Grenelle Environment Round Table

Sofiprotéol, along with the oilseed and protein crop industry, is doing its part to support the commitments made following the Grenelle Environment Round Table.   

Goals set at the Grenelle Environment Round Table

Three ways to encourage sustainable agriculture were identified :

• develop an environmental certification system for farms (with 50% of farms certified by 2012),
• reduce the use of phytosanitary products and biocides by offering alternative solutions,
• reduce the dependence of livestock farmers on imported raw materials by reviving protein crops.

The Grenelle laws also favor renewable energy and renewable chemistry by :

• confirming biofuels’s place among other types of renewable energy,
• prioritizing research on 2^nd and 3^rd generation biofuels,
• planning additional research efforts in the field of chemical substance substitutes. The Union of Chemical Industries has committed to use 15% renewable raw materials by 2017 (compared to 7% in 2007).

The industry’s commitments

• Reduce France’s dependence on vegetable proteins. European livestock farms depend primarily on imports from North America. For the past 30 years, the industry has been working to develop protein-rich crops in Europe in order to reduce this dependence.

• Develop renewable chemistry for oils (oleochemistry). Sofiprotéol plays an important role in France’s research efforts to develop new plant-based products for all chemistry markets, including lubricants, cosmetics, detergents, paints, and inks.

• Produce a biodiesel that is environmentally friendly. Sofiprotéol has launched a program to produce 2^nd generation biodiesel that meets CO₂ emission reduction objectives. This project was submitted to a special assistance fund established by the Grenelle Environment Round Table.

• Improve the energy performance of farms. Sofiprotéol, along with the entire industry, is supporting implementation of the National Plan for the Energy Performance of Farms, established by the French Ministry of Agriculture. The goal is to improve the energy performance of the industry’s activities.