SMITHFIELD, Va. – As part of its “manure-to-energy” project, Smithfield Foods Inc. announced on Aug. 5 that it connected a low-pressure natural gas transmission line from a company hog farm to the Milan, Missouri, natural gas pipeline.

Smithfield said that the renewable natural gas produced at the hog farm goes directly into the city’s natural gas distribution system prior to delivery.

“We are proud that Smithfield calls Milan home and grateful for the company’s positive impact on our community, providing residents with more than 1,100 jobs,” said Mayor Andy Herington of the city of Milan. “Smithfield’s leadership in producing renewable energy in innovative ways further strengthens our community and provides us with more flexibility to meet the energy needs of our residents and businesses.”

Last April, Smithfield partnered with Monarch Bioenergy for similar projects across Missouri. When the joint venture is complete, Smithfield said it expects to produce 1.3 million dekatherms of RNG annually, which is the equivalent to eliminating 130,000 gasoline vehicles.

Monarch Bioenergy is also part of Smithfield Renewables, Smithfield’s platform dedicated to renewable energy efforts. The company said this was part of its goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 25 percent by 2025 throughout its supply chain.

“As we work to expand our ‘manure-to-energy’ projects nationwide, it is inspiring to witness the fruition of our renewable energy efforts in Missouri,” said Kraig Westerbeek, senior director of Smithfield Renewables and Hog Production Environmental Affairs. “We are proud that these efforts allow the locations we call home to contribute to a sustainable energy future while curbing our carbon footprint.”

Over the next 10 years, Smithfield said it plans to implement “manure-to-energy” projects in 90 percent of its hog finishing spaces in North Carolina, Utah and Virginia and nearly all of its hog finishing spaces in Missouri.