Malt supplier Muntons is set to embark on a ground-breaking experiment that it says could slash the carbon footprint of a range of popular food and beverage products, including beer, bread and biscuits.
In a bid to produce the world’s lowest carbon malt, the UK-based company has begun a long-term trial in partnership with farmers to grow malting barley using methods that will dramatically reduce reliance on carbon-intensive man-made chemical fertilisers.
Malting barley growers taking part in the trial will use ‘green compost’ made up of carefully sourced, food-safe recycled green materials, such as grass cuttings and hedge trimmings. Where possible, they will apply this natural fertilizer to the land in place of synthetic fertilisers, helping to cut the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing these.
It is anticipated that after the trial has been running for three years, the farmers will have been able to eliminate altogether the use of any man-made potassium and phosphate-based fertilisers.
In addition, Muntons has liaised with a leading fertiliser manufacturer to identify and source a man-made nitrogen fertiliser with a dramatically reduced carbon footprint. This means that where synthetic nitrogen fertiliser is required in the trial, it will have been produced as sustainably as possible – another important step towards cutting the overall carbon footprint of the malt produced by Muntons.
Muntons’ low carbon malt trial, which is taking place on farms near the company’s factory in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, will enable experts to see for the first time how farmers can use less carbon-intensive fertiliser regimes without any detrimental impact on malting barley yields.
The malting barley grown will be processed into malt for one of the UK’s leading brewers – paving the way for what could be the country’s most environmentally-friendly beer. But it will also be suitable for use in other products that commonly contain malt and malt extracts, including bread, biscuits, confectionery and beverages.
“It’s early days, and this is a long term trial that will last several years, but we’re confident we’re at the beginning of something truly trailblazing,” says Dr Nigel Davies, Muntons’ manufacturing and technical director (pictured). “A lot of people have been talking about being green, but our commitment to making low carbon malt a reality shows how we consider carbon footprinting a key business focus.”