative solutions to support the sustainable growth of cities and businesses. In an era of climate change, volatile energy prices and scarce resources, Dalkia offers customers its expertise in developing, constructing and operating greener and more economical energy solutions. With almost 50,000 employees in 35 countries, Dalkia reported managed revenue of €8.9 billion in 2012.
Press contacts
Limagrain
Marie-Laure Joblon
+33 (0)6 33 51 80 33
Dalkia
Nathalie Natta
+33 (0)6 18 01 45 11