JBS Australia's Scone bioenergy system in operation

Meat and food processor JBS Australia (JBS) has completed the construction of a bioenergy system at its Scone processing plant. The system, which is now in operation, captures wastewater emissions to use onsite biogases and reduce the Scone processing plant’s carbon dioxide emissions.

The bioenergy system has transformed the Scone plant’s wastewater treatment process into a circular flow that captures a naturally occurring by-product from wastewater, known as biogas, which is then used as a viable renewable gas.

JBS partnered with Energy360 to design and install the bioenergy infrastructure. This included the installation of two gas-tight pond covers that encase the plant’s anaerobic wastewater lagoons to prevent biogas and waste odour from entering the atmosphere.

This biogas is then redirected for use as a production heat source in substitute of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Through its circular model, the bioenergy system will reduce the equivalent of approximately 23,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. In addition to reducing its emissions, the project has enabled cost efficiencies by lessening LNG usage and reliance.

This bioenergy system represents one of two biogas projects commissioned this year by JBS Australia, with a total $11.1 million invested across its Scone and Beef City (Toowoomba) facilities.

Sam McConnell, Chief Operating Officer JBS Southern division, said that the Scone bioenergy system demonstrates JBS’s focus on developing innovative solutions to improve sustainability outcomes.

“We’re excited to operate JBS Southern’s first complete bioenergy system at Scone, which aims to simultaneously reduce our emissions and our reliance on LNG. We see significant potential to introduce more renewable energy solutions across our Southern sites, with Scone’s system exemplifying how we can innovate to create processes that boost operational efficiency while lessening our environmental impact,” McConnell said.

James Turner, Scone Processing Plant Manager, said the Scone team is pleased to bring the new bioenergy system into commission and commended the construction workers who seamlessly installed the infrastructure.

“The JBS Scone team is proud to unveil the plant’s new bioenergy system, which was made possible by the combined hard work of our construction contractors, site engineers and development partner, Energy360. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the design and construction of this project,” Turner said.

“The bioenergy system enables us to make the most of our waste and manage our input costs by introducing an energy source that is naturally derived from our operations.”

Image credit: JBS Australia.