RCMA Group invests in sustainable rapeseed processing facility
The RCMA Group has announced it is constructing a new rapeseed processing plant near Stratford upon Avon, UK. The company will be investing £25 million in the project, creating in excess of 30 local jobs.
The new facility will be operational in the autumn of 2017 to process an annual seed crush of 100,000 tonnes, producing 40,000 tonnes of refined edible rapeseed oil and 60,000 tonnes of high quality rape cake for the animal feed sector.
The business will process 100% UK grown seed to meet growing demand from UK buyers for a fully traceable supply chain. Rapeseed oil consumption continues to grow, fuelled by health conscious consumers.
RCMA Group’s chairman, Doug King, comments, “This is a milestone in UK oilseed processing. Not only are we adding the first brand-new large-scale rapeseed processing facility in the UK since the 1980s; we have commissioned a highly sustainable approach to processing, reflecting our commitment to a more environmentally-friendly industry.”
The design incorporates a biomass fuelled combined heat and power (CHP) plant enabling RCMA Stratford to be one of the most energy and carbon efficient producers in the UK.
RCMA Group CEO, Chris Pardey, has assembled a team to support the new enterprise including commercial, technical and quality assurance experts.
“This is a fantastic team for the RCMA Group,” says Pardey, “It brings a huge amount of global experience to the Stratford project, coupled with really strong local market and product knowledge which will deliver exceptional value to our customers.”
The company is also working in close partnership with farmers’ co-operative, Camgrain, the grain store operator, to build mutually beneficial relationships with UK seed growers.
