Palsgaard has announced it has achieved CO2-neutrality at its Mexican plant, which represents another step towards the company’s planned global zero-carbon footprint by the end of 2020.
On 16 March in 2016, Palsgaard’s Mexican branch achieved reaching CO2-neutrality with a well-attended event held at the company’s facilities in San Luís Potosí. Alongside local politicians, customers, scholers, and employees, guests included the ambassador of Denmark-Mexico Henrik Bramsen Hahn, Danish-Mexo Energy and Climate Programme representative Ulla Blatt Bendtsen, and Secretariat of Ecology and Environmental Management representative Yvette Salazar Torres.
In his speech, Bramsen Hahn said: "Palsgaard has been a pioneer for Danish companies and an example to follow in the use of renewable energy in its production processes, which has allowed them to improve their productivity and competitiveness.
"Palsgaard is demonstrating some of the values that Denmark has, such as efficiency, social responsibility, and environmental awareness and is an example to follow for other companies that want to increase their energy efficiency and implement green solutions".
Palsgaard Mexico has been working actively to achieve its goal since 2012 when the company first began installing solar panels on factory roofs. Today, more than 400 solar panels generate 95% of electrical energy needed to run the factory.
Other projects, such as piping insulation, calorific energy recovery from steam condensates, reductions of energy consumption through LED lamps, and by using natural light via translucent ceiling sheets have also helped reduce emissions.
In 2016, the remaining CO2 emissions related to LPG Gas consumption and 5% of electricity from non-renewable sources was compensated through the purchase of carbon off-sets through the provider MEXICO2. Deloitte has verified that Palsgaard Mexico has achieved a zero-carbon footprint for 2016.
In 2017, the company will continue working to diminish the CO2 emissions by improving the energy usage efficiency. As it is, Mexico has a national target of having a 35% clean energy supply by 2024, so Palsgaard Mexico has not only reached the national target, but reached 100% CO2 neutrality eight years ahead of time.
Managing director for Palsgaard Mexico Miguel Hidalgo said: "For us, social responsibility is part of our daily lives.
"This declaration of CO2 neutrality is a clear example of our conviction, commitment and responsibility in contributing to caring for our environment.
"We don’t just talk, we act, and this declaration of CO2 neutrality is an example of the actions we take. We expect to be an example and motivator for other companies and institutions to undertake projects related to social responsibility. We are convinced that together we can contribute to the development of a better society and care for our environment".
When asked if it is worth the efforts to focus so strongly on CO2-neutrality, Palsgaard’s chief executive officer (CEO) Jakob Thoisen states: "Yes. Caring for the environment goes beautifully hand-in-hand with good business. In fact, if we compile all the things we have implemented so far, waste straw as an energy source, solar panels, wind energy, bio fuel, savings on insolation and heat recovery, then we are talking about very good business.
"This as well because more and more of our customers are becoming environmentally conscious and they appreciate our efforts, because we can help them satisfy the needs and demands of the consumers."
Caring for the environment is high on Palsgaard’s agenda, not only within CO2-reductions but also within sustainable palm oil as the company has made adjustments to be able to offer its full range of palm-based emulsifiers as RSPO SG certified.
Celebrating the CO2-neutrality of its Mexican branch is not the only event on Palsgaard’s calendar this year as the company also prepares to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of founder Einar Viggo Schou’s invention of the modern commercial emulsifier, the Palsgaard Emulsion Oil.
