Our Focus on Environmental Responsibility

Getting Greener in Escalon
The Heinz factory that processes fresh-packed, ripe red tomatoes has gotten greener. In Escalon, California, Heinz has reduced the environmental impact of the facility and lowered its natural gas consumption in the process.

The improvements focused on reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides to meet the new regulations in the San Joaquin Valley.

Faced with that challenge, the Escalon team came up with an innovative and cost-effective solution. First, two idle boilers were transferred from the Heinz facility in Stockton, to replace two aging boilers in Escalon, while keeping two other active boilers in Escalon intact. Heinz then retrofitted four boilers at Escalon with selective catalytic reduction technology that treats boiler exhaust gas with ammonia to convert nitrogen oxide into nitrogen and water vapor.

The two-step combination was a success. Escalon sharply reduced nitrogen oxide emissions to levels that average well below the tough new emissions limits of 9 parts per million, and it also lowered carbon monoxide emissions by 2.5 tons a year. Plus, there was an added environmental benefit: Escalon reduced its natural gas consumption by 7,000 MMBTU’s, reflecting the success of the boiler replacements and efficiency upgrades.

The Escalon factory processes fresh-packed tomatoes that Heinz markets under the brands: 6 in 1, Allegro, Bella Rosa, Bell'Orto, Bonta, Christina's, Christoforo, El Verano Sabrosos, Heinz, and Mama Linda.

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