Nestlé UK and Ireland, Cargill and Ccm Technologies have announced a collaboration that will see them testing the viability of a new kind of low-carbon fertilizer made using cocoa shells. The two-year trial will see up to 7,000-tonnes of the fertilizer created and supplied to farmers within the Nestlé UK's wheat supply chain, which equates to roughly 15% of its total fertilizer use related to wheat. The cocoa shells used in the fertilizer are supplied by Cargill, which have been processed and turned into pellets by CCm Technologies.
Regeneration Lead at Nestlé UK and Ireland Matt Ryan spoke on the low-carbon fertilizer initiative saying, "Farmers often find themselves to be among the first groups to be exposed to global issues, and these risks are then borne by the food system we all depend upon. We have to find ways to build more resilience into the system and optimising our use of natural resources is a critical part of this."
Cocoa Shell Low-Carbon Fertilizers
This Initiative is Testing the Viability of a New Fertilizer
Trend Themes
1. Low-carbon Fertilizers - Testing the viability of low-carbon fertilizers made from cocoa shells presents an opportunity for sustainable agriculture.
2. Wheat Supply Chain - Supplying low-carbon cocoa shell fertilizers to wheat farmers within Nestlé UK's supply chain can enhance the sustainability of the entire wheat production process.
3. Optimizing Resource Use - Optimizing the use of natural resources in agricultural practices through innovative fertilizers like cocoa shell-based ones can contribute to building a more resilient food system.
Industry Implications
1. Food & Beverage - The food and beverage industry can explore the use of low-carbon fertilizers made from alternative sources like cocoa shells to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
2. Agriculture - The agriculture industry stands to benefit from the adoption of innovative fertilizers such as those made from cocoa shells, which can improve resource optimization and reduce environmental impact.
3. Sustainability - In the pursuit of sustainability, industries across sectors can look into leveraging low-carbon fertilizers derived from unconventional sources like cocoa shells to reduce carbon footprint and promote greener practices.