Author: Nina Schwarz

Jane Brindle, Technical Advisor at Leo Group and first female chair of the Foodchain & Biomass Renewable Association (FABRA UK) since November last year, looks back on a busy year of changes: The Annual General Meeting in November marked the end of my first year as Chairman. It has been a very busy time, where did that year go? Looking back, it has been dominated by preparations for changes to Border Controls (and just when everyone is almost ready, they get postponed – start again!) and for the review of Best Available Techniques (BAT) for our industry. At times this role can be challenging – trying to get people to agree on a solution that suits everyone – or it can be painfully slow as you keep chasing Government Departments for updates. I will never get used to the ‘slower speed’ of Government compared to industry when

Omega Proteins Ltd, which is part of the Leo Group and operates an animal by-products processing plant to the west of Penrith, has submitted an application for planning permission to install a district heating system. This project is in line with our corporate strategy and policy, as Leo Group is committed to using the best available techniques and adopting environmentally friendly technologies to help the UK achieve its net-zero ambitions. Protecting the environment and reducing our CO2 emissions is a top priority for us. Andrew Watt at Maze Planning Solutions, Leo Group’s planning consultant commented: “The Government’s Energy Act became law on 26 October; it includes measures to promote and support the creation of heat networks as a means of addressing the challenges of climate change, so the principles of the scheme proposed for Penrith finds support at the highest level. The construction of heat networks

Leo Group is a finalist in this year's Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards in the Sustainability category. The award, which recognises the best businesses in Yorkshire, is a calendar highlight of the region and has seen some of the biggest names in business become winners in recent years. This year's awards attracted more than 260 entries, which were judged with great care and attention by a group of highly qualified judges in a two-stage process of individual assessments followed by a judging session last week. The finalists represent the full spectrum and diversity of business and industry, from young entrepreneurs to seasoned leaders in the public and private sectors. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at Headingley Stadium in Leeds on Wednesday 22 November. The Sustainability Award is presented to a company that puts sustainability and the environment at the heart of its business. Danny

As part of the British Chambers of Commerce's annual Chamber Business Awards 2023, we are delighted to announce that Omega Proteins Ltd Penrith (Leo Group Ltd) has been named the regional winner of the Chamber Business Awards 2023 in the Planet Saver category. The awards, now in its 20th year, is one of the showpieces of the business calendar, highlighting the role of firms in delivering growth and prosperity for the UK and local communities. The Planet Saver award recognises the work of an organisation with sustainability at the heart of their business. They are fully committed to sustainable best practice and making the world a better and safer place. We are proud to be this year's Cumbria Chamber of Commerce regional winner. Protecting the environment and contributing to a sustainable future have been at the forefront of Leo Group's vision and values over the last four

Leo Group is delighted to announce the participation of its owner Danny Sawrij, friend and neighbour of Doddie Weir, in the Kenny Logan's Rugby World Cup Challenge, a 700 mile walk and cycle challenge from Edinburgh to Paris for the Rugby World Cup to raise £555,555 for the MY NAME'5 DODDIE FOUNDATION. Leo Group is a long-time supporter of the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and is proud to be one of the major sponsors of the Kenny Logan's Rugby World Challenge to raise much needed funds for Motor Neuron Disease research. On 1 October, Danny will join many others, including celebrities such as Kenny and Gabby Logan, Jimmy Nesbitt, Jamie Bamber and Jason Fox, in this physically and mentally demanding challenge to mark the first Rugby World Cup since the sad passing of Doddie Weir. Participants will cover the 700 miles from Edinburgh to Paris in just

Leo Group, one of the UK's leading specialists in animal by-products and renewable energy, headquartered in Halifax, West Yorkshire, has completed the construction of its new maritime storage terminal at the Port of Sunderland. The storage tanks will hold the oil recycled from Leo Group's Omega Protein plants across the UK and allows the company to load some of the largest tankers in operation today. This oil, a highly valuable cargo, is shipped to world-renowned energy companies and is used to generate renewable energy as well as being processed into high-tech 'green' SAF and HVO fuel. In recent years, demand for biofuel has soared as it has been shown to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 per cent compared to conventional fossil fuels. The oil, a natural by-product derived from animal waste that the company collects across the UK, is a key component in

Contrary to popular belief, animal by-products are no longer considered waste, but are recognised as a very valuable material that is processed into ingredients for high-quality modern products. Recently we were asked how our process for receiving and processing animal by-products at our Penrith site works in terms of odour control, and we thought this would be a good opportunity to explain this in more detail to prevent any misconceptions. From the collection and delivery of the material to the final processed product and dispatch, we follow a set process and strict quality control underpinned by our GMP+ certification, the world's largest feed certification scheme, and PAS 99 - Certification covering ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and ISO 45001 (Health & Safety Management). Animal rendering is not a dirty business, as some still claim, but takes place in a high-tech facility under completely hygienic

Leo Group is committed to investment and continuous improvement, using the best available techniques to ensure that high operating standards are continually maintained at all our sites. In doing so, protecting the environment, and reducing CO2 emissions are top priorities. For odour abatement, we use state-of-the-art leading technology, that meets the requirements of sector guidance and best available techniques (BAT). As the primary means of odour control at all our animal rendering sites, we utilise thermal destruction of odours with thermal oxidisers for intense cooker odours and large biofilters to treat the indoor air of buildings. In this context, we are pleased to announce that we have recently installed a new gas oxidiser as well as a new multi-fuel oxidiser as part of our ongoing site improvements at our Omega Proteins Penrith facility. These new and more efficient models replace the two older thermal oxidisers which have

Leo Group participates in the Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition (Supplier LoCT), an online learning collaborative that provides guidance on measuring and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions as well as how to set science-based targets for reduction. We are delighted to announce that Leo Group has now been awarded the Supplier LoCT GHG Scope 1, 2 & 3 Footprint Badge, which represents the progress we have made in reducing our impact on climate change. This means that our company is part of a global community of brands and suppliers that are leading climate change by actively adopting industry best practices to reduce their company's impact on the climate. However, the two badges are just the beginning, as we plan to continue working towards becoming a net-zero emissions company. Watch this space