Arla Foods pioneers heat pump breakthrough to cut supply chain emissions

The European dairy cooperative Arla Foods has overcome one of the industry’s toughest electrification challenges by replacing natural gas with renewable energy at high temperatures.

For the first time, Arla Foods has applied high-temperature electric heat pump technology at its milk powder site AKAFA in Svenstrup, Denmark. While the cooperative already uses heat pumps across several dairies, this is the first time the technology has been scaled to meet the more extreme requirements of spray drying. The breakthrough reduces annual emissions by more than 1,500 tonnes of CO2.

“This is a milestone in reducing emissions from our supply chain. Spray drying has long been one of the toughest processes to electrify, and by cracking that challenge we are taking a pioneering step towards more sustainable dairy”, Line Brandt Pedersen, Director Supply Chain Sustainability.

Breakthrough at high temperatures

Spray drying used to create milk powder is one of the most energy-intensive processes in dairy production. Turning liquid milk into powder requires temperatures at a level where most electric heat pumps cannot deliver stable performance.

Unlike conventional electric heat pumps that use steam or water as a heating agent, the new heat pump at AKAFA uses CO2 for both heating and cooling. This enables efficient operation even at the high temperatures up to 120 degrees Celsius. Compared to previously, the new heat pump delivers an emissions reduction of more than 1,500 tonnes of CO2 per year.

“This achievement is the result of years of close collaboration with our technology partner before it was ready to be installed at full scale at AKAFA. And with the strong performance we are seeing, we will now be exploring the potential roll-out of the technology more broadly across our production”, says Line Brandt Pedersen

Energy efficiencies key to reach target

Arla Foods has a Science Based Targets Initiative approved target of -63% in scope 1+2 by 2030 compared to 2015. So far, Arla has achieved a 37%points reduction and investments in energy efficiency and electrification are expected to deliver an additional 18%points towards the target.

“Electrification of our supply chain is undoubtedly a key part of reaching our target. It requires innovative technology, upskilling our employees and of course investments but as the heat pump at AKAFA shows, sustainability and performance can go hand in hand”, says Line Brandt Pedersen

Arla Foods has invested more than DKK 600 million in recent years to electrify its dairies in Denmark with further projects in the UK and Germany also under way.

Arla Foods is an international dairy company owned by more than 7,600 farmers from Denmark, Sweden, the UK, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Arla Foods is one of the leading players in the international dairy arena with well-known brands like Arla®, Lurpak®, Puck® and Castello®. Arla Foods is focused on providing good dairy nourishment from sustainable farming and operations and is also the world’s largest manufacturer of organic dairy products.