Mumias embraces new technology that cuts pollution by 50pc

By Francis Ontomwa

Mumias Sugar Company (MSC) has embraced a new technology that reduces pollution to 50 per cent.

The company has acquired boilers fitted with systems to collect dust and control emissions.  They will replace the ageing ones.

Director in charge of factory operations Engineer Josephat Asira said the new boilers have been adopted to reduce environment degradation and improve production.

“The new boilers are already in place, they have been equipped with an efficient system to collect dust,” stated Asira.

 “We are in the process of replacing the old boilers and we estimate that this will reduce up to 50 per cent of adverse environmental impacts.”

Already, the company has put in place environmental health management systems that focus on pest control, waste management and food safety.

The system is premised on safety, potable water management and communicable diseases control.

At the same time, Mumias signed an agreement with a Japanese company to sell its Certified Emission Reduction Credits (CERs) under the carbon credit system.

The CERs Purchase Agreement– 2019 allows Japan Carbon Finance Company Ltd to purchase CERs under the provision of Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol dubbed Clean Development Mechanism.

Power production

The protocol is designed to help developing countries achieve sustainable development through greenhouse gas-reducing projects.

The co-generation project forms part of the CER agreement.

MSC will generate electricity from the baggasse, a clean fuel made from sugar waste. Mumias estimates an annual displacement of 1,000,000 tonnnes of carbon from the environment to be factored in the formula.

Meanwhile, the company has cited cane delivery challenges for a drop in their crushing capacity from 8,500 tonnes per day to between 7,900  and 8,000 tonnes.

“We have been facing serious challenges in the delivery of raw materials to the factory,” noted Asira.

“This has lowered operations — affecting the crushing capacity but this is something  we are working on to salvage the situation.”