With the assistance of external service providers, energy- saving opportunities are continually evaluated across the Group’s integrated value chain. Quantum Foods’ main energy-intensive activities relate to the boilers used in the preparation of animal feeds, the temperature control of hatching eggs, the rearing of layer and broiler chicks and the overall production of egg packing stations. Opportunities for energy efficiency and savings include process optimisation and the introduction of advanced technologies to reduce the burden of the Group’s energy- intensive activities.
During 2020, solar panel projects were approved for the Hiveld layer hatchery in Bronkhorstspruit and the Boshoek layer farm near Tarlton. Further opportunities for solar systems were identified and will be evaluated for implementation going forward based on improving efficiency at an optimised cost-benefit ratio. This will assist in reducing Quantum Foods’ dependency on electricity generated from non-renewable sources.