Nutriswiss AG refines fats and oils with a sustainable energy

Thanks to close cooperation with its partner companies, GZM Extraktionswerk AG and Swiss Ecovalor AG in the Centravo Group, Nutriswiss already has access to a largely CO₂-neutral energy mix with a high level of supply security. Efficient resource use and environmentally friendly production is part of Nutriswiss AG’s mission statement. This also applies to the organisation’s energy strategy, which is based on sustainable process steam from residual materials. Partner company GZM Extraktionswerk AG produces Category 1 meat and bone meal, which can only be used thermally for veterinary reasons. This takes place in the neighbouring combined heat and power (CHP) plant of fellow partner Swiss Ecovalor AG. Steam is generated in the facility’s boiler at a pressure of 70 bar, which is converted into electricity via a turbine. The steam is subsequently supplied directly to Nutriswiss AG and other neighbouring Centravo Group subsidiaries. In 2023, the plant supplied approximately 2600 MWh of electricity to the grid and around 35,000 MWh of heat to customers in the Lyss Nord industrial area. Sustainable, reliable, economical In addition to process steam, Nutriswiss also obtains electricity from CHP generation. The steam alone saved almost 1600 tonnes of CO₂ in 2023. Nutriswiss also receives hot and warm water from GZM, which saves another 200 tonnes of CO₂. Nutriswiss only self-generates process heat to refine fats as the required temperature level cannot be achieved with steam. The advantages for Nutriswiss are obvious, says GZM Managing Director René Burri, who is also in charge of the CHP plant: “Nutriswiss doesn’t have to maintain its own infrastructure for steam production and enjoys maximum security of supply from CO₂-neutral sources during regular operation.” Should the CHP plant ever fail, the GZM boiler house supplies the energy. Depending on availability, it can use animal fat from its own production as fuel, as well as natural gas or heating oil. Making the best possible use of existing resources René Burri believes that Nutriswiss and the Centravo Group are on the right track with their energy network: “Our commitment to security of supply and sustainability is an investment in the future. We want to make the best possible use of resources and are happy to go the proverbial extra mile to achieve this.” As a GZM product, this exceptional fuel is always available and cheaper than other renewable source, but places high demands on investment and operation.