The 2012/13 milling season in South Africa has commenced on a positive note with good factory starts at both Noodsberg and Eston sugar mills, located in the midlands region of KwaZulu-Natal.
Good weather conditions, improved cane quality compared to last season and the efficient settling down of sugar milling operations bode well for an improved sugar output compared to last season which was negatively impacted by drought conditions across the province. The Sezela sugar factory completed steam trials and commenced milling and downstream operations in early April, whilst Umzimkulu sugar mill on the lower south coast started crushing cane on 24 April.
AB Sugar has a well-established reputation for reducing energy consumption and improving its utilisation of co-products by leveraging its global expertise. Its latest such project in south China - the installation of three large evaporators at its Boxuan factory - is achieving both.
Careful planning, before during and after installation, ensured the evaporators were fully integrated with factory processes, delivering significantly higher levels of efficiency than is normally expected in cane mills. This has allowed the factory to both reduce the volume of bagasse used in its boilers, freeing up sales of this renewable cane fibre to the local paper industry, and to generate more of its own electricity.
Sugar beet growers supplying Azucarera’s three factories in northern Spain have celebrated the end of the 2011/12 campaign with average yields of over 105 tonnes per hectare – an all time record for both Spain and the EU.
Northern Spain’s sugar beet crop not only benefited from conducive growing and harvesting conditions but the record yields also reflect the progress made by growers to further improve agricultural practice. As part of the industry’s joint 2014 Plan Azucarera works closely with its growers and AIMCRA (the Spanish sugar beet institute), focusing on drilling and establishment, crop protection and continuous improvement in irrigation.
Today, a new logo has been launched celebrating 100 years of the UK Beet Sugar Industry by British Sugar together with the NFU, at the NFU AGM.
Gino De Jaegher, Managing Director, British Sugar, said “We are all incredibly proud of this important milestone. By continuing to work together, we look forward to ensuring we have a beet sugar industry that drives continued innovation and sustainability for the next 100 years”.
The recognition of this significant milestone will be celebrated across a number of events during 2012, including; today within the ‘Sugar – Meeting the challenge in the UK Sugar Industry’ breakout section; Cereals 2012 – the leading technical event for the UK arable industry whereby British Sugar, the British Beet Research Organisation and the NFU will have a highly visible presence; and a commemorative event at the British Sugar Cantley Factory.
British Sugar’s Cantley factory, which is located on the Norfolk Broads, was Britain’s first modern sugar beet factory and remains one of Britain’s four beet factories, playing a vital role in the local rural and agricultural economy. By seeking innovative ways to minimise waste and maximise the value from the sugar beet crop, British Sugar is recognised internationally as one of the most efficient and advanced sugar manufacturers in Europe. Across its four factories, it processes around 7.5 million tonnes of beet from 4,000 British growers.
William Martin, Chairman, NFU Sugar Board, said “100 years of sugar beet processing is a great achievement by the whole UK beet sugar industry. Growers continue to adapt and improve our sugar beet growing, in the same way as British Sugar has made gains in processing efficiency at Cantley and other factories. The industry continues to evolve, and we look forward to supplying sugar beet for the next hundred years”.
Sugar beet yields have been rising faster than those of any other UK arable crop - 60% since 19801. The UK industry has also made significant investments into process efficiencies, research, development and the close partnership that has been developed between beet growers, the NFU and British Sugar.
-ends-
1UK Beet Sugar Industry Sustainability Report 2011
Further Information:
Sharon Fisher, British Sugar, Corporate Communications
01733 422484
sharon.fisher@britishsugar.com
Chris Wheatley, NFU Sugar
02476 858616
Chris.wheatley@nfu.org.uk
We are thrilled to announce British Sugar is back to sponsor the Technology prize for the 2012 Academy Excellence Awards.
British Sugar will provide one week internship for the winner and runner up at its Wissington bio-refinery near Downham Market in Norfolk. Wissington is the largest beet sugar factory in the world, the most efficient in Europe and produces over 400,000 tonnes of sugar annually.
The Technology prize winner and runner up will learn about British Sugar’s use of technology to transform sugar beet into a myriad of sustainable products. After meeting the Group Chief Executive, they will follow the ‘homegrown sugar story’; from beet harvesting, to sugar manufacture, to the production of co-products. They will learn about the myths surrounding sugar and its use in food manufacture. At the end of the week, they will share their thoughts with British Sugar’s senior team on how manufacturing can be made more appealing to young people.
Last year’s Technology prize winner, Sam Exton, and runner up, Ambi Ubhie, had a terrific week’s internship with British Sugar. "Nothing can beat the hands-on experience than Ambi and I had…,” said Sam. "British Sugar, and the creation of those simple sugar granules found in every home in the UK, is far more complicated and scientific than I had ever given credit for. This past week has opened my eyes up to the world of British manufacturing and I can see definite career opportunities for anyone with an interest in science and technology; it is an amazing company!”
Dr. Mark Carr, Group Chief Executive of AB Sugar, British Sugar’s parent company, said: "We’re really pleased to be sponsoring the Academy Excellence Awards in its second year. This is a great opportunity for us to inspire young people to think about the changing world of advanced and sustainable manufacturing; and the possible opportunities available to them in this field in the future. The team thoroughly enjoyed hosting Sam and Ambi last year, and we’re looking forward to meeting this year’s winners. Good luck to all students entering the Technology Award!”
Read Sam and Ambi’s full account of their week with British Sugar – and get a taster for what the 2012 Academy Excellence Awards Technology prize winner and runner up will experience – the Accademy Excellence Awards Facebook page.