Decarbonisation options for the Dutch sugar industry

Sugar production in the Netherlands

This report describes the current situation of the Dutch sugar production and the options and conditions for its decarbonisation. There are two sugar factories in the Netherlands, at Dinteloord and Vierverlaten, both operated by Suiker Unie, part of Royal Cosun, an agro-industrial cooperative. Sugar production from beet is seasonal, starting typically in the beginning of September and ending mid January. The annual sugar production is around 0.9–1.3 million tonnes, depending on beet production, beet quality and campaign length.

The annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Suiker Unie vary from 210 to 272 kt CO₂eq. Most of the CO₂ emissions are energy related as natural gas is used in a combined heat and power generation unit (CHP) to produce the required steam and electricity.

Decarbonisation options

The main short-term opportunities to further decarbonise CO₂ emissions related to natural gas combustion in the sugar industry are electrification (heat pumps, electric boilers) and the substitution of natural gas by biogas.

Mapping decarbonisation options is an ongoing process. The MIDDEN project will update and elaborate further on options in the future, in close connection with the industry.