Divert Inc. and Blue Diamond Growers, a farmer-owned cooperative and the world's leading almond company, announced a partnership to transform almond processing byproducts into renewable energy.
Divert's advanced technologies and sustainable infrastructure will enable Blue Diamond Growers to turn low-value almond byproducts into renewable energy, while also assisting California in reaching its 2045 net-zero carbon pollution goals.
For decades, Blue Diamond and the almond industry have innovated ways to use all parts of the almond, leading to creations like almond flour, almond oil and almond protein powder. Divert's and Blue Diamond's partnership allows for this innovation to continue using almond processing byproducts.
The material will be converted at Divert's Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility in Turlock, California, into two beneficial byproducts: renewable energy to supply local homes and businesses, as well as soil amendment that allows for the nutrients to return to farmland thereby supporting further food growth.
In April 2023, Divert broke ground on its state-of-the-art facility in Turlock, the heart of agricultural production in the U.S. Once fully operational this year, the facility will be able to process 100,000 tons of wasted food each year from food manufacturers and other companies, and produce enough renewable energy to supply roughly 3,000 homes each year.
The facility will also help California food manufacturers and retailers comply with organic waste requirements in accordance with the state's Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) regarding organic waste reduction. This legislation requires large food waste generators to divert food waste from landfills through waste prevention or donation, and encourages the use of anaerobic digestion to create renewable energy.
