Madrid/Pamplona 03 September 2024
Viscofan, a world leader in the production and sale of casings for the food industry, and ENGIE, a global leader in low-carbon energy and services, have signed an agreement for the installation of an innovative biomass boiler at Viscofan's facilities in Cáseda, Navarra (Spain), to generate thermal energy.
This project led by Viscofan is part of its Sustainability Action Plan on which the Group has been working since 2018. The aim is to find pioneering solutions that, from the perspective of circularity, optimise the thermal use of products and lefts over from the production process.
It is the first boiler in the world to be installed that combines forest biomass and cellulosic casing as fuels. Cellulosic casing is a type of casing made from cellulose used in the production of meat products. This collaboration reinforces the commitment of both companies to sustainability and the reduction of carbon emissions, aligning with the principles of circular economy and efficient use of resources.
With an installed capacity of 7.5 tonnes of steam per hour, equivalent to 5 MWt, the new boiler will come on stream in December 2025. It will be built under the BOOT (Build, Own, Operate and Transfer) modality for a period of 15 years. Therefore, ENGIE will be in charge of the management, operation and maintenance of this facility located at the Viscofan plant until 2040.
Energy innovation and circular economy
The new facility stands out for its use of forest-based biomass and cellulosic casing left over from the production process as fuel. The cellulosic casing, of biogenic and 100% vegetable origin, has a high calorific value, which will optimise the plant's energy yield.
Custom engineering that guarantees a unique solution for the project’s challenge, along with the advanced technology planned for this boiler and the flue gas treatment and continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS), , will prevent the emission of around 9,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. In addition, this energy solution that integrates the circular economy will contribute to the recovery of around 4,000 tonnes of cellulose casings per year.
Iñigo Martínez, General Manager of Viscofan Spain, says: ‘This project is the result of many years of work looking for technical and regulatory alternatives to implement circular and sustainable business models. We are delighted to have the collaboration of a leading company like ENGIE with whom we have worked in a very participative way to carry out this pioneering solution in the world that will also help us in our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint’.
Janis Rey, General Manager of ENGIE Solutions in Spain, says: ‘This initiative is a clear example of our commitment to sustainable and innovative energy solutions that not only reduce carbon emissions, but also valorise industrial products that are not destined for sale, thus contributing to a circular economy model. We are proud to collaborate with a leading company like Viscofan on this project, which will have a significant positive impact on both the environment and the local community.
About Viscofan:
For nearly 50 years, Viscofan has been providing access to food to millions of households around the world through its casings, with its own technological development and an outstanding global presence that allows it to distribute its products to more than 100 countries on all continents.
In addition to casings, a sector in which it is a world leader, Viscofan also develops solutions and products in other areas related to access to nutrition and wellness: tubular plastics, packaging and third parties, new edible casings, functional solutions and nutra-medical-pharma products, in addition to the diversification activity, where Viscofan wants to leverage its know-how as a catalyst for innovations to expand into new markets with attractive growth trends in the area of food, wellness and health.
More information about Viscofan at www.viscofan.com or Linkedin
Press contact:
KREAB
viscofan@kreab.com
José Luis González
e-mail: jlgonzalez@kreab.com
Telephone number: + 34 661 850 384
About ENGIE:
ENGIE is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. With its 97,000 employees, customers, partners and stakeholders, the Group is focused on accelerating the transition to a carbon-neutral economy through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally friendly solutions. Inspired by its mission statement, ENGIE is committed to economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on its core businesses (gas, renewables, services) to offer competitive solutions to its customers. Turnover in 2023: 82.6 billion euros. The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented on the main financial (CAC 40, Euronext 100, FTSE Euro 100, MSCI Europe) and non-financial indices (DJSI World, Euronext Vigeo Eiris - Europe 120 / France 20, MSCI EMU ESG screened, MSCI EUROPE ESG Universal Select, Stoxx Europe 600 ESG-X).
About ENGIE SPAIN:
With a significant presence in Spain throughout the energy value chain for more than 25 years and more than 1,700 employees throughout the country, ENGIE's strategy is to produce energy in a highly environmentally friendly way and to accompany its customers on their path towards carbon neutrality. In this way, ENGIE helps to make cleaner energy available and to achieve more sustainable cities and more efficient industries. Its decarbonisation strategy is based on two levers: action on its own energy production, through the development of renewable energies, and the decarbonisation of its customers, through industrial solutions that enable them to reduce their energy costs and CO2 emissions.
ENGIE is the sixth largest generator in the country with an installed capacity of around 3,700 MW, including 1,700 MW of renewable assets - wind, solar and mini-hydro - and 2.000 MW of low carbon flexible generation. Together with its customers, ENGIE develops and manages more than 300 MW of assets that make the energy transition a reality (industrial photovoltaic or solar thermal self-consumption plants, biomass boilers and cogeneration plants). The company also works in energy marketing, trading and management, and is a leading player in the structuring and implementation of long-term renewable energy purchase and sale agreements (PPAs). ENGIE is a leader in heating and cooling networks in Spain (Barcelona, Zaragoza, Pamplona, Palencia, etc.) and has multiple capabilities in the conception, design, commissioning and operation of industrial solutions to help its customers consume less and better energy.
ENGIE's differential value lies in its ability to comprehensively manage the entire energy value chain, taking charge of the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of all types of industrial assets for decarbonisation. These characteristics make ENGIE the benchmark partner in Spain for accelerating the energy transition and building a better and more sustainable future.
Press contact:
KREAB
e-mail: engie@kreab.com
Sonia Gil / Almudena Pitarque
e-mail: sgil@kreab.com / apitarque@kreab.com
Telephone number: + 34 635 186 188 / + 34 635 588 714
