News Milk
Milcobel launches CO2-neutral cheeses
At the beginning of next year, Milcobel will market CO2-neutral cheeses under the Brugge Kaas brand. In this way, the cooperative is responding to the trend towards sustainability and CO2 reduction. This makes Milcobel, in its own words, a trendsetter in the cheese market.
The milk for the CO2-neutral cheese comes from the members who participate in the Milcobel meadow milk flow, a spokesperson says. "It is not the case that all kinds of extra demands are suddenly strewn over these members." To label the CO2-neutral cheese to be able to claim in a credible way, Milcobel works together with CO2logic and all links of the production chain have been mapped. Research by KU Leuven has established that 1 liter of milk generates 0,93 kilos of CO2. That includes everything that happens at the farm level.
The entire transport and production chain has also been mapped out. "All greenhouse gas emissions (from CO2 and methane to nitrous oxide) have been calculated: from cow to cheese," says Thijs Keersebilck, Managing Director Consumer Products & Service at Milcobel. The climate efforts of the members are also taken into account. "More than half of our dairy farmers are already investing in renewable energy today, and two-thirds are implementing energy-limiting measures."
Emissions partly compensated
However, it is virtually impossible to produce completely CO2-neutral throughout the chain, according to CEO Nils van Dam. "The remaining CO2 emissions are compensated through a Gold Standard certified wind turbine project in India in collaboration with CO2logic. "We would have liked to support a local project, but carbon farming is still in its infancy in Europe and Belgium," he says.
Keersebilck thinks it is logical that Milcobel markets CO2-neutral cheese. "The sustainability issue is high on the agenda of our customers, and consumers are also thinking more than ever about what they eat and where it comes from. Moreover, many consumers are looking for ways to contribute to the climate debate. By offering a CO2-neutral cheese, conscious consumers can make a more sustainable choice within the cheese range."
Sustainability first
Over the past five years, Milcobel has improved the energy efficiency per kilogram of cheese at its production sites by 23%. The goal is to reduce emissions from the production process by 35% by 2035. Energy-efficient processes and further efficiency improvements will contribute to this. Combined heat and power provide more sustainable energy.
In addition to its commitment to the climate, Milcobel is increasingly going circular. About half of the necessary water is extracted from the
milk processing and purified and upgraded to drinking water quality, after which it is used for, for example, cleaning equipment. There is also a focus on more sustainable packaging. The CO2-neutral Bruges Cheese will be on the shelves from February 2022.
Klaas van der Horst
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