Purina Animal Nutrition LLC
Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership
2017
The service and professionalism of the P3 group was outstanding! They were able to collect and analyze data in a fraction of the time it would have taken my group to mobilize and execute the way they did. Well worth the time investment and it was good giving the young professionals real life experience out in the field for them to test their knowledge. Our thanks to Nebraska MEP and the College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for offering this program.
Lance Staggenborg, Plant Manager
Purina Animal Nutrition LLC Reaps the Benefits of Reducing Local Wastewater Footprint
Purina Animal Nutrition LLC, located in Fremont, NE, is an industrial facility specializing in the production of mineral premix and tubs of nutrient supplemented molasses for animal feed markets. The plant uses approximately 200,000 pounds of molasses daily in a process that is only utilized in a handful of other locations worldwide. As part of the wider parent company of Land O’ Lakes, a leader in animal feed production, this particular site employs approximately 45 persons.
Situation
As part of its continuous improvement initiatives aimed at achieving greater sustainability and lowing operating costs, Purina Animal Nutrition was looking for extra assistance to help expedite the task of reducing its wastewater demand on the city of Fremont, NE.
Solution
In partnership with Nebraska MEP and the College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, an engineering student was placed at the site location over the course of a summer as part of the P3—Partners in Pollution Prevention—internship program. The student completed an assessment of wastewater generation and its loading to municipal treatment throughout the plant process and made recommendations on ways to reduce said waste water generation, while still in keeping with Purina Animal Nutrition quality and environmental metrics.
Results
Based on the results of the assessment and subsequent implementation, Purina Animal Nutrition of Fremont, NE is reaping the following annual impacts:
- Reduced wastewater contaminates by 141,000 pounds, saving $26,500
- Decreased fresh water usage by 8.8 MM gallons, saving $27,100
- Lowered electrical usage by 180,000 kWh, saving $2,600
- Reduced the amount of salt used by 42,000 pounds, saving $6,600