A major Prairie canola processor that’s certified to crush "sustainable" feedstock oils for the European biodiesel market has set up a program to certify its canola growers.
ADM (Archer Daniels Midland) Agri-Industries at Lloydminster, Alta. on Tuesday 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 maximize the marketing potential and value of their seeds."
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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 in a release.
"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 canola from local growers as well as from ADM’s elevators at Carberry, Man., about 50 km east of Brandon, and at Watson, Sask., about 40 km east of Humboldt.
ADM said its program is offered free of charge and includes a kit to help organize 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.
Canadian growers interested in the Sustainable Grower Program are asked to contact Curtis Lystang at [email protected].
The Lloydminster facility, which is ADM Agri-Industries’ first ISCC-certified site in North America, also produces food-grade canola 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.
Related story:
ADM confirms biodiesel plant for Lloydminster, Nov. 14, 2011
