March 20, 2012

 

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) to certify its rapeseed growers

 

 

ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), certified to crush "sustainable" feedstock oils for the European biodiesel market, has established a programme to certify its rapeseed growers.

 

ADM Agri-Industries at Lloydminster, Alberta on Tuesday (Mar 13) launched what it's dubbed the Sustainable Grower Program, following its own certification through International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC).

 

To comply with European export market requirements, a supplier's entire supply chain must meet the European standard for sustainability, ADM said.

 

Canadian growers who complete the Sustainable Grower Program will be able to "immediately" deliver certified seeds to the Lloydminster facility, the company said, and the certification status "will help maximise the marketing potential and value of their seeds."

 

ADM created the Sustainable Grower Program "to help make it easier for growers in Western Canada to become certified sustainable and connect to higher-value global markets," plant manager JP Montalvo said. "Having our entire supply chain meet export requirements is important for the Canadian canola industry to remain competitive with other countries and other oilseeds."

 

The Lloydminster plant sources rapeseed from local growers as well as from ADM's elevators at Carberry, Manitoba, about 50 km east of Brandon, and at Watson, Sask., about 40 km east of Humboldt.

 

ADM said its programme is offered free of charge and includes a kit to help organise all required certification documents.

 

Based in Germany, ISCC was set up to guarantee biofuels - and their feedstocks - are produced according to the German Sustainability Regulations and the European Renewable Energy Directive, enforcing social, labour and environmental requirements for production and imports of biofuels.

 

Europe's demand for renewable energy is expected to grow "significantly" by 2020, Montalvo said.

 

The Lloydminster facility, which is ADM Agri-Industries' first ISCC-certified site in North America, also produces food-grade rapeseed oil for exports to Asia.

 

ADM, partnering with Vancouver-based Canadian Bioenergy Corp., is also building its own biodiesel processing plant next door to the Lloydminster facility for completion late next year.