Wednesday 08 November – Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) has taken a significant stride towards environmental stewardship by introducing advanced waste-to-energy technology within its layer farm operations, facilitating the production of eggs with a reduced carbon footprint. The firm’s Jakarat and Phoprathabchang layer farms have earned the Thailand Energy Awards 2022 from the Ministry of Energy for their commitment to alternative energy.
By integrating biogas systems, these farms have curtailed energy consumption, lessening reliance on Thailand’s national grid, managed by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). CP Foods’ investment in innovative energy solutions underlines its dedication to ecological protection and operational effectiveness.
Somkid Wannalukkhee, the Head of CP Foods’ Layer Business, attributes the farms’ accolades to their employment of cutting-edge technology for optimal resource utilization. This approach ensures the production of superior quality, fresh, safe, and antibiotic-free eggs. The farms’ practices advance sustainability throughout the supply chain, enhanced by an automated egg conveyor system that minimizes energy expenditure in transportation and trims production waste. The farms’ biogas system, which converts chicken manure into energy, notably diminishes odors and achieves a zero-waste impact on the surrounding communities. Furthermore, the farms contribute to agricultural sustainability by providing neighbouring farmers with sludge as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers, thereby enhancing soil quality and reducing expenses.
The biogas installations at the Jakarat and Phoprathabchang sites generate a combined total of 4 million kilowatt-hours of energy per year, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2,477 tons of CO2 equivalent. This initiative substantially reduces electricity costs by substituting 70-80% of their energy needs with biogas instead of conventional grid power.
Somkid highlighted CP Foods’ ongoing initiatives, including the expansion of solar panel installations, as the company aims to achieve ‘RE100 Layer Farm’ status, indicating a transition to exclusively renewable energy in layer farm operations.
CP Foods has implemented biogas systems in layer farms across Thailand to convert waste into renewable energy. In egg packaging, the company exclusively uses recycled materials, furthering environmental responsibility. The U Farm Brand’s Cage-Free eggs are recognized as Asia and Thailand’s inaugural Carbon Neutral certified products. In addition, 21 varieties of Cage-Free and Fresh Eggs packaging have been awarded a global warming reduction label by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization. These measures accentuate CP Foods’ commitment to providing eco-friendly products and its ambition to reach Net-Zero emissions by 2050.
