UK-based Tate & Lyle PLC said a $75 million investment into a natural gas-fired combined heat and power system is planned for its Lafayette, IN, corn wet milling facility.

The British food and beverage ingredients supplier projects that the cogeneration system, to replace a coal-fired boiler, would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% and cut water use by 5%.

The gas turbines would generate electricity and steam to power and heat the entire facility. Completion is projected for the summer of 2021, but a Tate & Lyle spokesperson told NGI, “in the uncertain current climate, it’s difficult to commit to a completion date.”

The $75 million investment is part of the company’s six-year, $150 million productivity program, which is in its third year.

Additionally, Tate & Lyle recently revealed environmental commitments to be achieved by 2030, with coal use forecast to be eliminated by 2025. A 15% decrease is forecast in water use, along with a 30% absolute reduction in scope 1 and 2 carbon dioxide emissions.

“This major investment will make our facility more efficient and directly benefit the local community through improved air quality, decreased water use, and less truck traffic,” said Lafayette’s South Plant manager Travis Montoya.

In 2017, the food and beverage company completed a similar project in Loudon, TN, with a $60 million investment.

“The $60 million investment in our Loudon facility in Tennessee to transition from coal to natural gas was completed in early 2017, and pre-dates our productivity program, which was launched by our CEO Nick Hampton in 2018,” said a spokesperson.