Emulsifier company Palsgaard has announced that it has met its target of being completely carbon-neutral two years ahead of schedule, reducing its net carbon emissions from 12,029 tonnes in 2010 to zero in 2018.

Over that period, it says it has achieved CO2 reductions totalling 56,175 tonnes – equivalent to the amount produced by 4,885 European (EU) households in a year.

The company’s six global production sites are now all carbon-neutral, mainly through changing sources of energy. Strategies have included new heat recovery and insulation techniques, a switch from heavy fuel oil to biogas, and the use of renewables. At Palsgaard’s main site in Denmark, all electricity is sourced from wind, and indoor heating is powered by burning home-grown straw rather than oil.

As far as the company is aware, it is the only emulsifier manufacturer to achieve carbon neutrality but it hopes others will follow suit.

Jakob Thøisen, CEO of Palsgaard said: “This is a major milestone ― not just for Palsgaard but for the whole ingredients industry. The production of emulsifiers is very energy-intensive and when we decided to eliminate our carbon footprint, many thought it couldn’t be done. However, we’ve demonstrated that with ambition and innovation, sustainable ingredient production is possible. Achieving CO2-neutral status ahead of schedule has given us extra energy to continue making a difference. We hope other companies will be inspired to go on the same journey.”

Palsgaard, which is celebrating its centenary this year, says it is now planning a range of new green initiatives, including a new solar energy park at its headquarters in Denmark.

Anders Brix, Group CEO of the Schou Foundation, which owns Palsgaard, said: “Throughout Palsgaard’s hundred-year history, we have been dedicated to meeting challenges and climate change is undoubtedly the greatest challenge facing us now. At the moment, carbon neutrality is a rare achievement, but it will soon be the norm. Manufacturers will be forced to reduce their emissions, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because environmentally conscious consumers demand it.”

As well as being manufactured in CO2-neutral factories, Palsgaard says that all its emulsifiers are vegetable-based and sourced as sustainably as possible. wher the company uses palm oil ingredients, it relies exclusively on RSPO-certified raw materials, enabling it to offer its complete product range as MB- or SG-certified.