Tuesday 6 October 2020

Arla launches project to convert cow manure to biofuel to reduce transport emissions

Arla has unveiled a project that will convert cow manure to biofuel to shrink the carbon footprint of its dairy delivery trucks.

The trial of the dairy cooperative's project, which takes place in a family farm established in 1963 and located in Buckinghamshire, will see manure from around 500 cows collected, treated on an anaerobic digester and turned into 27,000 kilograms of biofuel to power its milk fleet.

The plan involves two tankers, which have been adapted to run on biofuel, transporting milk between dairy processing sites - these trucks are expected to cover around 90,000 kilometres and help reduce fleet's carbon dioxide emissions by 80 tonnes.

That is the equivalent to 23 car journeys around the world.

The project will also create a natural fertiliser which Arla farmers can put back on to farms, making it a closed loop.

The firm says the success of the project could lead to scaling manure-powered transport opportunities across its value chain.

Graham Wilkinson, Agriculture Director at Arla, said: “Using manure from our farms is helping us reduce our waste and rely less on air-polluting fossil fuels so it’s a no brainer for us.

"With the help of our farmers and partners, we have a fully closed loop which at scale, could be revolutionary in helping fuel a greener future.”