Use of Energy and Raw Materials

As an energy-intensive refiner of agricultural resources, AGRANA continually strives to optimize energy and resource usage and the production process. Since 1990, the company has invested millions in transport, energy supplies, production and packaging and thus reached the Kyoto goals to cut CO2 emissions by 2010 years ago.

Water & Air

Production in the AGRANA plants is defined by creating closed circuit processes. This includes the reprocessing and reuse of water, as well as using as much of the raw material components and any by-products as possible.

Environmentally friendly production inevitably involves paying special attention to cleansing the waste water that is generated during the manufacturing process. Thus continually improving the waste water quality has been a focal point of investment in AGRANA plants for years. The potato fruit water produced by the potato starch plant in Gmünd | Austria, which contains precious minerals found in these tubers, is redirected to the ground in concentrated form. Similarly, in the maize starch plant in Aschach | Austria, the spring water is inspissated and mixed into animal feed, acting as a valuable protein source.

Continual improvement of the production plants as regards safety, ecological compatibility and in particular waste reduction is of key importance to AGRANA.

In cooperation with experts, governmental agencies and abutters, extensive measures have been taken to decrease dust, smell and sound emissions in recent years. Modern biofilters for organic odoriphores cleanse the emissions produced by by-product processing.

Use of By-Products

Sustainable production also means using up any generated by-products as thoroughly as possible.  The sugar and starch plants offer the by-products carbonated lime and potato fruit water as fertilizers and soil conditioners. Sugar beet pulp, potato protein and (Distillers Dried Grains with Soluble), which is sold under the name ActiProt, are distributed as high quality feed ingredients. In the fruit sector, pomace is sold to the pectin industry or as a feed ingredient, or used for thermal purposes.

Consultancy Service for Agriculturalists

To reduce and discourage the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the sugar and starch sectors, AGRANA has been providing its suppliers with in-depth consultations for many years. In addition, irrigation was optimized by measuring soil humidity in the root region. In the fruit sector, similar consultancy is provided via intense contact through the AGRANA "Category Buyers" with the fruit suppliers. AGRANA cooperates with certified suppliers of raw materials to ensure high quality standards and to encourage sustainable husbandry.

Manufacture of Organic Products

AGRANA has been manufacturing organic produce in all its business sectors SUGAR, STARCH, FRUIT since the 2008|09 sugar campaign.

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