Unilever opens savoury foods plant in South Africa

British-Dutch consumer goods group Unilever has opened a R670m ($82.23m) savoury foods plant at Riverhorse Valley in Durban, South Africa.

The plant, named Indosa will be used for products under the Knorr, Robertson’s, Knorrox, Aromat and Rajah brands.

The plant has an annual production capacity of 65,000t, with potential for expansion up to 100,000t, and is expected to achieve full production by the first quarter of 2012.

It is the company’s fifth facility in South Africa but, according to Unilever, Indosa is the first plant that advances its focus on sustainable green technology, as it aims to deliver a 50% reduction in energy use and carbon dioxide emissions.

Unilever South Africa chairman Marijn van Tiggelen said that the advanced technology in operation at Indonsa sets new global standards in responsible and sustainable dry food production.

"It embodies our resolve to simultaneously improve the lives of people and to entrench respect for the environment," said van Tiggelen.

The plant features energy efficiently controlled zoned lighting to reduce carbon, and insulation methods to reduce heat loads from the sun, which in turn reduces air conditioning requirements.

Indosa also uses efficient motors drive mixers and air compressors to cut down energy requirement levels substantially, and recycles solid waste to the extent that nothing goes to landfill.

Water saving is achieved at the facility through the roof, which channels rainwater into tank, where it is treated with the help of water efficiency technology. This facilitates the recovery of 70% of all water used in production phases, eliminating the need for municipal supply.

Unilever South Africa, headquartered in Durban, employs 2, 700 people. It has manufacturing facilities in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Boksburg.

Caption: Unilver’s savoury dry food plant in South Africa advances the company’s focus on sustainable green technology, as it will deliver a 50% reduction in energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. (Image courtesy of Unilever.)