Vida Cerdan
Sept. 21, 2022
Sustainability policy guide proposes actions for a cleaner industrial process
Decarbonization within the Coca-Cola system is already a reality. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25% by 2030 from the levels emitted in 2015. 70% of TCCC's (The Coca-Cola Company) carbon emissions are divided into five categories:
12% metals, from bauxite extraction to delivery;
11% sugar, considering the emissions produced from the farm to the bottling plant;
11% PET bottle, from the extraction of the raw material to the resin delivered;
5% glass, from raw material extraction to the delivered bottle;
and 31% EDF, both for electricity consumption during use and for refrigerant loss.
To assist in the work to reduce GHGs, TCCC provides a guide that teaches you how to understand the key drivers of GHG emissions throughout the supply chain, from ingredients to refrigeration to packaging, manufacturing, and distribution. In detail, the document presents science-based targets, solutions, best practices, and how to quantify the carbon emissions generated (page 140).
For the CDE area, the largest producer of pollutants among the five groups, the guide suggests two adaptations. The first is to improve the electrical efficiency of the equipment. New equipment purchased is more energy effective compared to older equipment, and lower electricity costs can offset this investment. The projected energy efficiency improvement for 2030 versus 2020 is 26%.
The second guideline for CDE is to switch to hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) free refrigerants, which have significantly higher Global Warming Potential (GWP) (1.3) than for example CO2 (1) or R600-a (0).
As a example of best practice, the document presents variable speed compressors for CDE, which can adjust to the cooling capacity required by the refrigeration system (CDE - Cold Drink Equipment). This solution works when three performance variables are required:
- Fast pull down time;
- Best in class energy efficiency;
- Installation in conditions C and D.
The technology has been available in hermetic compressors since the early 2000s, mainly for household appliances, and has recently started to gain penetration in light commercial applications such as EDCs due to improved affordability of electronics and local energy efficiency regulations. The advantages are:
- Up to 24% improvement in energy efficiency;
- On-site installation of low voltage;
- Fast initial pull and half recharge times;
- Possibility of consolidating electronic components.
To learn more about this best practice, go to page 147 of the guide.
Another example of best practice is static cooling, which, in addition to carbon reduction, reduces costs. Cold Drink Equipment (CDE) can be redesigned according to TCCC KORE policy changes starting October 2019 - designing chillers by market/market segment rather than one size fits all. Static vent type heat exchangers are commonly used in domestic refrigerators and freezers around the world. This type of refrigeration system is designed to operate without fan motors.
This solution involves a detailed design of the heat exchangers, condenser and evaporator, as well as the expansion device. Special attention is paid to the process of determining the gas load. The main factors are:
- Determination of condenser and evaporator surface areas
- Mounting the tubes in the liner to ensure good thermal contact
- Piping layout to minimize gas load
- Determination of the gas load with excellent heating of the liquid line from the suction line exchanger
- Selecting the appropriate compressor.
- Reduction of energy consumption by 10% to 40% depending on the ECM or shaded pole fans used in the current CDE.
- Noise reduction down to 20 dB(A) - down to 45 dB(A)
- 5% to 10% reduction in acquisition cost
- Reduced TCO: 1 - 2 x service call over a minimum period of 10 years, remanufactured, spare parts inventory.
The advantages presented by the guide were:
- Reduction of energy consumption by at least 30%;
- Increased internal capacity of the cooler;
- Reduces maintenance cost;
- Reduced acquisition cost;
- It eliminates costs for the purchase and lifetime service of two fans;
- No OEM investment in tooling.
To learn more about this best practice, go to page 149 of the guide.
In the table below you can understand other ways to reduce GHG emissions:
Decarbonization is already a reality in large industries. In addition to contributing to the environment and society, it adds value to the business, improves the company's image before the market, and reduces costs in the long term. The Coca-Cola system recognizes the need for even more ambitious and integrated climate action, involving employees, partners and suppliers with an agenda to reduce and avoid emissions as soon as possible, being part of the climate solution.
To assist in the calculation of EDC emissions, there is a greenhouse gas equivalence calculator that presents concrete terms that are easy to understand. Click here to access.
To access the guide, click here or go to the sustainability area of the site.
