A MEARNS firm is leading the way when it comes to green energy and is set to become the first manufacturer to make food ingredients using the power of wood chips.
Work on a multi million pound 1.2MW biomass boiler, the first of its kind in Scotland, is now complete at Macphie of Glenbervie
Built with support from the Scottish Government, it was officially opened by Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainab
le Growth, John Swinney.
Annually it will use 5,000 tonnes of locally-sourced wood chips to generate 1,900kg of steam per hour, which will be fed directly to its factory to produce sweet and savoury sauces, desserts and fruit coulis.
This will reduce the company's CO2 emissions by 2,100 tonnes annually.
The biomass boiler is seen as the first step in the company's renewable energy plans. Macphie hopes to erect three 1.3MW wind turbines, which would provide the bulk of its electricity needs and save 8,200 tonnes of CO2.
The business is located on the Glenbervie estate, which has been in Macphie ownership for 700 years. Manufacturing began in 1973 with 20 staff - today sales are in excess of £40m and it employs 300 people.
Macphie Chief Executive, Alastair Macphie, said: "Macphie is at the forefront of sustainable business.
"Like all manufacturers we're facing mounting pressure to find ways of reducing our overheads and limiting our impact on the environment. The rising cost of oil and electricity is making it difficult to remain competitive.
"Every pound we can save, is potentially, another pound we can use to develop new and exciting products."
"The local infrastructure cannot supply our future energy needs without affecting local households. We had to take matters into our own hands to safeguard continuity of supply, reduce our annual electricity bill and remain competitive in the long-term. Investing in our own clean, renewable energy sources is the right thing to do and it makes sense both environmentally and commercially."
Mr Swinney, said: "This is exactly the type of project I want to see in businesses across Scotland - innovative green energy schemes to tackle climate change and promote sustainable solutions to current problems like energy prices.
"This is an excellent example of renewable energy securing a sustainable and viable future for Scotland's key food and drinks sector."
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