Strzelin Sugar Factory on the Way to CO₂ Neutrality

Sugar factory Strzelin of Südzucker Polska (part of the Südzucker Sugar Division) aims to achieve a 100% reduction in CO₂ emissions during the 2025/2026 beet campaign. This is a key aspect of the sustainable development strategy at Südzucker Polska S.A.. The first milestone on the road to change is the abandonment of coal and coke in favour of less emitting natural gas and own sources such as biogas from beet pulp. One of the largest production facilities in the Strzelin district, after obtaining all necessary permits, is embarking on an energy transformation in several stages, which is expected to result in a number of benefits for the environment and the local community. This step is part of the measures to achieve Südzucker Group’s emissions reduction targets in line with the 1.5 degree target, which have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)^*

In the second quarter of 2024, the Strzelin Sugar Factory began the first stage of modernisation work, which consists of replacing a coal-fired boiler with a gas-fired boiler and building a lime kiln for gas^**. At the same time, the construction, carried out by the Polish Gas Company, of an approximately 9-kilometre section of the gas pipeline has begun. The aim of all the planned investments is to switch from high emitting fossil fuels such as coal and coke – in the first stage – to less emitting natural gas, and consequently to significantly reduce greenhouse gas, pollutant and dust emissions into the atmosphere. It is projected that within a year of completely phasing out coal and replacing it with natural gas, CO₂ emissions will be reduced by nearly 50% and particulate emissions by 96%. In simplest terms, this means cleaner air in the area and a reduced environmental impact of the production process, while maintaining the plant’s efficiency. The finalisation of the projects mentioned is expected in the upcoming 2024/2025 sugar campaign.

Another decisive investment in the second stage of modernisation work is the expansion of the biogas plant, which is an integral part of the energy transformation of the Cukrownia Strzelin, assuming a significant increase in the share of renewable energy sources in production processes, thus enabling the local sugar factory to achieve zero-emission production in the 2025/2026 beet campaign.

The huge investments and modernisation works at the Cukrownia Strzelin are one of the key elements of the global sustainable development strategy of the Sugar Division within the Südzucker Group, of which Südzucker Polska S.A. is a part.

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The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global initiative that aims to support companies in setting CO₂ reduction targets that are in line with the latest scientific guidelines on climate change. The initiative was founded by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the UN Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). SBTi helps companies set ambitious but achievable targets that contribute to reducing global warming and support sustainable development.


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Südzucker Polska S.A. is part of the Sugar Division within the Südzucker Group – a leading company in the food industry with segments including sugar, speciality products, starch and fruit. Südzucker Polska S.A.’s product is made from Polish beet from sustainable cultivation, meeting the criteria developed by the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative. The production process takes place at 4 plants – Cukrownia Cerekiew, Cukrownia Ropczyce, Cukrownia Strzelin and Cukrownia Świdnica – located in southern Poland. The company also has a Sales Office in Wieliczka and a Company Headquarters in Wrocław. One of the most important aspects of Südzucker Polska S.A.’s operations is the production of high-quality sugar with respect for the natural environment and its activities in the spirit of corporate social responsibility. In the sugar factories owned by Südzucker Polska S.A., production is carried out in accordance with the guidelines of Good Manufacturing Practices and the principles of food hygiene and health safety. The adopted standards contained in the Codex Alimentarius have been implemented based on a certified HACCP system. In addition, all locations have an ISO 9001:2015 certified Quality Management System. Standards related to the highest production and service standards are also achieved through the implementation of the IFS and BRC systems.