OCI Global has delivered the first UK shipment of its low-carbon fertiliser to Simpsons Malt Limited as part of an exciting new project to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of malting barley and distilling wheat.
The shipment of the company’s NUTRAMON Low Carbon fertiliser – a low-carbon nitrogen granular product – was delivered to the Port of Berwick in Northumberland on March 14.
OCI Global’s VP Commercial Nitrogen, Aviv Bar Tal, says the partnership will involve NUTRAMON Low Carbon being applied on malting barley and distilling wheat at Simpsons Malt’s farm in Northumberland and on other trial sites this year with a focus on decarbonising the supply chain. Ultimately lowering the carbon footprint of Scotch Whisky.
Scotch whisky carbon footprint
“We know that we need to address the greenhouse gas emissions of fertilisers because, to feed our growing population, continuing to use fertilisers is non-negotiable,” adds Mr Bar Tal.
“That’s why, through projects like this one, we aim to create partnerships with companies in the food and drink supply chain to deliver affordable, but also sustainable, products for the long-term.”
Explaining how NUTRAMON Low Carbon has been produced, Mr Bar Tal says the fertiliser has a low-carbon status because it has been made using biomethane feedstock, rather than a natural gas. This reduces its carbon footprint by 50%, when compared to a conventionally produced nitrogen fertiliser.
NUTRAMON Low Carbon is also ISCC PLUS certified, a recognised independent certification standard for bio, bio-circular and renewable feedstocks across the world.
Simpsons Malt Limited fertiliser director, David Barrett, says NUTRAMON Low Carbon will be sold commercially to growers by the company’s agricultural merchanting division, McCreath Simpson & Prentice, from autumn 2023 following the initial trials this season.
Malting and distilling customers
The aim is for the low-carbon fertiliser to be applied to malting barley and distilling wheat, which is destined for Simpsons Malt’s brewing and distilling customers.
Mr Barrett adds: “As a Certified B Corporation and in our unique industry position as both a malting and merchanting business, we are mindful of the impact our operations have on the environment and acknowledge that fertiliser application is a significant percentage of the malt supply chain’s overall carbon footprint.
“As a result, we endeavor to ensure the fertilisers we purchase are sustainably produced and so we’re delighted to be partnering with OCI Global on the supply of low-carbon NUTRAMON.”
