ADM supplies ISCC-certified soyabeans to Europe

Renewable products company Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has achieved the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) to supply sustainably grown soyabeans to the European market.

ADM will be the first company to provide Europe with ISCC-certified sustainable soya that meets the requirements of the EU's Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

By the end of 2011 ADM aims to produce up to 250,000 tonnes of sustainable soyabeans at its two Germany-based crushing facilities in Hamburg and Mainz.

'The ISCC allows ADM to maintain our leadership position in the importation of soyabeans to the European market while encouraging sustainable farming practices among growers,' says Jake Beaverson, general manager, ADM European Soybean Crushing.

In order to be eligible for certification, companies must meet stringent standards for sustainable biomass and biofuels production, and as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the complete production chain.

As part of the certification process, ADM and select farmers in South America underwent intensive audits to evaluate the sustainability of their business practices and processes, as well as traceability within the supply chain. ADM then worked directly with growers to implement best practices to meet certification requirements for export to the European market.

The ISCC was developed to guarantee that biofuels and biomass for biofuels are produced in compliance with recent EU legislation that requires, by January 2011, all biofuels and biomass in Germany to be certified according to the RED requirements.

In similar news, ADM has signed an agreement to purchase a majority share of Poland-based Elstar Oils.

Elstar Oils produces biodiesel, in addition to refined vegetable oils and fats for the food industry.

The company, located in northern Poland, operates a fully automated biodiesel facility in Malbork and a rapeseed crushing, refining, solid-fat packaging and oil bottling facility in Czernin.

'Elstar's location in the heart of a rapeseed growing region, with easy access to the ports of Gdansk and Gdynia, complements our existing presence in the region and will enable ADM to further strengthen its position in Eastern Europe,' says Brent Fenton, president of ADM Europe.

The purchase is subject to approval by relevant antitrust authorities.