The HiProSUN process contributes to rainforest protection by enabling the substitution of soy-based proteins in animal feed with high-protein fractions derived from sunflower extraction meal. By reducing the demand for soybean cultivation, the pressure to convert additional rainforest areas into agricultural land is reduced.
HiProSUN II, as an energy carrier derived from renewable sunflower raw materials, is characterised by a significantly shorter CO₂ cycle compared to wood or wood pellets.
Trees bind atmospheric CO₂ over periods ranging from 15 to more than 60 years, whereas sunflowers complete their growth cycle within approximately three months. The CO₂ released during energy utilisation is therefore reabsorbed by subsequent sunflower crops within the following growing season.
This short carbon cycle offers potential benefits not only for the environment, but also for industry and consumers, by enabling the substitution of expensive and currently scarce wood pellets with renewable energy carriers based on sunflower biomass.