C226 - Tomoana Pelt Processors Ltd, Hastings
- Hawkes Bay region
Summary
Tomoana Pelt Processors identified and implemented a cleaner production project
that improves raw material utilisation. As a consequence the company has
saved an estimated $71,000 per year, with a return on the capital investment
of under 5 months.
Business Profile
Tomoana Pelt Processors commenced business in October 1995 in the former Weddel
Tomoana North Fellmongery at Whakatu in the Hawkes Bay. This purpose built
fellmongery , built in 1981, is now a joint venture operation owned by three
meat by-product processor exporters - Lowe Corporation, Taylor Preston and
Te Kuiti Meat Processors. The plant processes Lamb, Sheep, Goats and Bobby
Calf skins from its shareholder plants as well as other North Island suppliers.
The main season for the plant is from October through to June.
The plant operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week over the
peak season. At present there is a total staff on site of 89.
The plant produces pickled pelts and slipe wool mainly for export
with some local supply.
Type of Projects
Raw material reuse.
Reasons for Projects
Tomoana Pelt Processors recognised the cleaner production approach advocated
by the Target Zero programme as an opportunity to cut costs and to reduce
dependence on limited resources and to improve efficiencies in a competitive
market. The export-oriented business requires high standards in quality of
product, operational efficiencies and increasingly in environmental performance.
Target Zero
Tomoana Pelt Processors has been a participant in Target
Zero, a two-year sponsored cleaner production programme involving
12 companies in Christchurch and 10 in Hawkes Bay during the
period 1997-1999. The programme was sponsored by the Sustainable
Management Fund of the Ministry for the Environment, Meridian
Energy Ltd (formerly ECNZ), and the local authority and electricity
company in each area.
The Projects
Pickle Liquor Recycle
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Description
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Pickle liquor containing salt, acid and fungicide is used
in the last stage of the fellmongery process. The existing
practice was to discharge all the pickle liquor after treating
one batch of skins.
The installation of a storage tank and pipe-work allowed
the pickle liquor to be recycled and used more than once.
The major saving for the plant was the reduction in salt
consumption, with a smaller reduction in acid use.
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Environmental Benefit
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Reduction in trade waste volume and acid discharge.
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Economic Benefit |
Capital cost $28,880
Savings $71,070/annum,
Payback 5 months |
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For additional information contact:
Barry Pulford
Tomoana Pelt Processors Ltd
PO Box 1260
Hastings
Ph (06) 870 0526
Fax (06) 870 0509 |
For further information about the Target Zero programme
see following publication:
- You too can profit from cleaner production
and waste minimisation
- Coordinating cleaner production
programmes. Lessons from Target Zero
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