Colombia: Sustainability for small trapiches

DBM02011
Sustainability for small trapiches
(Colombia)

Maria A. Pérez Pérez, GMSP

Gladis Sierra Sierra, CNPML
Contents

Introduction: Context of the project

Project partners

Project objectives

Activities undertaken

Results obtained

Lessons learned

Follow-up of the project
Introduction: Context

Trapiches, Panela industry in Colombia

Production conditions (sanitary, working
conditions, common practices - > env inpact)
Project partners

Colombian and Dutch entities

Centro Nacional de Producción Más Limpia y
Tecnologías Ambientales (CNPMLTA, Col)

Empresa Comunitaria La Avención (Col)

Fundación Suramericana (Col)

TO&MMA BV (NL)

GMSP BV Sustainability Consultants (NL + Col)
Project objectives
Basically: Improving the energy efficiency of the production process and
hence obtaining surplus bagasse for the production of bagasse pellets
to replace firewood and other polluting fuels usually used. Besides,
the project aimed at improving the sanitary, environmental, working
and operational conditions (779)
Project objectives

More Accurately: Improving the energy efficiency
and working conditions at production facilities, raise
the production yield of the sugarcane juice, the
production capacity and the energy efficiency,
drying (and pelletizing -or briquetting as later
decided) of bagasse, CDM potential assessment,
trapiche sector sustainability assessment and the
definition of a replica program.
Activities undertaken

The whole project consisted of two (parallel) parts:

P1) a pilot project where technical adaptations and analyses
were be carried out and

P2) a program definition in which a follow up scheme is
presented.

P1: Between 2010 and 2012 the trapiche underwent several
infrastructure and operational modifications

P2: Between 2011 and 2012 several studies were carried out,
stakeholders and financial resources identification done, serving as
the basis for the sustainability assessment and ultimately the
replica program design
Reference Slides

Infrastructure investment

A few more pictures
Infrastructure investment
INITIAL CONDITIONS
Vista superior planta
FINAL CONDITIONS
Production area
Initial conditions
Final Conditions
Production Area
Initial conditions
final Conditions
Packaging area
final Conditions
Initial Conditions of the
Bagasse deposit
Final Conditions of the Bagasse
deposit
Final Conditions of the
bagasse storage
Initial Conditions of the
Mill
Final Condition of the Mill
Initial Conditions of the Road
Final conditions
Final conditions
Results obtained (1-3)
• Significant positive impact on production capacity and
sustainability of the operation
• Fuel (bagasse) self-sufficient
• Increased milling efficiency and higher yields of juice per unit
sugarcane processed, thus higher overall yield of panela per
unit harvested sugar cane.
• Surplus bagasse obtained can now be processed to make
briquettes that may be used to replace coal or firewood in
local (cooking) stoves and/or kilns.
Results obtained (2-3)
• Eliminate forest clearings previously needed for firewood to operate
the kiln
• Reduce consumption of fossil fuels by switching to an electrical motor
for cane milling
• Have shorter operation times (the same amount of panela is produced
in about one half of the time) by increased furnace and milling
efficiency
• Comply with INVIMA resolution 779
• Improve the working environment by removal of vapour in the
production zone and improving the trapiche’s facilities
• Reduce direct and indirect CO2 emissions.
Results obtained (3-3)
Lessons learned (1-2)

Avoid complex technical solutions

Pay attention to the command of the language to be used
for formal and informal communication

Be flexible enough in order to be capable of incorporating
required adaptations

Take into account the ‘normal’ day to day operation of the
involved production facility

Take into account the real value of biomass for farmers

In rural subsistence economies the priority of sustainability
can be relative
Lessons learned (2-2)

When applying frameworks such as NTA 8080 , take into
account the informality of rural management practices

Choosing a biomass conversion pathway or transformation
method (e.g. producing pellets or briquettes) in an early
stage, should not only be based on technical feasibility and
market opportunities, but need to be decided on taking into
account other specific local characteristics such as
education level of the workforce, adoptability of new
technology and conviction by locals of the value of the
biomass products to be produced.
Follow-up of the project

Many more trapiches in the region are willing and eager to
follow a similar path for improvement of their
organizational capacity (e.g. by associating in cooperatives),
their production practices and, most tangibly, their
production facilities

Great potential for replication of the project in Colombia

Separate “Sustainability Guide” was commissioned by AGNL

Project got technical assistance from AGNL for further
assessment of project replication

Project partners are interested in replication
End of the presentation

Questions?

Discussion