OCI Global delivers first UK shipment of low-carbon nitrogen fertiliser to Simpsons Malt Limited

The first UK shipment of a low-carbon fertiliser has been delivered to Simpsons Malt as part of a new project which aims to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of malting barley and distilling wheat.

The delivery of OCI Global's Nutramon Low Carbon fertiliser – a granular product – was delivered to the Port of Berwick, in Northumberland, in mid-March and a partnership deal will involve it being applied on malting barley and distilling wheat on Simpsons Malt’s farm in Northumberland and on other trial sites this year. The focus is on decarbonising the supply chain and lowering the carbon footprint of Scotch whisky.

“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,” said OCI Global's Aviv 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 the product had been produced, Mr Bar Tal said the fertiliser carried a low-carbon status because it had been made using biomethane feedstock, rather than natural gas. This reduced its carbon footprint by 50%, compared to a conventionally produced nitrogen fertiliser and it is ISCC PLUS certified, a recognised independent certification standard.

Simpsons Malt;s fertiliser director, David Barrett, said the low carbon product would also be sold commercially to growers by the company’s agricultural merchanting division, McCreath Simpson and Prentice, from autumn, 2023, following initial trials this season.

The aim is for the low-carbon fertiliser to be applied to malting barley and distilling wheat, destined for Simpsons Malt’s brewing and distilling customers.