Our
Planet

Reduce: Energy Consumption & Emissions

TRT has maintained a consistent electrical load since 2012. Before this period, we undertook several energy conservation initiatives to achieve our current demand levels. These efforts encompassed relighting, pump upgrades, and equipment modifications.

The most significant strides in energy conservation have stemmed from the implementation of two key systems: the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) System and the Steam Turbine Generator (STG) system. The CHP and STG systems enable TRT to internally generate over half of our electrical load. Project to generate and conserve energy have been identified and are being evaluated for immediate implementation. Ultimately, they will all help us reduce the total carbon emissions load to net zero.

Tallow to Vegetable Oil Project: Project Complete, Emissions Reductions Included

Twin Rivers Technologies Manufacturing Corporation's (TRT) has replaced tallow with primarily RSPO certified palm oil as one of its primary raw materials. This initiative started in 2021 and was completed by the beginning of 2023. The primary driver for the change was a growing interest in vegetable-based products from the Home and Personal Care markets as consumers move away from animal-based ingredients in their formulations. This trend, in combination with increased value and decreased availability of tallow due to renewable diesel, put TRT on the path toward 100% vegetable fatty acid production¹.

TRT aligned its goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2021. Projects like this one exemplify a shift towards sustainable sourcing practices in the oleochemical industry. This effort also supports the Scientific Based Target initiative (SBTi); the ACI 1.5C Climate Challenge and other commitments TRT has made to reach net zero by 2050. In this paper we investigate the environmental implications of this transition, analyzing emissions across the life cycle stages of both raw materials, from growth/harvest; transportation and finally finished product processing.

To quantify the sustainability aspects of the tallow to vegetable oil from a lifecycle analysis (LCA) and a product carbon footprinting (PCF) standpoint, TRT conducted a study in 2023 to look at the changes in product impacts in a cradle to gate analysis that examined raw material acquisition, to transportation and finished product manufacture.

Above is the PCF for two TRT products, the first a tallow fatty acid and the second a vegetable fatty acid (in this case from palm). The emissions generated during raw material acquisition from tallow in this case is much higher in industrial beef production than for RPO/POS palm oil production. Beef tallow emissions equaled 2.974 tons of CO2 compared to .857 tons of CO2 per 1000 lbs produced in RSPO palm when we examine the cultivation / harvesting / production of each. This represents almost three and a half times (3.5x) more emissions from tallow than that of palm. When extrapolated to account for the TRT's full production the total carbon emissions reduction is approximately 110 MT.

Actual total raw material transportation emissions from 2021 to 2023 for rail and tanker truck emissions we see reductions from 891MT to only 24 MT (the 24 tons is associated with soya receipts only in 2023). There was a negligible increase in vessels on a mile-ton basis due to the shifting of transport modes. However, all deliveries were made on vessels scheduled to supply other TRT and no additional shipments were added to accommodate the raw material change.

Actual sea tanker emissions during this time also decreased from 21,659MT in 2020 to 15,940MT in 2023. Over the same period, inbound rail emissions went from 807MT to just 24MT and emissions from truck shipments went from 552 MT to ZERO!

Overall, the result of the tallow to veg conversion was a great opportunity for TRT's business and to supply its customers with superior products. The secondary benefits however are clear when we examine the LCA PCF product models of the new raw materials to the old ones.

Significant reductions in overall emissions in raw materials acquisition, transportation, and production are clear. Tertiary benefits include the return of tallow to the marketplace where it will either shorten our competitors' supply chains or be used in biofuels again reducing emissions further. At TRT we expect to see the potential of this threefold decrease in emissions continue over time. Plans to execute other projects are underway that will help us in our quest to become Net Zero by 2050!

Reuse: Source & Water Reduction

TARGET: NET ZERO

TRT continues to target net zero emissions by developing a strategic emissions reduction plan and completing product carbon footprinting and lifecycle analysis program.

In 2021, Twin Rivers Technologies Group (TRT) took another significant step in its climate action journey by joining the American Cleaning Institute's (ACI) 1.5C Climate Challenge and followed that in 2022 by volunteering under the UN's Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). Recognizing that the urgency of the climate crisis demands collective action, TRT embraced this challenge with a firm commitment to contribute to the global effort to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

While TRT acknowledges that the path to climate action may vary for different companies, the underlying goal remains steadfast: to combat climate change with determination and purpose. In alignment with the ACI signatories, TRT has completed a rigorous examination of its emissions to develop a robust corporate climate strategy and set ambitious targets aligned with the 1.5°C ambition. The goal is to achieve net-zero global emissions by 2050, aligning with the imperative set forth under the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi).

In 2023, TRT began a Product Carbon Footprinting campaign that included lifecycle analysis on a cradle to gate supply chain examination. The LCA / PCF process examined all of our production systems and established baseline data sets for each operational unit. By tracing raw material receipts through each process, we examined the energy, water and outputs that result in carbon emissions. The compilation of that effort also allowed us to understand the full carbon footprint of our operations.

The timeline for action TRT is work toward continues in 2024. TRT established and published the TRT Strategic Emission Reduction Plan (SERP). This plan is lays out science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction efforts against 5 year cyclic targets. By making this kind of commitment our entire organization has integrated carbon reduction efforts into the evaluation and prioritization of projects at the facility. This groundwork established measurable metrics that can assess progress against the SERP goals.

TRT's commitment to transparency continues in its reporting practices, with Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions being tracked and reported since 2017, providing a comprehensive view of its environmental impact but has gone a step further with the outputs the LCA / PCF project has generated.

Above the carbon footprint of the entire organization's supply chain is laid out in full. Historical tracking has not been verified by a third party in the past but does stand up well against the 2023/24 project outcomes. Below are the results of our tracking process.

As part of the 1.5C Challenge, TRT is actively exploring potential projects and technologies that have the potential to drive meaningful emissions reductions. Since 2017, the company has already achieved a commendable 5% reduction in overall emissions on a per pound basis. However, TRT recognizes that the real challenge lies in sustaining and accelerating this momentum to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

As part of the 1.5C Challenge, TRT is actively exploring potential projects and technologies that have the potential to drive meaningful emissions reductions. Since 2017, the company has already achieved a commendable 5% reduction in overall emissions on a per pound basis. However, TRT recognizes that the real challenge lies in sustaining and accelerating this momentum to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

The road ahead may be challenging, but TRT is resolute in its commitment to climate action. With innovation, collaboration, and unwavering determination, TRT is poised to continue its journey towards a sustainable future, where the promise of a 1.5°C world remains within reach.