MPC gets cracking on energy efficiency with $1.4m grant

The Macadamia Processing Company (MPC) has secured a $1.484 million Clean Technologies Food and Foundries Investment Program grant for major energy-efficiency upgrades and expansion to its factory macadamia nut drying system.

The proposed upgrades will reduce the drying system’s carbon emissions by 99.6% and save an estimated $810,000 through reduced energy consumption and the reduced need for off-site storage of nuts during the harvest season.

The company has already begun the upgrade, modifying its existing final-stage drying room where the nuts are dried down in preparation for cracking. Later, MPC will construct a new energy-efficient drying building with capacity to store and dry 1500 tonnes of macadamia nuts. When complete, it will be the largest facility of its type for macadamias in the world.

“Both rooms will be insulated to prevent heat loss and computer controlled to ensure optimised drying without energy wastage,” said MPC General Manager Steven Lee. “We will also install a hot water boiler that is fuelled by macadamia shells - a renewable fuel source that will replace the existing LPG system and further reduce MPC’s drying costs.

“Our primary aim is to provide the highest quality macadamia kernel to our customers around the world whilst improving returns to our growers. This new drying system will work well with our plans to grow the macadamia industry in Australia in a stable and sustainable way to ensure the long-term viability of the industry.”