Determination of carbon footprint in the processing of frozen vegetables using an online energy measurement system

The aim of the research was to determine the carbon footprint of frozen vegetable production based on the developed and implemented measurement system of technological lines in an industrial plant. The system allowed measuring and recording the consumption of electricity and other energy media, production registration and reporting. A methodology for determining the carbon footprint of vegetable production was proposed based on the analysis of the plant production technology. The CF analysis scope included transport of vegetable from grower to plant, technological production process, internal transport and frozen storage. The lowest carbon footprint was obtained for the production of frozen peas and the highest for frozen cauliflower stalks. Cooling processes are the main component of CO2-eq emissions in frozen vegetable production and constitute on average approx. 90% of emissions depending on the type of vegetable. Modification of the technological process should be aimed at reducing energy consumption through, inter alia, the use of modern automated refrigeration systems.