The production of food and beverages requires significant amounts of energy, particularly for heating and cooling raw materials. Finnish food industry companies have long been committed to improving energy efficiency. In fact, the industry-wide energy-saving target set for year 2025 was achieved ahead of schedule in 2022.
The Finnish food sector has been implementing energy efficiency measures in line with voluntary energy efficiency agreements since 2008. Between 2017 and 2023, food and drink companies participating in the agreement carried out a total of 859 energy efficiency measures, resulting in annual energy savings of 302 GWh.
Of these measures, 22 per cent were related to heating systems, 17 per cent to processes and process equipment, and 16 per cent to ventilation systems. Other initiatives included adjustments and modifications related to lighting, cooling, and steam and condensate systems.
As companies set goals for carbon neutrality and emissions reduction, energy consumption plays a crucial role. By improving energy efficiency, companies can reduce both their direct emissions (Scope 1) and indirect emissions from purchased energy (Scope 2).
Paulig: Coffee roasting with ernergy efficiency in mind
One Finnish food industry company that has improved its energy efficiency is Paulig. In 2020, Motiva awarded Paulig the Smart Energy prize for its solution that captures waste heat from the roasting process and feeds it into the district heating network—an amount of energy sufficient to heat around a thousand apartment units.
Paulig’s next steps include optimizing heating, cooling, and electricity usage in its facilities. The company is also exploring the possibility of establishing its own solar power plant.
Panda: Cutting energy consumption in a confectionery factory
Panda, a member of the Orkla Group, has been producing confectionery for over a hundred years. Over the past decade, multiple energy optimization measures have been implemented at its Vaajakoski factory.
For example, the efficiency of the steam systems has been improved. Excess process steam is recovered, and the heat captured from it is used to preheat utility water.
In 2023, the factory launched the largest energy efficiency project in its history. The goal is to recover waste heat generated in the production process and use it to heat the facility. This investment is expected to reduce the factory’s energy consumption by 15–20 per cent.
Read more: Energy Efficiency Agreements in Finland
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