Cargill's European refined oils business awarded 'Lean and Green Award' by Dutch government for its plan to reduce transport CO2 emissions by 20% at its Netherlands facilities between 2008-2012

Andrew Rogers

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands , November 28, 2011 (press release) – Cargill’s refined oils business in Europe has won a ‘Lean and Green Award’ for its plan to reduce transportation CO2 emissions by 20% at its Netherlands facilities between 2008 and 2012. The award is presented by Connekt Sustainable Logistics – a program supported by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment – to companies that are contributing to the sustainability of logistic processes in the Netherlands.

Following an analysis of the different types of transport used at Cargill’s three refined oils plants in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, a plan has been put in place to change the load size of the trucks and the transportation type in order to reduce CO2 emissions. Using CO2 measurements in 2008 as the baseline, Cargill is implementing changes that are enabling it to achieve its 20% reduction objective. At the moment Cargill is on track to reach and surpass its 2012 target, hereby reducing its own and its customers’ environmental impact.

“We are very proud that our commitment to be a sustainable company has been recognized by the Lean and Green Award,” stated Eric Hopstaken, Supply Chain Director for Cargill Refined Oils Europe. “While this specific target will be achieved in 2012, our commitment will not end there. We are continuously looking for ways to reduce our emissions and to make our logistics as sustainable as possible. Our employees are passionate about this topic and help to come up with great ideas to make this possible. I’d really like to congratulate the team on their efforts implementing this plan. We have further commitments to reduce our CO2 by 30% in 2017 and 40% in 2022.”

Globally, Cargill plans to improve energy efficiency, greenhouse gas intensity, and fresh water efficiency each by 5 percent by 2015.

Hopstaken continues: “We set these goals to ensure we are a leader in continuously improving our efforts to sustain the vitality and conservation of our natural resources. In the end it’s about the planet, the people that live there and the processes they use every day. As a global leader in nourishing people, we know we must produce food, feed and fuel in the most sustainable and efficient way possible.”

In receiving this award Cargill is joining a significant number of other illustrious companies, and becomes a front-runner in promoting sustainable logistical practices.

Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Environment Schultz van Haegen recognized the winning companies during his keynote speech at the Connekt congress on 10th November: "Today sustainability is no longer an abstract goal but is an integrated part of healthy entrepreneurship. I am delighted to see that the Lean and Green programme is applying this by reducing CO2 emissions by 20% and increasing business competitiveness at the same time.. "

About Cargill

Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 138,000 people in 63 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to sharing its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business.

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.