Fertiliser is one of the most important products in the world, essential for food production and more. However, there are several serious concerns about using it. One of the most significant is manufacturing it can produce a large amount of carbon dioxide. With more attention on things like climate change, heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and glacial melt, reducing emissions is firmly in the spotlight.

New products

It’s great news then that Yara, one of the leading crop nutrition specialists in the world, is releasing a new selection of lower carbon fertilisers (around 40% less CO2). They are celebrating opening the largest carbon capture facility in Europe at their Sluiskil plant. As a result, they will be able to reduce the carbon footprint of their operations and products.

The interesting thing here is what will happen to the carbon dioxide. The facility at Sluiskil will capture and liquefy thousands of tonnes of it rather than releasing it into the atmosphere. This will then be transported to Norway for permanent storage. Norway and the UK have operations in the North Sea to sequester carbon, storing it in old oil or gas fields or saline aquifers. It can remain safely trapped here, thousands of metres below the sea floor, unable to get through the dense, impermeable caprock.

Easy access

Yara said the UK will soon have easy access to the lower carbon fertiliser. They already supply a large volume of product to Britain from Sluiskil, so the new products will expand this offering. They will be available through existing distribution networks.

Significantly, Yara confirmed the new fertilisers will have the same chemical profile. So, there won’t be any impact on performance and yields. Plus, they are still fantastic in terms of how easy they are to spread. Ultimately, it will make the transition very easy.

The one drawback is the premium price. This will be a concern to farmers already struggling with higher costs. However, reducing the carbon footprint is worth it. Plus, Yara urges farmers to consider how they can recapture value.

Speak to us about fertiliser

JS Hubbuck Ltd has been involved in the supply of fertilisers for decades. It’s still one of the main cornerstones of our business. We’re proud to support farmers in North England, areas in Scotland, and further afield. Critically, we can work with you to plan deliveries so you can streamline your operations.

If you need help or advice about fertiliser, contact us. We provide the friendliest services, maximising value for customers.