Jacobi’s aim is to be the most sustainable supplier in our industry.
Our recently published Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) showed that although our Global Warming Potential (GWP) is relatively low, there are several areas where we can improve, some relatively quickly and others which will need longer term innovation. To drive our efforts, we have begun a “Go Green Initiative“ covering a wide range of activities throughout the value chain which will encourage the transition to more renewable products, more sustainable process technologies and a more circular economy.
One of the main features of the LCA analysis is that the GWP of coconut based carbon is significantly less than that of coal based carbon. So, as one route to reducing our GWP, we have set ourselves the goal of replacing within the next 10 years the products in our current portfolio that are derived from coal and other fossil fuel-based products, where a sustainable raw material alternative is technically available.
This and other actions in progress to reduce our GWP are described more below.
GO GREEN IN PRACTICE
Go Green is an initiative from Jacobi Group and covers a number of different areas to create as sustainable a business as possible. Here are some examples of current projects being undertaken to reduce our GWP:
- Product Innovation
- CleanTech Carbonisation
- Production Improvement
- Reactivation
We will measure the resulting improvements according to the Scopes defined in the LCA analysis which are:
- Scope 1 – Primary production processes
- Scope 2 – Utilities and energy usage
- Scope 3 – Suppliers and Customers
PRODUCT INNOVATION
Product Innovation
Replacing products based on coal and other fossil fuels with coconut and other renewable raw materials.
Although we are the largest manufacturer and supplier of coconut carbons in the world, with coconut carbon representing the majority of our sales, we also offer a wide range of coal-based carbons, including many to support the municipal drinking water treatment industry for which the characteristics of coal have traditionally been the most effective.
To meet our goal of phasing out coal-based products and replacing them with more sustainable based carbon wherever technically possible, our Product Development team working with our extensive Research and Development group has been challenged to innovate enabling us to meet this target.
This year we have introduced new coconut-based products, including some high performance pellets, and also developed some Hybrid products to replace coal carbon in some applications where a solution based on coconut carbon alone cannot yet be achieved.
More sustainable products are under development, some using other more novel raw materials such as apricot kernels and hazelnut shells.
Hybrid Products
Creating product specifications that help perform to our customers requirements, the development of hybrid products is our first step to achieving a fully sustainable offering for 100% of our products. It is available today, so why not choose the right path, the renewables path?
Coconut Shell Pellets – CE and OX Series
We have already developed 2 new grades of extruded carbon for use in two key application areas.
CE Series – designed for use in air treatment applications and offers lower ash and higher purity than coal grades as well as excellent performance for VOC removal.
OX Series – designed for use in H2S removal in the Biogas industry offering high H2S capacity (minimum 0.3 g/cc) as well as being a non-impregnated grade with lower ash and higher purity maintaining low pressure drop of pelletised carbon.
CLEANTECH
CleanTech Coconut Charcoal Carbonisation
SCOPE 3
One key technical development is in pioneering new processes for the sustainable production of coconut shell charcoal, our main raw material, to further reduce the GWP. We’ll support our key suppliers with two different types of technologies:
A semi-continuous process based on the GreenEco furnace, in combination with electricity generation based on the process heat.
A continuous process based on Rotary Kiln technology, also in combination with electricity generation based on the process heat.
GreenEco Furnace
Working with international partners we have developed hardware that allows the carbonisation of raw materials with a significantly reduced GWP compared to traditional methods.
Coconut Shell Charcoal
Maximising yield and quality but reducing emissions through an innovative new carbonisation process project.
GO GREEN IN PRACTICE – PRODUCTION PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
Continue reducing the Global Warming Potential in our own operations
SCOPES 1 & 2
Our coconut carbon manufacturing sites in Asia already have a relatively low GWP as we operate waste heat recovery systems to produce steam and enable electricity generation. Moreover, we are currently expanding the use of solar power on all our sites. Coupled with other activities such as rainwater harvesting and water effluent recycling treatment, we expect these plants aim to reach a net zero GWP in the coming years.
Rainwater Harvesting
Throughout our production process we look at how we can improve our environmental impact and GWP. Initiatives such as rainwater harvesting, and upgrading our activation technologies all contribute to help reduce our CO2 emissions.
Solar Panels
The installation of solar panels on our sites helps to ensure we are using the most ’green’ power options.
GO GREEN IN PRACTICE – REACTIVATION
Reactivation of Used Carbon
SCOPES 1 & 2
The process of reactivating used carbon for re-use has many benefits, significantly reducing the GWP of our own business and that of our customers, and working towards a circular product and services delivery.
We are currently expanding our reactivation capacity in Europe and working to develop a similar capability in North America. This will allow more spent carbon to be returned to us by our customers, many in the municipal and industrial water treatment sectors, for reactivation for them to re-use.
We are developing ways to improve the performance of the reactivated carbon, and one of those is to blend in carbon from renewable products.
Mobile Filter Units
Our MFU service customers can return their filters for the contents to be reactivated.
Reactivation Plants
Our teams offer expert reactivation technology. With on-time logistics and local customer service.
GO GREEN CHALLENGE
The Go Green Challenge
Here at Jacobi, we take our Sustainability Journey very seriously and will follow through on our promises.
We intend to make the whole value chain more sustainable. Improving our own operations (Scope 1 and 2) in terms of Global Warming Potential is one thing, improving Scope 3 is more challenging.
For this, we need our suppliers and our customers. Only if we work together closely, we will be able to improve our joint carbon footprint.
Join our journey. Doing well by doing good.
Remko Goudappel
Chief Executive Officer, Jacobi Group