Greenyard saves 150,000 euro in energy costs

Energy is a very important cost for companies, yet there are savings to be made. Greenyard Fresh in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium, shows that saving energy can even be profitable. In total, this branch saves 580 tonnes in C02 emissions, and about 150,000 euro in energy costs annually, which is good for about 20 per cent of the total energy costs of this branch. On 19 January 2017, Greenyard Fresh was visited by the Belgian Minister of Energy, Bart Tommelein. People from Energy Saving Pioneers were also present. The minister said that this company is an example for the rest of Flanders. 

Greenyard Fresh Belgium wants to limit its energy consumption, because that completely suits the company’s vision as regards corporate social responsibility. Greenyard CEO Marleen Vaesen explains: “Greenyard Fresh supplies healthy fruit and vegetables. Eating more vegetarian food helps to combat climate change. But we also want to contribute in our operational management by saving energy and decreasing our C02 emission. Our measures indicate that this is a smart choice economically as well.”

To reduce the consumption of energy, the company started an energy audit, which resulted in 20 measures. The most important ones were mentioned on 20 January 2017. “A cooling installation with natural coolants replaced the outdated cooling installation that still used Freons. The new installation saves about 98,000 euro compared to the old installation, which amounts to more than 11 per cent of energy saving. Low-energy illumination has replaced the existing illumination. This new illumination is smart-driven to further reduce the consumption of energy. Various spaces were also equipped with motion detectors. The savings from this measure amounts to 42,000 euro per year. Other Greenyard divisions are completely devoting themselves to energy saving measures. For example, an optimising of the steam-peeling process resulted in a reduction of the annual CO2 emissions with about 700 tonnes for Greenyard Prepared Belgium.”

Belgium has an especially energy-intensive industry, and is therefore vulnerable to rising prices and dependent on fossil energy. The country therefore has much interest in energy-efficiency. The Energy and Climate Plan 2030 that Europe said Flanders has to draw up, is also putting pressure on matters. Benjamin Clarysse from Energy Saving Pioneers said: “The saving potential for the Flemish industrial sector is enormous. Greenyard Fresh Belgium shows that energy-efficiency is profitable, and should therefore be a part of a healthy management.”