Barry_Callebaut6
Industrial

Barry Callebaut

    Outcomes
  • Operational efficiency: waste-to-energy
  • Simplified O&M
  • Reduced GHG emissions
  • Eureka Award – Manufacturer and Industrial Category Écotech Québec 2019
  • Technology Award – Industrial Facilities or Processes – Existing Building – Eastern Canada ASHRAE 2020
  • Innovative Energy Project of the Year – Canada Region The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) 2019

Creating renewable energy from cocoa waste

At North America’s largest chocolate factory, in Quebec, Barry Callebaut produces more than 500 tons of chocolate daily. During processing, the cocoa beans are extracted from their husks, which then become industrial waste. Barry Callebaut and Ecosystem saw an opportunity to reclaim these husks as a fuel source to reduce waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and disposal and fuel costs.

In this project, a custom-built biomass boiler was installed beside the factory to burn the husks to produce steam, powering the chocolate production process without additional natural gas purchases. Biomass applications are not common for industrial processes, and newer technologies can introduce complexities. For example, cocoa bean husks leave a residue when burned, so Ecosystem had to address potential operation and maintenance issues proactively. To reduce clogging and downtime for cleaning, a system was installed to pulse air through the boiler’s tubes to clear residue.

Each year, this biomass boiler produces 462,833 therms of heat, keeping 6,324,302 pounds of cocoa bean husks out of landfills and reducing natural gas consumption, emissions and disposal costs. These outcomes are consistent with Barry Callebaut’s strategic objectives to incorporate green energy sources and reduce energy consumption in its chocolate factories around the world.


Customized Performance Measures

Biomass boiler installation

Heat recovery

Hot water production optimization

Steam boiler replacement

Variable speed motor drive installation


Project Period
2016-2017
Annual Savings
$199,000

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