Nestlé expands the steam production capacity of the biomass boiler at its Cantabrian factory

Nestlé , through Bioenergy Ibérica , a company specializing in the construction of renewable energy projects and waste management, has increased the steam production capacity of the biomass boiler located in its chocolate factory in La Penilla de Cayón (Cantabria), which has been in operation since 2022.

This expansion will allow steam generation using both cocoa husks, a byproduct of the roasting process, and certified wood chips . This will increase the facility's capacity by 30 to 40% .

With this expansion, the biomass boiler at Nestlé's La Penilla de Cayón plant will reduce annual net CO2 equivalent emissions by a total of 2,850 tons, allowing Nestlé to advance in its commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Promoting the circular economy:
This factory's biomass boiler uses the cocoa husks obtained during the roasting process as biofuel to produce steam, which in turn becomes an energy source for the roasting process itself. With this installation, Nestlé promotes the circular economy in its production processes .

Furthermore, the supplied wood chips comply with current applicable regulations, in particular the SURE Certificate, which guarantees its entire traceability chain and sustainability for the production of thermal energy.

“We are committed to finding energy solutions that provide local energy, and this biomass project is an extraordinary example ,” said José Luis Romero, Operations Director of Bioenergy Ibérica . “Transforming industry with projects like these allows us to achieve less dependence on fossil fuels, as well as a net-zero CO2 emissions economy and society ,” Romero added.

For its part, “Nestlé continues its commitment to decarbonizing its production processes. For years, the company has used biomass boilers in some of its factories. This new installation joins the boiler located at the Girona coffee factory, where coffee grounds from the production of instant coffee are used to generate energy efficiently. This is a clear example of a circular economy ,” highlighted Jordi Aycart, Head of Sustainability at Nestlé Spain .

A landmark factory.
Established in 1905, the Nestlé factory in La Penilla de Cayón was the company's first in Spain. Today, the Cantabrian plant is one of Nestlé Spain's most important production centers, dedicated to the production of Extrafino chocolate bars, desserts, Caja Roja chocolates, Nesquik instant cocoa, infant cereals, products for Nescafé Dolce Gusto, and Buitoni empanada wrappers.