It began as an idea for capturing energy from waste lagoons at our beef and pork facilities. The capture of methane gas grew into energy-producing technology we have shared with ranchers and dairy producers worldwide. For example, we have helped three large dairies in the United States install anaerobic digesters to convert cow manure to electricity. At peak capacity, the digester is expected to produce 1.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a month, enough to power more than 3,000 homes. 

• Livestock manure from local farms. A popular tourist island in Korea now has an alternative power source for electricity: livestock manure from local farms. A new, Cargill-funded biogas plant on the island province of Jeju will convert livestock manure into energy through a fermentation process that generates methane. The methane will then be converted into electricity and sold to the local power grid, generating nearly 700,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. As part of its long-term commitment to environmental innovation, Cargill donated $500,000 to Jeju National University to support its investment in the plant.

• Worldwide biogas projects. Cargill has biogas projects around the world, including sites in Mexico, South Africa, China, Honduras, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. By installing digesters and engines that convert waste into power, we provide a sustainable alternative to traditional waste management to customers and help offset methane emissions in the process. And in early March Cargill announced an investment in a similar project on the island province of Jeju, Korea. Transforming waste from hog farms, the Korea site will generate nearly 700,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year.