Jan 16, 2025Potato processor to produce more sustainable fertilizer through partnership
Global potato supplier Lamb Weston Holdings has partnered with Swiss-based fertilizer company Atlas Agro to produce more sustainable fertilizers.
The partnership is expected to deliver an estimated 99% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fertilizer production, according to a news release.
Atlas Agro’s planned state-of-the-art Pacific Green Fertilizer (PGF) plant, to be built in Richland, Washington, in 2028, will supply locally produced, green fertilizers to Lamb Weston, an Idaho-headquartered frozen potato producer and processor.
Lamb Weston said the partnership will help reach its goal of net zero company-owned farm emissions by 2030.
“The future of agriculture hinges on our ability to innovate sustainably,” Steve Bannworth, Lamb Weston vice president of agriculture, said in the release. “This new program aligns with Lamb Weston’s sustainability goals of safe, wholesome food, climate resiliency, farm and community prosperity.”
Founded in 2021, Atlas Agro produces carbon-free nitrate fertilizers. Last November, the company was awarded $80 million through the UDSA’s Fertilizer Production Expansion Program to support development of the PGF facility, an at-scale, low-carbon plant powered by renewable energy.
“With this agreement, Lamb Weston is leading the way to decarbonize the food and agriculture sectors,” Atlas Agro CEO Petter Østbø said. “By leveraging our innovative green fertilizer solutions, particularly in potato farming, we are both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and setting a new standard for sustainable agricultural practices across the industry.
“Our commitment to local, fossil-free fertilizer production offers an important alternative, decreasing the reliance on imported fertilizers, supporting local job creation and creating local supply chain stability. We are proud to contribute to this transformative journey.”
