Pfeifer & Langen Polska, which spent more than PLN 300 million on investments, renovations and development projects in 2023, plans to spend a similar amount on development this year, said Pfeifer & Langen Polska maintenance and energy director Jacek Grochowiecki.
The priority for the company is energy transformation and and the development of modern technologies, as consumers expect sustainably produced food.
“In 2023, we will spend around PLN 300 million on investments, renovations and other development projects. This year, the planned budget for investments will be at a level comparable to the previous year. More than 80 per cent of the cost is the completion of the construction of gas boiler houses at the sugar factories in Wielkopolska and the gas network. The remainder of the budget consists of investments related to improving the efficiency of production processes,” said Grochowiecki.
“When planning projects, including investments, we always analyse them in terms of sustainability. One of the main goals is to reduce the impact on the natural environment, which is what sugar consumers expect. This year, we will be implementing a whole series of projects related to optimising production processes in terms of thermal energy consumption and reducing CO2 emissions,” he added.
The most important investment last year was the construction of three gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plants at the Wielkopolska sugar plants, which are due to be commissioned this year. In Glinojecko, the existing CHP plant was modernised to reduce coal consumption. Work was also underway on the first phase of a photovoltaic farm at this, Pfeifer & Langen Polska’s largest sugar factory.
The director also stated that investment work on the construction of the photovoltaic farm in Glinojecko is progressing according to plan.
“The design phase, the obtaining of permits and the delivery of the main components are completed. At the moment, we anticipate launching the photovoltaic farm as planned – in the summer months,” he added.
The year 2023 was a busy one for the company, with more than 230 projects underway, including capital projects. Each of them – from those implemented in the sugar beet production process to logistics and transport of finished products – was part of a strategy to implement sustainable solutions. Sugar factories also carried out cyclical renovations. More than PLN 300 million was allocated to all projects, the company previously reported.
As part of the Pfeifer & Langen Polska Group, sugar production in Poland is carried out by four sugar plants: in Środa Wlkp., Gostyń, Miejska Górka and Glinojecko. These plants buy beet exclusively from Polish growers and sell their products, among others, under the Diamant brand.
Source: Pfeifer & Langen Polska and ISBnews
Photo: Pfeifer & Langen Poland
