September 2018
Brightwater biomass co-firing
Moved to co-firing wood biomass, reducing overall annual site carbon emissions by around 2,400 tonnes – the equivalent of removing around 530 cars from New Zealand roads.
Fonterra is on a journey to eliminate coal as a fuel source in our operations and is making bold moves to decarbonise its manufacturing sites.
At Edendale we have replaced one of our boilers with an electrode boiler, which we expect will cut site emissions by about 20% per year. Fonterra has plans to phase out coal as an energy source by 2037, and we are making significant investments in renewable energy and efficiency improvements to help create a sustainable future for New Zealand dairy.
Decarbonisation journey at Edendale
The electrode boiler project – from first conversion to future expansion.
At our Edendale manufacturing site in the South Island, we process up to 15 million litres of milk per day, producing a wide range of dairy products. In 2024, we made a significant step forward in sustainability by replacing one of the coal boilers with an electrode boiler, which:
Generates 30 megawatts of thermal energy using electricity
Runs on 11,000 volts per hour to efficiently convert water into steam
Is expected to reduce site emissions by about 20% annually, contributing to Fonterra’s larger goals
Building on this progress, Fonterra has announced plans to install two additional electrode boilers at Edendale by 2027. This will help to further reduce the site’s emissions, increase our renewable energy use, and accelerate our transition away from coal as a fuel source, making Edendale a key example of sustainable manufacturing in New Zealand.
Our journey to phase out coal
At Fonterra, we’re committed to building a more sustainable future. From investing in renewable energy solutions to phasing out coal as a fuel source, here’s how we’re working to transform our operations – one milestone at a time.
August 2020
Te Awamutu boiler conversion
Converted the coal boiler to use wood pellets, removing coal use and emissions by around 84,000 tonnes – the equivalent of removing around 35,000 cars from New Zealand roads.
August 2023
Stirling biomass boiler
Stirling's wood biomass boiler has reduced annual carbon emissions by around 18,500 tonnes – the equivalent of removing around 7,700 cars from New Zealand roads – and is the Co-op's first site running on 100% renewable thermal energy.
September 2023
Whareroa heat pumps
Installation of New Zealand’s largest heat pumps as part of a refrigeration upgrade, decreasing annual carbon emissions by around 9,100 tonnes – the equivalent of removing around 3,800 cars from New Zealand roads.
February 2024
Clandeboye heat recovery project
The new heat recovery system in the Lactose plant aims to decrease annual carbon emissions by around 3,000 tonnes – the equivalent of removing around 1,250 cars from New Zealand roads.
August 2024
Hautapu boiler conversion
Conversion from coal to wood pellets, with an expected annual emissions reduction of around 12,000 tonnes – the equivalent of removing around 6,500 cars from New Zealand roads.
October 2024
Waitoa wood biomass boiler
The new boiler at Waitoa halved coal usage at the site at that time, cutting emissions by around 46,000 tonnes annually – the equivalent of removing around 20,000 cars from New Zealand roads.
October 2024
Edendale electrode boiler
The Co-op’s first electrode boiler generates steam from electricity and cuts the site’s annual overall emissions by around 37,500 tonnes – the equivalent of removing around 15,600 cars from New Zealand roads.
November 2024
Coal free in manufacturing operations in the North Island
With the turning off of the Co-op's Waitoa site’s last coal boiler, the Co-op announced it was no longer using coal in the North Island. Work continues to transition the five sites in the South Island that still use coal.
August 2027
Two new electrode boilers at Edendale
These will replace two coal-fired boilers, supporting milk processing and future growth at the site, including the new UHT plant. Expected to reduce emissions by approximately 72,800 tonnes of CO₂e annually.
2037
Goal to be out of coal
Fonterra aims to eliminate coal use across all operations by 2037, reinforcing its commitment to renewable energy.
2050
Net zero emissions ambition
Fonterra has an ambition to be net zero by 2050, helping to support a sustainable future for generations to come.
Decarbonisation success stories
While there’s still lots of work to be done, explore how we are reducing emissions and helping to build a more sustainable future for dairy.