Valio phases out the use of natural gas in Riihimäki
Valio will phase out the use of natural gas in energy production at Riihimäki dairy plant with the help of energy partner Adven. Energy production in Riihimäki was converted to biofuels already before, and natural gas has been used for heating only in the coldest weather. Now the natural gas boilers are replaced by an electric boiler. Electricity produced with renewable energy helps Valio on its path towards carbon neutrality in the future.
Continuous electricity distribution for food factories is a must in order for the Finnish food supply to run without interruptions. Valio’s dairy plants are generally in operation all the time, as milk is delivered to the factories every day around the clock. That’s why uninterrupted electricity supply is a prerequisite for the operation of Valio’s factories.
“Natural gas has been in use in Riihimäki factories for a longer time with a small load, and in this kind of use, the efficiency of natural gas is poor. In addition, to Valio’s goal is to reset milk’s carbon footprint to zero by 2035. This means phasing out fossil fuels such as natural gas “, says Peter Fabritius, Energy Manager at Valio.
Valio has two production plants in Riihimäki, a snack plant completed in 2017 and the Herajoki dairy plant, which has been operating since the late 1960s, and was previously known as Riihimäki dairy. The Herajoki plant produces milk, buttermilk and cream. The new snack factory produces yogurt for domestic use and for export as well as plant based Oddlygood® goods.
At Riihimäki, electricity is needed in operating the equipment and in cooling the milk. Heat is needed, for example, in the heat treatment of the fresh products, in washing and in heating the properties.
Adven has been producing energy as a service for Valio in Riihimäki since 2003. The biofuel plant, located at the plant area, was commissioned by Adven in 2009. The efficiency of a new electric boiler is much higher than the efficiency of the old natural gas boilers. The electric boiler will use carbon-neutral electricity in the future, which helps to further reduce carbon dioxide emissions by c. 1700 tons per year.
“In food production, security of energy supply is very important. Supplementing the current steam boilers with an electric boiler is an energy-efficient and reliable solution for Valio’s production”, says Jussi Hirvonen, Adven’s Key Account Manager.
Adven is Valio’s long-term partner and provides energy services at Valio’s production facilities all over Finland.
Adven has been producing energy as a service for Valio in Riihimäki since 2003.
Valio – The world’s most innovative dairy and food company
Valio’s mission is to create wellbeing and taste sensations in a responsible way. We make tasty products from milk and many other ingredients. We bring delightful tastes, variety, and joy to the food table. We also carry out important roles in society: ensuring food security, enhancing public health, and improving animal welfare are some examples of our impacts.
4,000 Finnish dairy farmers own Valio through cooperatives. We pay out all the profits to our milk producers through the milk price. We employ a total of 25,000 people at dairy farms. Valio has 4,000 professionals at work from different sectors and we listen to consumers with our more than 100 years of experience.
Nobel Laureate A.I. Virtanen’s legacy continues to live on at Valio. When he headed Valio’s laboratories, the concept of improving the wellbeing of people took root as our guiding principle. We turn science into products that make life better. Consumers in more than 60 countries enjoy Valio products, and we have 350 patents for our innovations around the world. We are Finland’s biggest food exporter and a trailblazer for the whole food industry. Valio’s sales in 2021 were EUR 1,918 million.
For more information:
Adven
Jussi Hirvonen, Key Account Manager, jussi.hirvonen@adven.com, +358 40 340 9170
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