In the media - Bilfinger Tebodin: ‘Despite hurdles ahead with sustainability’

01/03/2023

More and more food producers are ready to implement sustainable measures after the study phase. However, they may encounter some hefty hurdles. Yet that need not stop companies from making progress, says Aart-Jan Smit of Bilfinger Tebodin. “Take small steps where you can.”

One of the 2030 goals is to reduce CO2 emissions by 49 percent. When it comes to sustainability, many food producers are still in the study phase. In this phase, they are gaining a better understanding of the impact of these measures on production and costs. Companies that have the plans ready and want to move on to implementation find out that in some cases not everything is possible, or not right away.

Take small steps with insulation, sustainable equipment, heat pumps and solar panels.

Capacity deficit

Electrification is a good example according to Aart-Jan Smit. “That sounds good, but there is not enough capacity available on the grid in all cases. Companies can apply to municipalities, stating that there is an obligation from the Sustainable Development Goals and that electrification will contribute to that, but other than that they have little influence. So electrification is not always immediately feasible, with new construction being even more difficult than existing premises.”

Risks

Bilfinger Tebodin is working with two other engineering firms on behalf of TenneT on projects to adapt the high-voltage grid. “That is going in the right direction,” Smit knows. “On the other hand, Bilfinger Tebodin is designing an above-ground installation for Gasunie to inject hydrogen into empty underground salt caverns for storage. This installation will be an important part of the hydrogen infrastructure in the Netherlands.” According to Smit, it is important to make clients aware of the risks. “Don’t wait until, say, 2028 because you think you can meet the targets in two years. Implementation takes time.”

Short term

So what is feasible in the short term? Smit: “We like to think along with you about this. This is often client-specific, but think about insulating existing spaces, adapting processes to make production more sustainable and replacing outdated equipment with high energy consumption. If you look at heat pumps and solar panels, you have to deal with delivery times that are not very favorable at the moment, so get this going in good time.”

Energy guzzlers

According to Smit, it is crucial to deploy solutions such as heat pumps at companies where the impact is greatest. “Those are the big energy guzzlers like spray dryers, because that process eats energy. There are now opportunities to combine a spray dryer with a heat pump that reduces your energy consumption quite a bit.” Smit wonders aloud if perhaps the process itself needs to be looked at. “The skew of spray dryers: they create powders mainly for logistics and shelf life. Those powders go to the client as a raw material or as a finished product to the consumer and the first thing they do it dissolve the powders again. It is certainly interesting to think about a solution with producer, processor and wholesaler.”

Companies also need to think about circularity, according to Aart-Jan Smit: Anything you can make circular now is a step.

Staff shortage

In addition to an inadequate power grid and long delivery times for durable components, staff shortages are a third hurdle. “Many food companies therefore focus on producing their products and place other issues such as engineering and maintenance with external parties. We try to respond to this by providing our clients with site support. So we do not just do projects, we can also provide a team that will assist them with that.”

Total solution for sustainability

Companies want a total solution to meet sustainability goals, according to Smit. “A design, build and run solution for design, implementation, start-up and possibly even maintenance. We can offer this partnership together with Bilfinger Life Science, our sister organization, specialized in the implementation and maintenance of production.”

Payback period secondary

A crucial factor for any investment is the payback period. At least, it always has been. A number of companies are now making different decisions. “We are working on a project together with a Dutch multinational,” says Smit. “We have completed the study phahse and are also going to do the implementation. Previously, an investment had to be recouped in a short period of time, otherwise it was a no go. They have moved away from that. Payback periods are of secondary importance to this multinational company, with affordability still playing an important role. The focus is entirely on achieving sustainability goals. Sustainability is above costs.” An example for other companies? “From a climate perspective, it would indeed be good if more companies took this step,” Smit says. “But not every company is financially capable of doing so.”

Small steps

Despite hurdles, companies do need to move forward with sustainability, Smit says. “Take small steps where you can, for example with insulation, sustainable equipment, heat pumps and solar panels. And make a plan for the longer term. That way it remains manageable. But then it may take longer to reach your goals. The more the 2030 deadline approaches, the greater the pressure on food producers to become more sustainable. Map out whether those small steps are enough to meet the ultimate goals, or whether more drastic investments are needed before 2030.”

The more the 2030 deadline approaches, the greater the pressure will be on food producers to become more sustainable.

Not complex

Companies should also think about circularity, even if that is only a 2050 goal. “Anything you can make circular now is a step. In the end, it also makes money, so why not do it? There are quite a few companies already working on it. Think about reusing heat that you normally blow outside. That is a small step. Circularity is not always as complex as people think.”