Water management and clean energy production is now a critical business challenge for the food and beverage industry. Today’s leading manufacturers are rethinking their water management strategies to ensure they are not only efficient but fully optimised, and sustainable. At Hydroflux, rethinking difficult problems is in our DNA. Specialising in water, wastewater, renewable energy, climate resilience and environmental protection, our certified carbon-neutral products and services are helping companies solve some of these most challenging business risks.
With tailored solutions, ongoing support and a commitment to measurable results, Hydroflux is rethinking what’s possible to build a better future.
editor ’s note
POWERING THE FUTURE
Tania Walters Publisher tania@reviewmags.com
The food and beverage industry has a significant impact on the environment. It accounts for around 30 percent of global energy use. With demand comes pressure on natural resources, and companies are looking for options to overhaul production practices and solutions across ingredients, processing, packaging, and transportation.
Switching to renewable electricity sources like solar and wind can help drive optimisation. Industry leaders have established ambitious renewable energy targets, including food and beverage giant Nestle, committed to halving its global net carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
and supporting their growers. Energy prices continue to play a critical role in shaping manufacturers' decisions. The conversation around transitioning to clean energy is complex, and there is growing pressure on energy resources. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar offer potential but come with challenges. The liquidation of Solarzone highlights the vulnerabilities of investing in clean energy solutions, emphasising the need for a balanced and pragmatic approach. The critical question is whether the push for clean energy is moving too quickly, risking disruptions for energyintensive industries.
Across the Tasman, Australia is grappling with similar challenges, where political debates are shaping the country's energy future.
New Zealand must carefully navigate the road to clean energy. The country's energy-intensive
sectors rely on consistent and affordable electricity to maintain productivity. A rapid transition to clean energy risks undermining these industries if demand outpaces supply or if the infrastructure supporting renewables cannot meet the growing needs.
As the global push toward sustainability accelerates, New Zealand faces a critical question: How can it achieve a cleaner energy future without compromising power reliability and affordability?
A slow, deliberate transition that considers the country's unique energy landscape will be vital to ensuring both economic and environmental goals are met.
As the fifth largest global food company, Kraft Heinz is also committed to meeting consumer expectations and environmental considerations 12 15 17 27
PUBLISHER Tania Walters
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Renewable gas is now flowing.
Lower emissions, carbon neutral, climate crisis, renewable energy, net-zero, 2050 deadline. There’s a lot of talk, but is action being taken to ensure New Zealand homes and businesses enjoy a reliable, sustainable supply of energy today and into the future? Yes! In true Kiwi style, energy group Clarus has rolled up their sleeves and just got on with trying to solve the problem.
For some time, Clarus has been researching, innovating, and investing in renewable energy projects. One of these is now up and running and no one noticed. But that’s a good thing. In this case, success for Clarus looks like homes and businesses continuing to use gas unaffected while we work on introducing renewable gas into the pipeline network.
Food waste is now being turned into renewable gas
First Renewables, part of Clarus, in partnership with Ecogas’ Reporoa Organics Processing Facility, are turning biogas made from food waste, into biomethane, a type of renewable gas. Chemically identical to natural gas, this renewable gas is being injected into a Firstgas pipeline in Reporoa for homes and businesses to use. Initial production estimates from this one facility will supply the equivalent of enough renewable gas for up to 7,200 homes.*
Gas is here to stay
Hundreds of thousands of Kiwis enjoy the many benefits of gas, from instant heat and precise cooking to endless hot water and a cozy, warm home. With renewable gas projects now underway, gas will remain a dependable energy source for the future—just with lower emissions. This ensures that connecting to gas or upgrading your gas appliances continues to be an excellent choice when building or renovating.
As New Zealand moves to a net zero carbon future, natural gas is going to continue to play an important role while we change over to sources of renewable energy.
Renewable gases are an exciting resource that could complement renewable electricity in enabling Kiwi households to reduce their carbon footprint. It also means people will have more choice when it comes to the type of energy they can use now and in the future.
Learn more at: clarus.co.nz/future-of-energy
FONTERRA EDENDALE’S NEW ELECTRODE BOILER
Fonterra’s southernmost site, Edendale, has taken a significant step in its decarbonisation journey by commissioning the Co-op's first electrode boiler.
The new boiler powered up for the first time recently, marking an important milestone in the Co-op’s work to get out of coal by 2037. Work began
on the boiler in February this year, taking just nine months to complete, with over 300 contractors working to complete the build.
The new electrode boiler generates steam using electricity, cutting the Edendale site's annual overall emissions by approximately 20 percent—
FIRST RETAILER TO ADD ELECTRIC PRIME MOVER TRUCK
AUSTRALIA | Coles has become the country’s first retailer to welcome an electric prime mover truck to its transportation network.
In partnership with Linfox, the Electric Vehicle (EV) will save more than 65 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year compared to a regular diesel-powered prime mover, equivalent to removing 15 cars from the road. The heavy-duty vehicle now delivers groceries to hundreds of stores across Victoria.
Expected to make up to 25 deliveries from the Coles Distribution Centre in Victoria to stores across the state each week, the Volvo FH, awarded the International Truck of the Year 2024, can travel up to 300km on a single charge and will save approximately 25,000 litres of fuel every year.
In addition to fuel and emission reductions, the EV is quieter to run, reducing noise pollution during store deliveries for customers in residential areas. It also requires no idling, eliminating further emissions and fuel consumption.
Coles Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer Matt Swindells said the EV was another step in the retailer’s decarbonisation journey. The retailer has continued to work with partners to reduce its Scope 3 emissions, which occur in the retailer’s supply chain and make up the majority of its overall emissions profile.
“We’re excited to welcome our first EV prime mover to our
equivalent to 47,500 tonnes of CO2e each year, or the equivalent of removing around 20,000 cars from New Zealand's roads.
It will also contribute to a nearly three percent reduction in the Co-op’s national overall emissions from its 2018 baseline year.
“The new electrode boiler is a fantastic addition to the Edendale site and is a real gamechanger for our decarbonisation efforts, significantly reducing our site’s emissions and providing a reliable source of renewable steam energy,” said General Manager Operations – Lower South Island, Andrew Johns.
“The successful build of the new boiler is a real credit to everyone involved. It's exciting for Edendale to be the first Fonterra site to have an electrode boiler, marking a significant milestone in our Co-op’s journey towards a more sustainable future.”
The electrode boiler has brought new technology to the Co-op, and the Co-op will continue to focus its efforts on getting out of fossil fuels as it looks to use various renewable energy sources to ensure sustainability and security of supply.
The Electric Boiler Project was co-funded in a previously announced EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) partnership.
Read more here
network, which is currently making about 25 deliveries from our distribution centre in Victoria each week to hundreds of stores across the state,” said Swindells.
“Not only will it prevent more than 65 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year, or the equivalent of removing 15 cars from our roads, it will save approximately 25,000 litres of fuel annually and is quieter to run, meaning reduced noise pollution for our customers.”
Read more here
AI WILL REPLACE HARD SKILLS
AUSTRALIA | In a recent study, recruitment specialists Robert Walters have unveiled the increasing significance of soft skills in today's workplace. The research, which surveyed over 2,000 white collar professionals, found that 96 percent believe that soft skills are either equal to or more important than hard skills.
GOVERNMENT EXPLORES GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SOURCE
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins said up to NZD $60 million will be ring-fenced from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to invest in exploring the potential of supercritical geothermal technology, which could help secure New Zealand’s future energy needs.
The Coalition Government has prioritised a secure and resilient energy supply, critical to rebuilding the economy and giving businesses the confidence to invest.
“Geothermal energy is sourced from extremely hot rock heated by magma. Currently, conventional geothermal wells are drilled to a maximum depth of about 3.5km. However, scientists believe that more energy will be available by drilling beyond this, possibly 6km deep,” said Jones.
“The energy generated from supercritical geothermal technology (SCGT) could be up to three times greater than current geothermal energy from steam. In the long term, this could be a game-changer for New Zealand and potentially internationally, with other countries also chasing solutions to energy challenges.” Read more here
"AI will replace hard skills," said Robert Walters CEO Shay Peters, emphasising the growing importance of soft skills in the workplace.
Peters attributed this shift to the rapid rise of AI, predicting that it will eventually replace almost all hard skills in white-collar industries.
"As technology takes over technical tasks, soft skills will become the primary differentiator in hiring, as human interaction and emotional intelligence cannot be replicated by AI," said Peters.
Australia has recently emerged as the most 'AI-addicted' country in the world, with over 2.2 million monthly searches for ChatGPT. This trend reflects the growing influence of AI in the workplace, and hiring managers are increasingly focusing on candidates who can complement technology with strong interpersonal abilities.
"Employers are not only looking for people who know how to use AI but also those who can collaborate effectively with it," said Peters.
Recruiters report that failures in the workplace often stem from a lack of soft skills, which has led to a willingness among hiring managers to pay a premium for candidates with attributes like communication, negotiation, teamwork, and problem-solving. Read more here
100% PLANT-BASED TRADE EVENT A SUCCESS
USA| Plant Based World Expo North America, the leading 100% plant-based trade event, marked its fifth event presenting the future of the plant-based industry to retail and foodservice professionals at the Javits Center in New York City.
The event highlighted the accelerating innovation and longevity of the plant-based sector, setting the stage for what’s next in food and beverage, and bringing it to key stakeholders in the food industry.
Record-Breaking Buyers: Over the course of two days, the event broke a record for the number of buyers in attendance, with thousands of visitors at the show and 2/3 of which having direct purchasing power. These buyers represented sectors such as foodservice, retail, hospitality and distribution. Other attendees included senior executives from major companies who attended alongside other key industry players including menu planners, product developers, academic researchers, and government officials.
Championing Connections: Exemplifying the importance of live events for making business connections, buyers and exhibitors took advantage of an expanded Hosted Buyer Matchmaking Programme during the event, which facilitated over 500 meetings. Read more here
feed off greenhouse gas emissions captured from geothermal power stations, such as those used to generate electricity in the central North Island. The biomass produced is made up of several potentially commercially valuable components, including protein for animal feed.
Inghams in New Zealand has partnered with worldfirst research to create animal nutrition from greenhouse geothermal gases.
With poultry brands including Waitoa Free Range
and Bostock Brothers organic chicken, Inghams in New Zealand was proud to be a part of this pioneering research. The results could support the decarbonisation of animal feed industries, reduce Inghams’
THE FUTURE OF PACKAGING
SWITZERLAND | Tetra Pak and Lactalis have unveiled a carton package that uses certified recycled polymers linked to used beverage cartons, marking a first for the beverage carton industry and a significant step towards a circular economy.
This industry-first initiative contributes to material circularity, reducing reliance on virgin, fossil-based material and helping to shift away from finite resources.
The recycled material,1 which is linked to polymers from used beverage cartons in Spain, is certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS.
Lactalis, a world leading dairy group, is planning to increase its portfolio of dairy products in packaging that uses certified recycled polymers.
This material has been certified by ISCC PLUS as originating from the recycling process of used beverage cartons in Spain and is allocated to the package based on a mass balance attribution method. This means that the certified recycled polymers are made up of a mix of recycled and non-recycled, virgin fossil feedstock, ensuring the corresponding volume of recycled material is sourced and tracked throughout the supply chain. This is verified by a third-party auditor, according to the ISCC Chain of Custody Procedure.2 The chemical recycling process ensures that the certified recycled polymers do not compromise the package’s quality, food safety or any other attributes, further demonstrating the circular potential of cartons.
The advancement keeps quality resources in circulation and reduces the industry’s dependence on virgin, fossil-based materials, which aligns with both companies’ ambitions to further enhance the environmental profile of packaging. Tetra Pak plans to invest €100 million annually for the next five to ten years to achieve this, while Lactalis has made responsible packaging and the circular economy
reliance on imported animal feed, and lower the cost of carbon emissions for geothermal companies that adopt the system.
The research focused on a system in which biomass can be created when microorganisms
Greg Bannon, Head of Strategy for Inghams New Zealand, said Inghams was excited about being a key industry partner in the research project and its potential benefits.
“If the research is successful, New Zealand would be the first country in the world to pioneer biomass feedstock production from Aotearoa’s abundant geothermal resources. The benefits of a decarbonised food production alternative would significantly help reduce our Scope 3 emissions,” said Bannon.
Read more here
one of its global environmental priorities, together with animal welfare across their partner farms and decarbonisation of all their activities by 2050.
"Our collaboration with Tetra Pak is rooted in a shared vision and commitment to environmental stewardship for future generations, facilitated by circular economy principles. Packaging innovation plays a crucial role in this endeavor," said Joël Llovera, Purchasing Director of Lactalis Iberia.
"We are dedicated to sustainable progress. Transitioning from fossil-based polymers to recycled ones, certified by ISCC PLUS as linked to used beverage cartons, represents a significant stride towards our objective."
Read more here
AUSTRALIA’S FIRST LARGE SCALE STEAM-BASED
AUSTRALIA | In a significant move towards achieving its net zero emissions by 2050 commitment, Mars, Incorporated has announced that its Wodonga pet food facility will become Australia's first large-scale steambased manufacturing site.
Mars Wodonga produces PEDIGREE and WHISKAS and will deploy a 100 percent renewable energy solution for both electricity and process steam within the next two years.
Craig Sargeant, General Manager of Mars Petcare
MANUFACTURING
Australia and New Zealand, was joined by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for a tour of the Wodonga site. He shared his enthusiasm for the groundbreaking initiative, which aligned with the company’s broader global net zero by 2050 ambitions.
“We are incredibly proud to announce that Mars will be the first manufacturing facility of its kind in Australia to deploy a 100 percent renewable energy solution within two years,” said Sargeant.
“Decarbonising site-based process heat, coupled with Mars Australia’s 100 percent renewable electricity use, is a significant achievement that reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainability and positions our Wodonga facility as a leader in green process heat manufacturing on a national scale.”
The $39.3 million Mars Wodonga Solar Thermal Plant will spearhead this transition, including the installation of an 18-megawatt Parabolic Trough Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) plant that will provide up to 10 hours of thermal energy storage for cooking pet food.
The project, which includes a $17.2 million grant from the Australian Government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), has marked the first commercial deployment of parabolic trough CST technology in Australia.
“Investing in renewable energy technologies like CST is critical to decarbonising industrial processes, particularly in sectors that heavily rely on gas for steam-based manufacturing.”
Read more here
INTRODUCING EUROPEAN NATURAL REFRIGERANT COOLING TECH to New Zealand
Due to the tremendous price increase in carbon tax on current refrigerants in the New Zealand refrigeration industry, Chill360 has implemented an environmentally friendly, natural propane (R290 with GWP 3) refrigerant-driven cooling project for any size supermarket.
This project operates on a hydroloop hybrid cooling system that has been used in Europe for over a decade. Chill360 was the first to launch it in New Zealand.
Chill360 installed this hydro loop propane system at Auckland’s Smart Supermarket Botany in 2022, and it has worked successfully since then. The cabinets are fitted with SCHOTT Termofrost® glass smart frameless doors and are individually in operation, so there is no risk of the full refrigeration line failing in any event of accidental breakdown.
The first time introduced so-called “hybrid units” function with a watercooled condenser in summer and without glycol during winter, utilising the air-
cooled condenser fitted on top of the unit, throwing the “by-product energy heat” to warm the store.
Additionally, as these units do not require a plant room, they operate quietly, making them ideal for supermarkets situated in residential areas.
Chill360 specialises in the intricate design, installation, servicing, and maintenance of commercial HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and refrigeration) systems.
Founded in 2005 as Frigie King Ltd, the company underwent a strategic rebranding to Chill360 in 2015. It has now cultivated a formidable reputation catering to a diverse clientele, including factories, hotels, retail establishments, and office complexes.
As a proudly 100 percent Kiwi-owned
and operated enterprise, Chill360 has been known for importing premium refrigeration cabinets that comply with stringent quality standards, establishing a distinctive presence in the New Zealand market.
The company has also employed specialised LED lighting to enhance product presentation, ensuring that each solution has been meticulously crafted by its project managers and installers to align with its clients’ unique specifications and budgetary constraints.
Beyond design, supply, and installation, Chill360 has supported comprehensive maintenance and repair services, ensuring sustained operational efficiency and client satisfaction.
Continued on page 10.
power : chill360
Continued from page 9.
The Normal Cooling System has a standard compressor that works in cycles: it is switched off at the lowest allowable temperature until the temperature rises to the high set point. Then, the highest set point is reached, and the compressor switches on. That type of control system results in large temperature fluctuations involving significant energy losses from the motor’s operation.
The Continuous Cooling control system replaces the traditional on-and-off compressor with an inverter compressor and an advanced
controller. By adjusting the compressor’s speed based on the temperature inside the equipment, refrigerator efficiency can be enhanced.
Refrigeration equipment operating with a Continuous Cooling system can save up to 70 percent more energy than traditional control systems.
The refrigerator’s temperature is kept steady by regulating the compressor’s speed, and evaporation takes place continuously, with the capacity only varying. Stable temperature and humidity levels inside equipment maximise the preservation of food quality and freshness. Chill360 is also FREOR’s sales partner for Australia and New Zealand.
FREOR ‘s new technology has
Beyond design, supply, and installation, Chill360 has supported comprehensive maintenance and repair services, ensuring sustained operational efficiency and client satisfaction.
a Continuous cooling system that uses Inverter compressor technology. This Continuous Cooling system on commercial refrigeration equipment was tested in FREOR’s laboratory, which has complied with the worldwide standard for refrigerated display cabinets—ISO 23953. The results showed temperature variations of no more than 0.5 °C in the equipment, meaning extremely high energy efficiency. However, this system is not superefficient solely because of the compressor. The key is the efficiency of all the components and how they interact.
An advanced algorithm in the controller defines compressor parameters and operating modes for the inverted compressor and other components.
This allows the controller to optimise temperature control and minimise temperature fluctuations.
The Continuous Cooling control system is available for all refrigeration equipment from FREOR, whether plug-in or on any hydro loop system that uses natural propane (R290) gas as a refrigerant.
power : ecogas
IN NEW ZEALAND PIPELINE FOR THE FIRST TIME Renewable Gas Flows
First Renewables, in partnership with Ecogas, has confirmed that the First Renewables biogas upgrade facility, located at the Ecogas Reporoa Organics Processing Facility, is now in production.
James Irvine, General Manager of Future Fuels at Clarus, hailed this as a historic milestone for the country’s gas pipeline infrastructure.
“We are thrilled to confirm that renewable gas is now flowing through a Firstgas pipeline for the first time, marking a pivotal moment not only for the gas industry but for New Zealand’s journey towards a sustainable, low-carbon energy future,” said Irvine.
Renewable gas, or biomethane, is chemically identical to conventional natural gas but comes from renewable sources such as organic waste, making it a critical player in reducing carbon emissions across various sectors. It can be used for heating, electricity generation, and even transportation.
The journey of this renewable gas begins with food scraps and other organic wastes, that is transformed into biogas at Ecogas’ Reporoa facility.
Ecogas contracted First Renewables to deliver an advanced biogas upgrade system where the biogas is transformed
into biomethane, which is then injected into the Firstgas pipeline for residential and commercial gas users. BioCO2 is also produced for Ecogas as part of this new system. This will be supplied to a nearby glasshouse to enhance the growth of tomatoes in the near future.
“Our initial estimates show this facility alone can supply enough renewable gas to power up to 7,200 homes while also reducing CO₂ emissions by 11,000 tonnes per year*, and because it’s chemically identical to natural gas, there are no changes required for gas users or their appliances,” added Irvine.
“Gas will continue to play a key role in New Zealand’s transition to reduced emissions. Its storability and transportability make it a reliable energy source, especially for sectors hard to decarbonise, and it’s pivotal in supporting the country’s electricity grid during peak times.
Globally, renewable gas is seen as a critical pillar of decarbonisation. Leading the charge in Europe, Denmark has made significant
progress, supplying nearly 40 percent of its natural gas grid with biomethane and targeting 100 percent biomethane by 2030.
The global demand for biomethane is soaring, with 2023 seeing over $5 billion in investments in the technology, signalling its growing importance in reducing carbon emissions globally.
“This is an exciting step forward for not only Ecogas and First Renewables but for Aotearoa as a whole,” said Fraser Jonker, Managing Director of Ecogas.
“Our mission is to close the food and energy loop. By transforming a ‘waste’ product into a renewable gas, we are another step forward on this journey that ultimately supports environmental sustainability, energy security and economic development in Aotearoa, New Zealand.”
The news that renewable gas is flowing in a pipeline follows closely after the announcement that Firstgas, also a Clarus company, is one step closer to commencing New Zealand’s first Hydrogen Blending Pilot, with WorkSafe granting two
exemptions to Firstgas to enable the project to move forward.
“As New Zealand embarks on its renewable energy journey, the potential of renewable gas is exciting, with the technology playing an essential role in achieving a low-carbon energy future,” said Irvine.
Ecogas and First Renewables are planning to hold an opening event at the Ecogas Reporoa Organics Processing Facility next year.
* Calculation based on 22GJ p.a. average for a residential consumer. Estimated max production is 160TJ = 7,200
power : lodestone energy
LODESTONE ENERGY X Inghams Solar Contract
In September 2024, Lodestone Energy and Inghams announced an innovative landmark solar contract beginning in 2025.
Under the 20-year Virtual Rooftop Solar agreement, renewable electricity generated by Lodestone Energy’s solar farms in the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel will be matched to Inghams’ demand and verified with internationally recognised Renewable Energy Certificates.
Surplus electricity generation is used to offset shortfalls in electricity that may occur overnight or on a cloudy day. With the potential to add additional supply from elsewhere in Lodestone’s portfolio, the agreement can adapt to Inghams’ energy
requirements long into the future.
The long-term certainty achieved through the contract ensures more sustainable and resilient operations in the face of growing demand and a volatile electricity market.
“Many commercial and industrial businesses had been looking for a long-term partnership with an energy provider to provide tangible and measurable renewable energy at an economical price,” said Managing Director of Lodestone Energy, Gary Holden.
“Lodestone has plans underway to build another eight solar farms across the country,
which will help meet some of that customer need.”
Inghams chose Lodestone for this partnership due to its innovative methods for generating and supplying renewable electricity. This would help streamline decarbonisation efforts, enhance sustainability, and bolster resilience, ensuring the production of healthy, delicious products for New Zealanders.
Climate action and planetary health are among Inghams’ three sustainability focus areas.
“The Lodestone-Ingham partnership is a significant leap towards our emissions reduction goal to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions by 46.2 percent by 2030 from a 2019 baseline. It also reduces our reliance on carbon offsets to maintain our Toitu net carbon zero certifications,” said Inghams’ spokesperson.
Discussing the role of renewable energy in New Zealand’s poultry industry, Inghams’ spokesperson mentioned that chicken is the most popular meat of choice (OECD Agricultural Statistics, 2024 and Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand, 2023) and had the smallest carbon footprint
out of all land-based animal proteins.
Incorporating renewable energy in poultry production enabled the New Zealand poultry industry to shape the future of protein production and champion a more sustainable food system.
Lodestone has used Trina Solar’s state-ofthe-art trackers and bi-facial solar panels. The two-in-portrait solar panels have been mounted on single-axis trackers, which are automated to track the sun’s movement from east to west.
The bi-facial panels generate electricity through direct light absorption, and the light is reflected off the land below the
panels. This has made solar farms around thirty to forty percent more productive than fixed rooftop solar, resulting in lower costs, higher efficiency, better use of embedded carbon, and more energy generation.
The solar farms have been built to ensure the land remains multi-use once the solar farms are built. The panels have been raised more than two metres from the ground and set in 9m to 11m wide rows, allowing machinery to work and livestock to graze around the solar arrays.
This has enabled traditional agriculture and horticulture activities to continue
alongside solar generation, increasing the land’s potential productivity.
Each solar farm’s capacity varies but is generally designed between 32 MWp and 50 MWp. Lodestone’s first two solar farms, Kohirā and Rangitaiki, generate over 100,000 MWh annually, enough energy to power over 15,000 homes.
Lodestone has more solar farms currently under construction, including Pāmu Rā ki Whitianga in Coromandel and Te Herenga o Te Rā in the Bay of Plenty. These farms have a combined capacity of 75 MWp (115,000MWh per annum) and can power over 16,000 homes annually.
Lodestone’s solar farms have been developed in regional areas, which typically experience higher transmission costs and lower levels of local generation.
The solar farms will add significant capacity to their local network and contribute to the fixed transmission costs in the region. However, how this is passed on depends on broader supply factors, the network operator, and retailers.
Each solar farm that Lodestone has developed has employed local contractors in its construction. This has created economic value through job creation and longer-term value through developing new skills in a prospering solar industry.
Lodestone Ground Breaking: L-R James Kilty, Joe Davis, Gary Holde, Scott Simpson
Ingham’s tour Lodestone Energy’s Waiotahe solar farm, Te Herenga o Te Rā.
Pictured L-R: Sarah McHardy, Lodestone Energy GM Customer; Matthew Easton, Inghams GM Operations NZ; Boram Keam, Inghams Head of Environment, Sustainability & External Relations NZ; Nick Murray, Lodestone Energy Project Manager
power : capricorn power
HEAT to Power
Capricorn Power has developed a new form of engine that uses heat (above 500°) to drive it and generate electricity. The heat is generated outside the engine and transferred into it using a ‘heat exchanger’, allowing the engine to use a wide range of energy sources without modifying or reprogramming it.
Since the heat has been applied from outside the engine, Capricorn Power can utilise a wide range of energy sources that cannot be used in an internal combustion engine.
Industries that are ideally suited to use this method operate for extended hours, have a source of waste, have high electricity costs, and can use the electricity generated by the engine from their own waste.
Facilities include agricultural processors (timber, cotton, straw), food processors (olives, nuts), wastewater treatment plants (sludge and biogas), and councils (green waste and non-recyclable waste).
“We minimise waste transport and electricity transmission by using small modular generators located at the waste source (e.g. waste transfer stations, agricultural
GEOFF ANDREWS CEO & Founder
products processing, food manufacturers) and where the electricity is needed,” said Geoff Andrews, Board Chair of Capricorn Power.
“We use the waste to generate electricity and heat, eliminating the CO2 emissions that would otherwise be produced using fossil fuels.”
He added that the system also improved the economics of biochar production (a proven method of carbon capture and storage, which also improves agricultural productivity) by adding an electricity income stream.
Industrial waste heat and streams can be turned into heat using combustion or pyrolysis.
The Barton Heat Engine produces clean electricity, which can be hooked to the local grid and behind the meter.
“The engine is a key enabler of char
makers, which otherwise require some power to run (typically diesel generated) and, in turn, have excess heat or syngas, both of which we can make use of. We can achieve great financial, environmental and community outcomes by producing electricity and biochar as combined output at the community scale.”
However, Andrews said Capricorn Power
would not pursue some wastes as they have a high potential value, e.g., conversion to soil conditioner and recycling of plastics.
At the same time, he mentioned abundant waste streams without higher-value uses that could be used to generate electricity, such as council green waste, nut shells, olive pits, sawmill waste and waste wood, and agricultural residues.
“The energy potential is sufficient to meaningfully contribute to ‘getting off coal’ and providing 24/7 electricity to back up wind and solar. For example, wheat straw alone can provide 14 percent of Australia’s electricity demand.”
Capricorn Power has also planned to collaborate with local governments and businesses to source waste, with Andrews hoping that it would be ideal for the same organisation to be both the waste supplier and the consumer of the electricity.
“We have a demonstration engine and are working with potential customers to develop projects.”
The business’ waste-to-energy project has also benefitted the local community, mainly because it has lowered the cost of waste disposal.
“Less need to transport waste (less traffic, noise, cost). Local energy generation improves the reliability of the grid. Local waste processing removes the need for large landfills or waste-to-energy facilities.”
Capricorn Power has developed a first-ofa-kind air engine, which has solved one of the most complex climate problems: how to generate renewable electricity 24/7. It is open to investment to accelerate the transition from R&D to engine sales and manufacturing.
The proud team (L-R) Noel Barton AM, co-founder and investor, Mechanical Engineer Randolph Dietzel, Senior Mechatronics Engineer, Sophie Bainbridge, and Head of Projects Rowan Doyle
power : indigo power
ENERGY SYSTEM Sustainable Community
Community involvement has been at the heart of everything at Indigo Power. As a community-owned social enterprise, its mission has gone beyond providing electricity.
e aim to deliver 100 percent renewable energy across Australia and are committed to doing so in a way that supports and empowers local communities. We make sure that our operations reflect this commitment by ensuring half of our profits are directed towards achieving our renewable energy target,” said Ben McGowan, Managing Director at Indigo Power.
“This focus allows us to keep the needs of our communities at the forefront, whether through local energy projects, partnerships,
or creating opportunities for residents to benefit from renewable energy. We generate local employment opportunities; our team is based in North East Victoria.”
Collaboration with local organisations and businesses has been a big part of Indigo Power’s promotion of renewable energy. For example, it has partnered with Patagonia Australia to deliver a solar energy system in Wodonga. It has also been involved in the Energy Resilience Project in Upper Murray and Tumbarumba, which helped these regions strengthen their energy independence through renewable energy solutions.
“By working together, we can create lasting change and ensure local communities are part of the renewable energy transition.”
Sustainability has been another critical aspect of Indigo Power’s operations. The company has minimised its environmental impact by using electric vehicles for company cars, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
“We also own community batteries that store locally generated renewable energy, ensuring that clean energy is
available when needed. Additionally, all our electricity is carbon offset, so our customers can enjoy a cleaner, more sustainable energy source.”
Indigo Power promotes local renewable energy generation and consumption through its “Energy Sharing” approach. It shares energy between customers and nearby community projects, including community batteries. It buys carbon offsets for customers’ usage to compensate for electricity not shared from renewable sources.
McGowan said consumers could generate clean energy and share any excess with others in the network, creating a local and sustainable energy ecosystem.
Focusing on local renewable sources, Indigo Power has helped communities move towards 100 percent renewable energy while empowering them to share and benefit from it.
Consumers have also been offered a range of resources to help better understand their energy usage and find ways to reduce costs.
The Energy Sharing Portal has allowed customers to view their energy generation and usage and how much renewable energy
they share with others. The data they can access shows energy consumption patterns, helping users track and manage their usage effectively. The Indigo Power blog has insightful articles and tips on energy efficiency, renewable options, and project information.
In terms of upcoming projects, McGowan hinted towards an expansion of Indigo Power’s renewable energy offerings.
One such initiative was the community battery projects, which will soon be rolled out in several new locations in partnership with the Victorian and Australian Federal Governments. These batteries store excess renewable energy generated by local homes and businesses, making clean energy more accessible to everyone in the community.
“By expanding these projects, we’re increasing the availability of renewable energy and helping to build more resilient, self-sufficient energy systems for local communities.”
By working together, we can create lasting change and ensure local communities are part of the renewable energy transition.
power : sainsbury's
Wind in the Sails :
EIGHTH WIND FARM NOW HELPING TO POWER SAINSBURY’S
Sainsbury’s has begun to use new-to-planet renewable energy to power its business following the completion and commissioning of Pines Burn Wind Farm in the Scottish Borders.
Pines Burn is the eighth wind farm from which Sainsbury’s buys 100 percent of the energy generated. Sainsbury’s has committed to purchasing 100 percent of the renewable energy it produces over the next 15 years, significantly boosting its ambitious sustainability strategy, known as its Plan for Better.
Featuring seven brand-new, state-ofthe-art turbines, the wind farm added 33.6 megawatts (MW) of new electrical capacity to the power grid. It has been under construction since July 2022, when
Sainsbury’s signed an agreement to buy 100 percent of the electricity it generated with Capital Dynamics, an independent global private asset management firm and a key player in renewable energy investments.
“We are delighted to partner again with Sainsbury’s, this time on the development of Pines Burn Wind Farm. This commitment has been instrumental in bringing a new source of cost-effective, clean energy to the UK’s grid,” said Barney Coles, Managing Director and co-head of Clean Energy at Capital Dynamics.
“Strong corporate partnerships like
Sainsbury’s are critical for advancing the UK’s position as a global leader in renewable energy and meeting national carbon reduction goals. We look forward to further collaboration with Sainsbury’s and other forward-thinking companies to accelerate the private sector’s role in the energy transition.”
The new turbines have been expected to produce an average of around 92,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity every year, equivalent to approximately eight percent of Sainsbury’s annual energy requirements.
This is enough to continuously power over 1.7 million standard LED lightbulbs or provide electricity for around three million charging sessions at Sainsbury’s ultra-rapid EV charging service, Smart Charge.
“We’re very proud to be celebrating our eighth wind farm in Scotland following the completion of Longhill Burn in West Lothian last autumn. A state-of-the-art, sustainable source of new wind power, Pines Burn Wind Farm is helping us take another fantastic step towards reducing our reliance on carbon,” said Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Director of Property, Procurement and EV Ventures.
“Sainsbury’s was the first UK retailer to start purchasing wind energy directly
to power our business back in 2008. Our commitment to the future of Pines Burn, which both enabled its construction and guarantees its long-term viability, builds on our proven track record of investing in sustainable technologies.”
The project was developed in partnership with Energiekontor AG, which managed the wind farm construction and will oversee its day-to-day performance and maintenance. Pines Burn will benefit from Capital Dynamics’ and Energiekontor’s longstanding operations management experience.
“We are delighted to have successfully realised another important infrastructure project in Scotland, which we will continue to support by managing its operations.
Together with Capital Dynamics and Sainsbury’s, we are thus contributing to the UK achieving its Net Zero goal,” said Peter Szabo, CEO of Energiekontor AG.
“As a developer and operator of wind and solar projects, we will continue to consistently drive forward the realisation of our well-filled project pipeline in the UK Scotland in the coming months and years.”
How AI is revolutionizing supermarkets :
TACKLING FOOD WASTE AND BUILDING COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY
Artificial Intelligence is doing more than optimising supermarket operations and personalising shopping experiences—it’s playing a crucial role in reducing food waste and elevating grocery stores into community hubs for circularity.
This article explores how Intuitive AI’s Oscar technologies (Sort & Pixel) are helping supermarkets address food waste, promote recycling, and unlock new opportunities for customer engagement, loyalty, and profitability.
The Food Waste Challenge in Supermarkets
Supermarkets face a major challenge: a significant portion of food never reaches customers. Mismanagement, overordering, and dealing with ‘rejected’ items all contribute to an alarming amount of food waste that ultimately ends up in landfills.
With Intuitive AI’s Oscar Pixel technology, supermarkets can now
track food waste with greater precision, providing insights into where waste is occurring. This helps retailers make more accurate ordering decisions and redirect edible surplus to local food programs and community organisations, ensuring that perfectly good food is distributed to those in need rather than discarded.
Oscar Pixel does more than just identify waste; a single Oscar Pixel can monitor multiple dumpsters and compactors’ fullness and contamination levels. By leveraging AI to track these containers, supermarkets can optimise waste pickups based on real-time waste generation. This shift towards active waste pickups reduces the frequency of collections, saving time and money while promoting a more sustainable waste management process.
Supermarkets as Hubs for Recycling and Circularity
Today’s grocery stores are becoming more than just retail spaces—they are evolving into community centres with a growing responsibility to support circularity. Some supermarkets now offer collection points for hard-to-recycle items, such as light bulbs, beauty products, and certain plastics. However, consumer participation is often low, and contamination rates in recycling streams remain high.
Oscar Sort, the AI Recycling Assistant from Intuitive AI, addresses these challenges by tying recycling efforts to customer loyalty programs. Oscar incentivises shoppers to bring back recyclable packaging and materials through rewards, discounts, and loyalty programs, turning supermarkets into
active players in the circular economy. This encourages customers to return regularly, while stores can efficiently collect materials, reduce contamination, and send recyclable items back to suppliers, helping to minimise waste and reliance on virgin resources.
Growing Customer Loyalty and Revenue with the Oscar Platform
Oscar Sort’s role in circularity extends beyond managing waste—it also opens new doors for customer loyalty and revenue growth. When customers bring back packaging to be recycled—whether it’s food wrappers or product containers— supermarkets have a unique opportunity to engage them further. AI-powered systems can seamlessly tie these recycling efforts into
loyalty rewards, driving repeat visits and deepening customer relationships.
For brands, this means more than reduced waste—it’s a chance to strengthen circularity messaging while offering value to customers. By turning circularity into a loyalty-building tool, supermarkets can improve customer retention, reduce operational costs, and boost revenue through increased consumer engagement.
Redefining the Role of Supermarkets in a Sustainable Future
Intuitive AI is not only helping supermarkets reduce food waste and improve recycling practices—it’s also helping them redefine their role in the community. With Oscar Sort,
supermarkets can support the shift toward a regenerative economy, where resources are reused and waste is minimised. As grocery stores are encouraged and expected to take on a larger responsibility in fostering circularity, they’ll become essential hubs for environmental progress and customer engagement.
By embedding Intuitive AI’s technology into everyday operations, supermarkets can drive profitability while contributing to the greater good. This shift positions supermarkets as leaders in environmental stewardship and ensures they remain vital community spaces in a rapidly evolving world. The future of supermarkets is about more than just selling products—it’s about building a sustainable future for everyone. You can learn more about Intuitive AI and talk to the team at www.intuitiveai.ca
Oscar Pixel tracks food waste and monitors the fullness and contamination levels of multiple dumpsters and compactors.
Oscar Sort is an AI-powered recycling assistant that boosts sorting accuracy by as much as 96%.
Show your item to Oscar; it will seamlessly guide you to the correct disposal bin, making sustainability effortless.
IMPACT OF AI on the Grocery Sector
Retailers have increasingly adopted artificial intelligence, a suite of algorithms powered by vast and reliable data, to personalise the shopping experience.
Mordor Intelligence has estimated that the valuation of AI across various retail channels stood at USD 7.93 billion in 2023. With a robust projected CAGR of 32.68 percent, it’s set to leap to USD 40.49 billion by 2029.
The surging demand for AI in retail has been attributed to its prowess in streamlining processes, automating repetitive tasks, enriching customer interactions, and facilitating data-driven decision-making.
Driver: Increasing Demand for Personalised Recommendation
AI-driven recommendation systems scrutinise customer purchase histories,
preferences, and behaviours to deliver personalised product suggestions. This enables retailers to offer customised recommendations, enhancing customer satisfaction and boosting sales. Furthermore, AI algorithms refine inventory management by forecasting demand, pinpointing stock levels, and recommending ideal ordering quantities. Such optimisation guarantees that stores uphold appropriate stock levels, minimising product shortages and surplus inventory risks.
Challenge: High Initial Investment Cost in AI Infrastructure
Substantial initial investments in infrastructure, software, and skilled
personnel are often prerequisites for AI technologies. The costs associated with implementing AI systems, training employees, and seamlessly integrating AI into existing processes can be significant. Allocating the necessary budget for AI adoption poses a formidable challenge for smaller grocery stores or supermarkets with constrained resources, thus serving as a major barrier to entry.
Market Trends in AI Technology in Online and Offline Supermarkets:
• Autonomous Robots and Drones: Supermarkets and grocery stores increasingly deploy AI-powered robots and drones. These robots manage inventory, conduct shelf audits, and handle cleaning tasks. Meanwhile, drones facilitate indoor deliveries within expansive stores and manage last-mile deliveries directly to customers’ homes.
• Smart Checkout and Cashier-less Stores: AI is transforming the checkout process, leading to the rise of cashierless stores. Concepts like Amazon Go leverage computer vision, sensors, and AI to monitor items customers select and automatically charge them upon exit. This evolution offers a smooth shopping
experience, eliminating the need for conventional checkout lanes.
• Smart Shelving and Planogram Optimisation: AI-driven cameras and sensors oversee shelves, identify out-ofstock items, optimise product placements, and analyse customer behaviours. This smart shelf technology, powered by AI, utilises sensors and image recognition to monitor shelf conditions in real time.
• Voice Commerce: AI-powered voice assistants, such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri, drive voice commerce, enabling hands-free shopping. These voice assistants handle various order management tasks, encompassing payment processing, delivery scheduling, and order tracking.
• Smart Shopping List: AI-driven shopping lists recommend items tailored to customers’ buying patterns, dietary choices, and allergies, simplifying grocery planning and shopping.
• Customised promotion: AI can deliver customised discounts and recommendations by analysing customer purchasing patterns. These personalised promotions are specific offers, discounts, or suggestions crafted for individual customers, reflecting their distinct shopping behaviours, preferences, and interests.
Use Cases of AI Technology:
• Accurate Footfall Counting: AI-driven footfall monitoring delivers precise, real-time insights into customer traffic, removing the reliance on manual counting. Take Enalytix Footfall Counter as an example: it employs sophisticated computer vision and deep learning techniques to omit staff from footfall tallies, showcasing the data live on its dashboard.
• Taste Preference: AI-driven analysis of customer taste preferences employs machine learning algorithms to scrutinise behaviours, purchase histories, and other data, enabling accurate predictions of individual tastes.
• Virtual Shopping Assistants: AI-driven chatbots and voice assistants assist customers in product discovery, query resolution, and tailored recommendations. A prime example is Shelf AI, which enhances the grocery shopping experience with virtual assistants.
• Product Search and Filtering: AIdriven search engines leverage NLP to comprehend customer queries and deliver pertinent results. For example, Instacart’s “Ask Instacart” is a cutting-edge AI search tool designed to assist customers with
their grocery shopping questions.
• Product Recommendation: AI-driven systems scrutinise customer data to recommend products that resonate with individual preferences. Supermarkets leverage purchase histories and shopping behaviours to offer customised product suggestions and promotions. Such personalised experiences enhance shopping convenience and enjoyment, ensuring customers receive recommendations that reflect their tastes.
• Recipe Suggestion and Meal Planning: AI-driven platforms assess customer tastes, offering tailored recipes and meal plans. For example, Walmart’s “Meal Planning” tool leverages AI to recommend dishes and meal schedules that are aligned with customer preferences. In collaboration with Meredith, Walmart has launched the first-ever shoppable “bookazine”, showcasing a selection of editor-chosen recipes, including Allrecipes’ 30 Minute Meals.
By tapping into customer preferences, retailers can provide customised product recommendations, enhancing the shopping journey and driving sales.
meet the maker
NZ-FIRST
Lifecycle analysis has shown that a standard glass spirits bottle costs the planet up to six times more energy and requires four times more water than a paperboard bottle.
Mothers Ruined Gin has become the first company in Australasia to bring a paperboard bottle to market.
“We started with this bottle from day one because the environmental cost of glass is far higher than most people realise,” said cofounders Jo Davy and Helen Gower.
“It’s time to start understanding glass’s limitations, including that even if recycled, that process requires a huge amount of energy and water.”
Searching for an alternative to glass led the Mothers Ruined Gin team to the Frugal Bottle. They could not go back when they realised it had superior environmental credentials, was five times lighter than a glass bottle, and was virtually unbreakable.
The Frugal Bottle has a recycled paperboard outer and a recyclable inner liner similar to that used in boxed wine. This liner has been tested to ensure its safety and shelfstable, keeping the gin in excellent condition.
Mothers Ruined Gin has been made using the multi-shot method, which is timeefficient and far better for the planet than the more common single-shot method.
“Distilling is hungry in terms of energy and water, and our method means we
reduce our use of these resources by threefourths for every bottle of gin produced. There’s still some (entirely unfounded) stigma around gins produced this way, but we know it’s a much more innovative and sustainable way to distil.”
The duo said they believed in transparency about their reason for using this gin production method and were confident that the medals were a testament to the excellent quality of the resulting gin.
At the same time, they realised that they had taken a risk by using the Frugal Bottle since people expect a craft gin to come in a glass bottle. However, they wanted to challenge the norms around packaging and
get people thinking about alternatives to glass.
“We’ve become so conditioned to think that discarding a glass bottle after just one use is fine, but it’s not: single-use glass is one of the worst things for the planet, and it’s unrealistic to think that reusing spirits bottles is the answer,” they added.
“We might tell ourselves we’ll turn that beautiful bottle into a candle holder or use it for water, but invariably, it ends up in the recycling bin. It’s time to think differently in this space, and we’re here to champion change.”
To be legally classified as gin, the total
Continued on page 28.
It’s time to start understanding glass’s limitations, including that even if recycled, that process requires a huge amount of energy and water.
Helen Gower and Jo Davy Founders Mothers Ruined Gin
meet the maker
Continued from page 27.
weight of botanicals must be at least 50 percent juniper. Unfortunately, juniper has not been grown commercially in New Zealand, which is unfortunate for the country’s gin producers.
However, Mothers Ruined has managed to source all its fruit and other botanicals from New Zealand whenever possible, such as lemons and grapefruit from Gisborne and apples from Hawkes Bay.
Another sustainable aspect of the business is that it has used lactanol, a by-product of the New Zealand dairy industry, as the base ethanol for the gin.
“We’re using something that would otherwise go to waste.”
Working with its new business partner, Insprie Labs, Mothers Ruined Gin will also look to switch suppliers with superior ethical and sustainable credentials wherever possible over the coming months.
The team also uses an electric car and e-bike for local deliveries and has tried to get as close to zero waste as possible.
Discussing the sustainable future of the spirits industry in New Zealand, Davy and Gower said that due to the absence of any legislation, they would like the industry to develop its own code around the definition of terms such as ‘sustainability’,
‘environmentally friendly’ etc. so that consumers are not subject to greenwashing or unnecessarily confused.
“This area will likely be tightened up globally in the near future, so we’d be doing ourselves a favour as an industry that already relies heavily on offshore markets and is aiming to grow its exports further to be ahead of the curve.”
They hoped others would move towards alternatives such as the Frugal Bottle and inspire others to make meaningful changes to producing and packaging their products.
“Kiwis have a reputation for punching above their weight, and decarbonisation of the wine and spirits industry is one area where we need to live up to that.”
As for the future of Mothers Ruined, they were excited about the launch of Incrediballs in 2025.
“Our business partner Brianne West is behind this innovative product, and we expect it to give another big shake-up to the world of drinks and sustainability in New Zealand.”
L-R: Brianne West, Jo Davy, Helen Gowe, Ella Crosswell and Tristan Roberts
STARTUPStandout
Having worked at ERC Contracting, JeanLuc Ellis found that the current system for most construction and demolition (C&D) sites has been to order a general waste bin and send it to the landfill.
Approximately 50 percent of New Zealand’s landfill contributions come from the C&D industry, which produces about 4.5 tonnes of waste per newly built house, equating to $30,000 in value.
The current systems have drastically increased waste in landfills, increasing the industry’s carbon footprint and project costs with wasted materials and expensive general waste bins.
Ellis founded WasteXpert to combat this huge issue and reduce the country’s C&D industry’s carbon footprint and project costs.
“WasteXpert is proud to have finished and tested our first software platform, which has been used in case studies and by a large council and housing developer to gather waste data accurately,” said Ellis.
“WasteXpert works with principals and main contractors to reduce their wasted materials and divert their C&D waste from landfills.”
The company has been utilising a consulting service to engage these clients for on-site systems, waste separation, and disposal recommendations. This service has partnered with the bespoke software platform (WasteX) to forecast waste productions, track real-time data, and meet compliance reporting on various data.
WasteXpert’s services have helped
JEAN-LUC ELLIS WastXpert Co-Founder
businesses in the construction industry by reducing their waste costs and wasted resources and allowing them to be more sustainable with the data to prove it.
The solution has benefitted waste collectors by providing them with cleaner waste streams for collection that can be reused and recycled instead of going to landfills.
Communities have also benefited from WasteXpert, which contributed reusable materials back into the ecosystem for individuals to acquire and use at a lower cost and with less carbon impact.
For example, local community recycling centres can receive excess timber or offcuts over 600mm, which can be returned to community members instead of ending up in a landfill.
WasteXpert has worked closely with industry, local, and central government to ensure that all decisions have accounted for developments and specific industry needs.
Technology has also been a massive part of waste management solutions. The WasteX platform has dramatically improved accuracy and efficiency in storing and collecting data. It has also automated the time-consuming process of forecasting and planning.
“We’re excited to begin work on the second version of the WasteX platform, which will include an AI-powered tool for
data analysis and incorporating logistical emissions and other waste streams to improve data and reporting.”
Waste management across New Zealand has heavily relied on old-school systems centred around landfills. Ellis said the most significant issue in this space has been nationwide infrastructure for reuse options and recyclers.
While some cities had excellent infrastructure, they needed to be more consistent, putting pressure on logistics to move waste across large areas, which would not reduce the entire carbon footprint.
“More infrastructure and the utilisation of reverse logistics are required to make this change sustainably.”
Ellis has envisioned the waste management industry moving away from the reliance on singular skip bins and landfills. He mentioned that the focus would be on utilising data and analytics to reduce waste before it has been made, making data-driven decisions on sending waste to reuse options amongst communities and recyclers and moving to a circular economy focus instead of end-oflife solutions.
In terms of sustainability, WasteXpert’s goal has been to decarbonise the C&D industry’s resource consumption, decreasing its contribution to landfills and the overconsumption of resources that
WasteXpert is proud to have finished and tested our first software platform, which has been used in case studies and by a large council and housing developer to gather waste data accurately. WasteXpert works with principals and main contractors to reduce their wasted materials and divert their C&D waste from landfills.
leads to waste and excess expenditure.
The company has planned to showcase New Zealand’s innovative adaptation and development skills on the global stage. Ellis added that construction and demolition often lagged behind sustainable innovation, so this new treatment of resources and waste would bring about a worldwide movement.
“WasteXpert is excited about the future of this space and is currently undertaking a seed raise to advance the development of our platform and secure our pipeline of work. We aim to launch in Europe and the UK in 2026.”
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STAINLESS STEEL ENGINEERING
At DTS, we specialise in stainless steel engineering solutions for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Our tank design philosophy is to minimise waste and maximise profit, not only during tank fabrication, but also throughout the tank’s operational life and production. • Food & beverage tanks
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EUROTEC LTD
In the food industry, temperature measurements are part of the daily routine. The quality of food products can only be tested and guaranteed by precise measurements. The Testo range of measuring instruments, available from NZ authorized distributor Eurotec Ltd, a member of Carel Group, can carry out spot-check measurements in seconds.
Whether in the transport and storage of foods, in restaurants or in large kitchens, wherever temperature needs to be recorded, Testo measures up and helps you keep compliant. Testo enables you to guarantee optimal performance in key areas of your business.
Food industry instrumentation for incoming goods: Every item that enters your premises should undergo rigorous checks in order to ensure its quality and safety. Whether that be your weekly delivery of fresh fish, or the daily top up of your fruit and vegetable stocks, food can spend a long time in transit from the wholesaler before it arrives at your door. The testo 831 infrared thermometer is perfect for
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of Cool Chain Temperature Loggers can measure the temperature and humidity of your goods while in transit. With up to 150 days of battery life, you’ll be able to keep track of goods over long stretches, measure and analyse temperature and humidity data - arming you with information to implement changes when needed backed by data.
info@easirecycling.co.nz www.easirecycling.co.nz
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SCANZ is a multi-discipline supply company and manufacturers agent, specialising in technology and equipment for the food industry. It’s primary focus is within three market segments, namely fish (including aquaculture), meat and the dairy industry. High Pressure Processing takes Scanz into other areas, as does a recent involvement in industrial waste water treatment.
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With over 40 years operating experience in New Zealand, TC Transcontinental Packaging New Zealand (TC NZ) is a leading manufacturer of flexible packaging to the FMCG, horticulture, retail and manufacturing markets
TC NZ is both a reputable manufacturer and trader, supplying all forms of flexible packaging made from traditional plastic films recycled blended films, laminated barrier substrates. TC NZ employs over 90 people in New Zealand with centres in Auckland and Christchurch, home to an ultra-modern food grade packaging manufacturing plant, and supported by our global TC Transcontinental research and technology platform from North America.
TC Transcontinental Packaging brings a distinctive blend of science, technology, and art together to create flexible packaging that preserves our customers’ products and accentuates their brands on the store shelf. Our expertise, resources and conversion technology helps us create packaging that gives our customers a competitive advantage. We utilise a widevariety of printing techniques, laminations and converting styles including pouches that help enhance your brand.
We invest in state of the art technology to offer and invest in a sustainable future and are delighted to be recognised for our high quality packaging that we supply to our customers. Globally TC Transcontinental Packaging is committed to a circular approach to plastic. As global signatories to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, we are working towards our 2025 goal where 100% of our plastic packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable, and 10% of our plastic output to be made from recycled plastic waste.
At the 2022 Pride in Print Awards, TC NZ were awarded Gold Sustainability Award in the Flexible Packaging Category for our significant volumes used into industrial, refuse and hygiene packaging. TC NZ are meeting customer requirements by extruding and converting recycled resins of in-house, postindustrial waste, and post-consumer recycled content , Green PE (PE derived from renewable resources such as waste sugar cane), and has the ability to manufacture flexible packaging with other
