Category: Environment

  • Novel technology for chicken farms could lead to 1.7 billion more eggs

    Novel technology for chicken farms could lead to 1.7 billion more eggs

    A project using innovative, cost-effective technology to improve the health and welfare of laying hens while increasing productivity, efficiency and industry resilience has begun, thanks to grant funding from Innovate UK.

    Soaring energy, feed and labour costs have impacted egg production and farmers are facing increased demands with respect to environmental and ethical considerations, as well as facing the challenges of Avian influenza and use of breeds with varying welfare and husbandry requirements.

    This new project called Flockwise sees FAI working with The Lakes Free Range Egg Co., Newcastle University and The UK Agri-Tech Centre to benefit the industry by supporting higher animal welfare and producing nutritious, affordable and sustainable eggs. (more…)

  • AST Reygar launches Barefleet remote monitoring system

    AST Reygar launches Barefleet remote monitoring system

    Recognising the challenges faced by SOV operators, AST Reygar has introduced its BareFLEET remote monitoring system, a ground-breaking solution designed to optimise SOV performance in real-time, whilst providing invaluable long-term operational insights.

    Enhancing Efficiency and Sustainability

    SOV operations are multifaceted, requiring precise monitoring to ensure reliability, reduce costs, and minimise environmental impact. BareFLEET delivers actionable insights across key areas, including fuel consumption, emissions, vessel motion, gangway operability, and navigation activity.

    BareFLEET provides an unparalleled level of detail in monitoring SOV performance, helping operators make informed decisions that improve efficiency and sustainability, said Daniel Clark, Managing Director of AST Reygar. By delivering real-time data and long-term trend analysis, BareFLEET enables operators to optimise vessel operations, ensure technician safety, and contribute to the offshore wind industry’s green energy goals.

    Key Features of BareFLEET

    • Fuel Consumption & Emissions Tracking: BareFLEET monitors fuel usage across transit, manoeuvring, and standby operations, enabling operators to reduce consumption, emissions, and costs.
    • Vessel Motion Monitoring: By measuring heave, pitch and roll, BareFLEET ensures technician comfort and productivity during turbine transfers.
    • Gangway Operability Insights: Data on gangway operating windows supports safer and more efficient technician transfers, maximising time-on-turbine.
    • Comprehensive Navigation Analysis: Detailed monitoring of positioning and routes helps streamline operations and avoid inefficiencies.

    Integrated SOV and CTV Monitoring

    When deployed across SOVs and Crew Transfer Vessels STVs, BareFLEET offers a unified view of wind farm operations, enabling operators to improve daily planning and refine long-term strategies for fleet optimisation.

    Driving Industry Innovation

    AST Reygar’s BareFLEET system empowers operators with the tools to address the challenges of offshore wind operations. With its focus on precision, efficiency, and sustainability, BareFLEET is poised to become an essential component of the offshore wind sector’s expansion.

    For more information, or to learn how BareFLEET can enhance your operations, please contact AST Reygar today Home – Reygar Marine Performance Monitoring

  • African Development Fund releases initial support of $99 million to finance the development of rice cultivation value chains in West Africa

    African Development Fund releases initial support of $99 million to finance the development of rice cultivation value chains in West Africa

    The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund has approved initial funding of $99.16 million to develop regional rice cultivation value chains as part of the Regional West Africa Rice Development project.

    The aim of the project is to increase food security and sovereignty in West Africa by encouraging public and private investments in rice value chains to increase self-sufficiency in rice in the region by 2030.

    The funding of $99.16 million is intended for the first group of beneficiaries, which includes Gambia and Guinea-Bissau at the national level, as well as the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS and the Africa Rice Center Africa Rice at the regional level.

    It will be provided in the form of separate grants of $15.95 million, $43.88 million and $19.94 million from the African development Bank Group’s concessional loans window. A fourth grant from the Bank, of $19.39 million, will come from the transition support facility, a bank mechanism aimed at supporting the resilience of the continent’s most fragile countries.

    In total, grants from the African Development Bank Group represent 91.2 percent of the total cost of the project. The governments of Gambia and Guinea-Bissau will each contribute 5.2 percent, with the beneficiaries contributing 1.7 percent in kind. ECOWAS and Africa Rice will contribute 1.2 percent and 0.8 percent of the total project cost respectively.

    The project will help to increase production and the productivity of rice cultivation, as well as improving income generation for farmers, particularly women and young people. It will also help to increase the resilience and capacity for adaptation of rice farms and production systems in response to climate change, as well as processing, marketing and the intraregional trade in rice.

    At the national level, the project plans to develop irrigation infrastructure and to improve the sustainability of irrigation services, support the distribution of supplies and improved, climate-smart seeds, and strengthen processing units and the marketing of local rice, with a particular emphasis on skills development and access to finance for women and young people. The project also aims to strengthen agricultural cooperatives and access to mechanization, while improving farmers’ capacity for adaptation and resilience in response to climate change and extreme events.

    At the regional level, the first regional project, supported by Africa Rice, will provide regional technical support for encouraging innovation in rice cultivation value chains in the project’s intervention countries in West Africa. This includes a needs assessment for seeds and varieties in the various countries, as well as the production and distribution of improved seeds.

    The second regional project, supported by ECOWAS, will concentrate on regional policy and regulatory reforms and harmonizing these across the region. It will contribute to improving governance in the West African rice sector through the ECOWAS Rice Observatory, which will also be supported by the project.

    The project’s beneficiary countries are therefore all 15 countries in West Africa, each benefiting from the implementation of regional projects.

    In Gambia, the beneficiaries will be 20,000 rice farmers, including 6,000 women and 4,000 young people; 10,000 producers, including 3,000 women and 3,000 young people who will be supported in accessing seeds, fertilizers, plant protection products, mechanization and agricultural equipment, and 40 women who will receive support for financial inclusion.

    In Guinea-Bissau, 16,000 rice farmers, including 5,000 women and 3,000 young people will benefit, along with 50,000 producers, including 15,000 women and 15,000 young people, who will be supported in accessing seeds, fertilizers, plant protection products, mechanization and agricultural equipment.

  • Elkem reaches ‘major milestone’ in advancing the circular economy for silicones

    Elkem reaches ‘major milestone’ in advancing the circular economy for silicones

    As part of its climate strategy, Elkem is committed to cutting CO2 emissions and resource-use to reach climate-neutral production by 2050, notably by increasing recycling in its own operations and developing circular loops with customers and suppliers.

    In 2021, Elkem initiated a collaborative project dedicated to breaking down silicone waste, using eco-designed depolymerization methods.

    This project led to the implementation of innovative routes and processes for the recycling of silicones that are patented by Elkem and partners and embedded in the construction and operation of the unit at Saint-Fons. (more…)

  • Precision pollination project is a ‘step towards better food security’

    Precision pollination project is a ‘step towards better food security’

    A groundbreaking project aimed at exploring the role drone technology can play in improving yield, fruit quality and forecasting in UK strawberry production is a pivotal step towards enhancing food security.

    The project, Precision Pollination for Higher Strawberry Productivity and Quality, offers a strong consortium comprising the UK Agri-Tech Centre, Angus Soft Fruits and Polybee, with funding support from Innovate UK.

    This combines expert berry growers from the UK, agri-tech innovation and development specialists and a Singaporean partner with expertise in using innovative drone technology for pollination and crop imaging.

    Fresh Strawberries are a high value crop in the UK, worth £377m in 2022, over 30 percent of the total UK fruit value (Defra, 2023).

    Most commercial UK crops are grown under protection in structures such as polytunnels or glasshouses to provide optimal conditions for the plants to grow and fruit to develop. (more…)

  • norelem launches new series of friction joints

    norelem launches new series of friction joints

    Precision, flexibility and durability are critical in industrial sectors to optimise operations while maintaining safety and value. One component that remains constant is friction joints, which are valuable for connecting components in situations where traditional methods may not be practical.

    To address these evolving demands, global standard components manufacturer norelem, has launched a new series of friction joints (10271) designed to meet the unique requirements of various industries, providing essential benefits that cater to a wide range of customers.

    Marcus Schneck, CEO of norelem, said: “One of the key benefits of our friction joints for customers is their ability to deliver precise and adjustable resistance to motion.

    (more…)

  • The Coca-Cola system in Africa unveils water stewardship initiative

    The Coca-Cola system in Africa unveils water stewardship initiative

    The effort, called “The Coca-Cola System’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative”, was introduced in Cape Town, South Africa, in presence of executives from the Coca-Cola system in Africa and NGO partners.

    During the event, Karyn Harrington, Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at The Coca-Cola Company’s Africa Operating Unit indicated “Water is a priority for The Coca-Cola Company and its local bottling partners because it is essential to life, the communities we serve and our beverages.

    As we face increasing water insecurity worldwide, with demand outstripping supply in many regions such as Africa, Coca-Cola is taking steps to help accelerate efforts to address water stress, protect local water resources, and build community climate resilience. Our 2030 Water Security Strategy focuses on helping enhance water security where we operate, source ingredients, and touch lives.” (more…)