2023-10-02 00:05:26
Climate Libé Tour Dunkirk: lighting
Founded almost two hundred years ago, the Daudruy family company launched into the refining of fatty substances when the trade linked to fishing declined. Since 2006, it has specialized in the production of biofuels. Energy, transport, sustainable renovation, revegetation… In 2023, Libé is exploring the theme of ecological transition during a series of unique meetings. Objective: to demonstrate the issues and find solutions as close as possible to the territories. Fourth stage in Dunkirk, October 13, 14 and 15.
The Daudruy company, born in 1829, began in cod fishing. It was then a large family of shipowners from Dunkirk who, before setting off on a campaign in distant seas, threw a wild party. It was a time when sailors left their towns for months to reach the rich waters of Newfoundland. But time has passed. Sailing schooners gave way to steam and then motor ships… When fishing declined, the company found itself out of business. The family then turned to recycling cod livers. After fish oil and animal fat, it was the turn of vegetable oil.
“A clear oil, without impurities”
Today, with 342 “product references” and “one hundred years of experience in fatty substances”, 150,000 tonnes of oil are produced each year on the industrial sites of Petite-Synthe or Dunkirk. Rapeseed oil comes from France, coconut oil from Polynesia, fish oils from Morocco. The company is present in several areas: soap making, lubricants, food consumption, livestock and pet food.
“We are starting to work a little on cosmetics,” explains Ameline Daudruy (ninth generation!), project and communications manager. The basis of our business is to refine oil that we buy raw. It is then filtered, heated and placed in a vacuum. Steam injection concludes the process to remove the last residues.” For a food industry, untreated raw oil is of no use. “Refining aims to obtain a clear oil, of beautiful color, without impurities. And which can last over time.
“A circular economy cycle”
In 2006, the company turned to green energies and specialized in biofuels with the creation of Nord-Ester, a subsidiary producing biodiesel (which emits fewer particles and less CO2). “Bio diesel is made from used oils,” explains Ameline Daudruy. We recycle. With this same perspective, we have a methanization unit, Nord-Metha, which has developed a process using waste from the site.” Placed in a “digester”, they are subjected to fermentation which creates gas. Purified, it becomes biomethane.
“It’s a circular economy cycle. We refine oils which are intended to be used in food; once used, they are recovered to transform them into biodiesel. And the waste generated from our production sites is itself reprocessed.”
As for transport, a weak point for many companies with their fleet of trucks, the company has remembered its maritime origins and tries, as soon as possible, to use barges for smooth navigation on the nearby canal.
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