Green light for cargill digester

The digester will capture and convert cassava effluent into more than 2,400 tonnes of methane gas per year that will be used to generate onsite energy.

The project will also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere by 510,000 tonnes over a 10-year period. Co-products from the process will be used as organic fertiliser to enrich local farmland and to reduce the use of fertilisers.

"We are excited to develop this innovative method of starch wastewater management," said Paitoon Uthaisang, general manager for Cargill Starches and Sweeteners Thailand.

"The digester will substantially reduce pathogens while creating a powerful renewable energy source which will help us in reducing our overall operating costs."

The digester is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of this month. The project will generate carbon credits that can be traded on global climate exchanges. It has been submitted for registration with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

"This is a great example of a proactive approach to environmental stewardship," said Cargill Environmental Finance Asia general manager Michael Loefler.

"This project goes far beyond what regulations require by law and it demonstrates Cargill's commitment to responsible and sustainable starch production. It sets a new standard for the global starch industry and contributes to the reduction of Cargill's environmental footprint."

Starches and Sweeteners Asia has locations and offices in China, Thailand, Australia and Singapore. It is a wholly owned business unit of US-based Cargill, an international provider of food, agricultural and risk-management products and services.

With 158,000 employees in 66 countries, the company is committed to using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers and help them succeed.