AMSTERDAM — Cargill has unveiled investments to improve sustainability practices in its cocoa supply chain, from cocoa-origin countries in West Africa to processing hubs in Europe. The investments are designed to reduce carbon emissions, eliminate waste and boost efficiency.

In the Ivory Coast, cocoa shells that previously were discarded are used to fuel biomass boilers. In Ghana, a solar plant powers production in Tema, and new tanks that meet ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards are replacing disposable packaging, providing an opportunity to reduce up to 100 tonnes of waste each month, according to Cargill. Upon arriving in Europe, the cocoa beans are stored in solar-powered warehouses in Amsterdam and then transported via fully electric barges, which eliminates 190,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions annually, to Cargill’s factory in Zaandam, The Netherlands, according to Cargill. Windpark Hanze, Cargill’s renewable energy partnership with Vattenfall, provides the electricity for the barges and Cargill’s Dutch facilities.

After processing, the cocoa shells are used as fuel in Cargill’s biomass boiler in Amsterdam, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 19,000 tonnes each year. Together with the wind farm Cargill and Vattenfall operate with Windpark Hanze, the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions reaches 31,000 tonnes per year.

Semi-finished cocoa products are shipped to Wormer, The Netherlands, via trucks that run on bio-liquefied natural gas (LNG). Finished cocoa powder is stored at a warehouse in Zaandam that features solar panels, automated vehicles, and intermodal rail and barge connections. Cargill delivers its semi-finished cocoa products to its chocolate processing sites and customers across Europe by using renewable fuels and short sea shipping,

Minneapolis-based Cargill has a goal of reducing supply chain emissions by 30% per ton of product by 2030.