GrowHow UK unveils Blueprint for Carbon Reduction

GrowHow UK, the only British manufacturer of ammonium nitrate fertiliser is set to play its part in helping the UK government meet ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enabling Britains farmers rise to the challenge of sustainable intensification.

The launch of the Blueprint for Carbon Reduction results from a four year investment programme totalling some 100million into the companys two production facilities at Ince in Cheshire and Billingham on Teesside. The majority of the investment has been in emission reduction.

The result is that the carbon footprint of the fertilisers we now produce is amongst the lowest in Europe, said GrowHow UKs Commercial Director Mike Buchan.

The investment, made well ahead of any legal obligation, will lead to GrowHows emissions being reduced by 1 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent each year. This is around 10% of the whole UK target which the government aims to achieve by 2013.

In addition, by being manufactured in the UK, the energy consumed in delivery is minimised contributing further to carbon reduction.

For Britains farmers, it means we can offer truly lower carbon fertiliser products. That will become increasingly important to customers and consumers further up the foodchain as processors and retailers look to play their part in meeting the challenge of climate change, said Mr Buchan.

However, GrowHows Blueprint stretches beyond the manufacturing plant. Supply of the new lower carbon fertiliser is complemented by GrowHows research and advisory services which ensure that farmers apply the level of nutrition required for crops and grassland and no more.

Every year we invest in research to push back the boundaries of knowledge on optimal fertiliser use. That knowledge is conveyed to farms through FACTS Qualified Advisers, supported by our analytical services such as N-Min and N-Calc, to optimise rates and timing, said Mr Buchan.

Efficient fertiliser use is not only good news for the environment, it is also the route to improving farm profitability.

It is now up to farmers to play their part. By opting for low carbon fertilisers they can be part of the solution helping to meet the challenge of producing more, while impacting less. On the other hand, buying products from beyond the EU boundaries may well merely export the challenge of emissions.

About GrowHow UK Limited

GrowHow UK Limited is the UKs leading manufacturer of ammonium nitrate and compound fertilisers.