82 | Fonterra - Te Awamutu Kim Newth Special location, special obligation In 2020 the plant transitioned away from coal to renewable, with the conversion of its boiler system to run on sustainable wood pellets. PRODUCTION Not too many communities in New Zealand would have a large dairy plant in the middle of town like Te Awamutu does. Here, Fonterra is a big player in the urban centre. For site manager Russell Muir the special location carries with it a special obligation to operate responsibly and look after neighbours and the local environment. As the sixth largest producer of dairy ingredients in New Zealand and the main buttermilk producer in the Waikato, Fonterra Te Awamutu is by far the biggest local employer. “With that comes big responsibilities,” says Russell, who observes that most of the 300 permanent sta who work on site also live locally. For some, this plant has been part of their family history going back generations. That legacy is in safe hands today, with Fonterra Te Awamutu now at the forefront of investment to boost sustainability and meet the challenges of a fast-changing world. In 2020, the plant transitioned away from coal to renewable energy with the conversion of its boiler system to run on sustainable wood pellets. It has been one of the largest such conversion projects to date and was rolled out in conjunction with Nature’s Flame and the (nergy (ɝciency Conservation Authority (((CA). “Fonterra is on a journey to stop using coal altogether by 2037 by either converting existing boilers or building new ones to run on renewables. Our own carbon emissions have been cut by more than 84,000 tonnes – it’s equivalent to taking 3 ,000 cars o the road. Ζt’s really significant and to be one of the first to go through this has been awesome for us as a site.” A second sustainability project at Fonterra Te Awamutu is also producing positive environmental outcomes, following a $51 million investment to improve wastewater processing at the plant. Ζt is one of the first such proMects being run by a newly established Wastewater Community that includes key industry partners. This new Wastewater Community has pledged to help the Co-op deliver 1 quality wastewater projects across the country. “Here at Fonterra Te Awamutu, the goal has been to improve the quality of water we are returning to the Mangapiko Stream. This is water we make from milk and use in processing. We are already seeing a 100 per cent improvement in that water quality compared to what it was before the conversion.” Samples of water as it enters the stream are also showing marked improvement. “It is something we’re really proud of – it’s such a success story. The stream runs through the T: 0800 151 891 | anz.sales@pentair.com www.pentair.co.nz 12-14 Kaimiro Street , Pukete Industrial Estate Hamilton, 3200, New Zealand • Hygienic Valves • Valve and Instrumentation Servicing • Process Solutions Call us today for MECHANICAL, FABRICATION &MAINTENANCE ENGINEERS • CNC Machine Shop • Gantry Cranes • Stainless Fabrication • Pressure Vessels & Pipework • Pro le Cutting • Sculptures • Site Installation • ‘Mena’ Water/Waste Water Plants STEWART & CAVALIER LTD ENGINEERS Te Awamutu 1317 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu 3800, Tel: 07 871 7062 , admin@stewcav.co.nz • www.stewcav.co.nz qualtex.co.nz We work with industry to improve New Zealand’s productivity by providing excellence in engineering. Proud supporters of Fonterra for over 30 years qualtex.co.nz We work with industry to improve New Zealand’s productivity by providing excell nce in engineeri . Proud supporters of Fonterra for over 30 years qualtex.co.nz ith industry to improve New Zealand’s d ctivity by providing excellence in engineering. Proud supporters of Fonterra for over 30 years · Commercial scaffolding · Fixed scaffolds · Residential access · Equipment hire · Installers of shrink wrapping · Scaffold and access equipment sales · Mobile scaffolds · Industrial abseil C ALL F R EE 0 8 0 0 2 5 0 7 8 9 admin@wsltd.nz waikatoscaffold.co.nz
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