First UK shipment of low-carbon nitrogen fertiliser

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, said 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.

“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 per cent 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.

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.