Chocolate maker thinks outside the box
South Australian-based chocolate maker Robern Menz is cutting emissions and reducing energy costs by revolutionising the way it operates.
The company is rolling out a $1.1 million upgrade of its production facility in Adelaide, thanks to a grant from the Federal Government’s Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment program worth almost $500,000.
The company will refurbish its chocolate making facilities by replacing boilers and chocolate refiners with new state-of-the-art energy efficient equipment.
The project is expected to reduce the carbon emissions intensity of the company’s boilers and refiners by 49 per cent and save it about $185,000 in energy costs per year.
Robern Menz’s existing manually-operated fire tube boiler and small electric boiler will be replaced with an unattended water tube boiler, planned to increase the facility’s steam generation capacity by 50 per cent and result in a large reduction in carbon emissions.
Its four outdated, power hungry, chocolate refining machines will be replaced with two state-of-the art machines, increasing chocolate making capacity by 56 per cent and, again, significantly reducing carbon emissions.
The upgrade marks the second stage of the company’s strategy to become a leader in cleaner and greener confectionery production.
Last year the confectioner overhauled its refrigeration plant and warehousing infrastructure to save money and reduce its carbon footprint.
The new energy-efficient refrigeration equipment has resulted in an 11 per cent drop in energy use and major costs savings for the company.
The Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program is funded by revenue from the carbon price.
Companies interested in the program should contact AusIndustry on 13 28 46 or visit www.ausindustry.gov.au
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