In a significant move towards sustainable agriculture, Yara Germany, the Bindewald & Gutting Milling Group, and Harry-Brot have collaborated to reduce carbon emissions in cereal farming in Germany. The partnership will leverage green fertilizers produced from Norwegian ammonia, processed using hydropower in Rostock.
Starting from the 2023/24 growing season, the Bindewald & Gutting Milling Group’s contract farmers will utilize Yara’s eco-friendly fertilizer across approximately 1,600 hectares. This green fertilizer, manufactured at Yara’s Rostock facility, is derived from green ammonia. Unlike conventional ammonia production, which relies on fossil fuels, green ammonia is produced using renewable energy sources, resulting in a fertilizer with a CO2 footprint reduced by up to 90%.
A recent IPSOS study commissioned by Yara highlighted the growing demand for sustainable food production among German consumers. 74% of respondents desired product packaging to display the CO2 footprint, and 53% were willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly food production. By adopting green fertilizers, grain CO2 footprints can be reduced by up to 30%.
Benoît Lamaison, SVP of the Continental Europe Business Unit at Yara, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Today’s agreement marks the beginning of Germany’s first project using Yara’s green fertilizer solution based on fossil-free ammonia.” Marco Fleischmann, Managing Director of Yara Germany, emphasized the partnership’s potential to revolutionize German agriculture and called on stakeholders and policymakers to support the green transformation of the sector.
The Bindewald & Gutting Milling Group, one of Germany’s premier flour producers, views this collaboration as an extension of its longstanding commitment to sustainability. Harry-Brot, a market leader in bread and bakery products, aims to incorporate sustainably-produced flour into its product range, covering the entire value chain from raw materials to retail.
Norbert Lötz, Managing Director for Production and Technology at Harry-Brot, highlighted the company’s dedication to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expressed pride in being part of this groundbreaking project.
The partners are optimistic about the collaboration’s potential to inspire other industry players to adopt similar sustainable practices.
Understanding the CO2 Footprint
The CO2 footprint measures a product’s environmental impact by calculating the total greenhouse gases emitted during production. Yara’s nitrate-based mineral fertilizers, produced in the EU and Norway, already have a significantly lower carbon footprint than non-EU fertilizers. The company’s commitment to further reducing its environmental impact is evident in its efforts to produce green fertilizers, recycle nutrients, and enhance the energy efficiency of its facilities.
Yara Announces Key Executive Appointments
Oslo, 10 August 2023: Yara International has announced fundamental changes to its executive team. Magnus Krogh Ankarstrand, previously CEO of Yara Clean Ammonia, has been appointed EVP of Corporate Development at Yara. The process to find Ankarstrand’s successor for Yara Clean Ammonia is underway. Meanwhile, Jorge Noval has been named EVP & CEO of Yara Industrial Solutions.
Svein Tore Holsether, President & CEO of Yara International, welcomed the new appointments, emphasizing the company’s clear strategic direction and the valuable experience both Ankarstrand and Noval bring to the Group Executive Board.
Image provided by Yara
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