A business that operates a factory in Penrith has been shortlisted for a business award for sustainability.
Leo Group, which operates the Omega Proteins factory in Penrith, is a finalist in this year’s Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards as it is headquartered in Halifax.
Leo Group is one of the UK’s biggest animal by-product and renewable energy specialists, working in the country’s food and agricultural industries.
Its factories collect and process animal carcasses and make a variety of products, like plane fuel, pet food, aqua feed, cosmetics, and renewable fuel.
The family-run business employs over 800 people across its sites in the UK, Ireland, Europe, and South Africa.
Its Penrith factory has been criticised by residents for being responsible for the so-called ‘Penrith Pong’, a foul odour said to permeate the town on occasion, affecting the public’s comfort.
Penrith Town Council member Jeff Thomson, who leads the campaign Fresh Air for Penrith launched in direct opposition to the factory, was elected on the very ticket that proposes the factory is not environmentally friendly and bad for the town although this is heavily refuted by the factory.
A Leo Group spokesperson said that every year, it collects and processes over 1.25million tonnes of waste material, from which they produce 130,000 tonnes of ‘protein meal’ and 70million litres of purified fats yearly.
They added that the company is ‘at the heart of’ renewable energy and waste management, with several investments in solar, wind, and biomass, along with interest in refuse-derived fuel for power generation.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at Headingley Stadium in Leeds on November 22, 2023.
Danny Sawrij, CEO and owner of Leo Group, said: "It is a great honour for Leo Group to be shortlisted for this prestigious award and a fantastic recognition of our continued commitment and hard work in introducing sustainable technologies across all our facilities over the last decade. “
Yorkshire Post’s head of business and features, Chris Burn, said: “A huge amount of work went into picking out the best entries from a very crowded field which was a testament to the strength of the region’s business community.
"Just being shortlisted for an award is a real achievement so congratulations to all of those who are finalists.”
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