Aug 6 2010 --- Cargill will invest AU$ 13 million in upgrading the wastewater treatment system of its Wagga Wagga beef processing facility to fully capture biogas emitted during treatment. The upgrade will reduce the facility's carbon footprint by over 17% and significantly improve the facility's water discharge quality. The project is being implemented in partnership with the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) who contributed AU$ 2.9 million to the project from climate change funding.

During the effluent system upgrade, (ESU) existing ponds will be replaced with two new, covered anaerobic ponds that will each have a volume of 28,000 cubic meters. A biogas collection system will be installed to enable reclaiming of all biogas from the waste water lagoon, which is rich in methane. The upgrade allows for a future installation of a cogeneration facility to generate approximately one megawatt of renewable electricity from biogas.

The upgrade will also deliver significantly improved effluent quality, with the water suitable for a greater number of uses to help meet community needs. The project is on track for final commissioning in May 2011 according to a milestone schedule developed in close consultation with the NSW DECCW and Department of Planning.

This important project supports Cargill's global commitment to reduce the company's environmental footprint by improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy sourced from renewable sources and improving fresh water efficiency.