PepsiCo and Fertiberia have joined forces to launch a pilot program aimed at reducing emissions in potato cultivation. The program utilizes Fertiberia's Impact Zero fertilizers, which are produced using green hydrogen instead of natural gas, combined with precision agriculture techniques.

The use of sustainable fertilizers enables a reduction in emissions in potato cultivation of approximately 15%. Green ammonia, produced by replacing hydrogen from natural gas with green hydrogen, is used in the production process. This allows for the creation of plant nutrition solutions with a low carbon footprint. Fertiberia produces green ammonia at its Puertollano (Ciudad Real) production center, one of the first and largest green hydrogen plants for industrial use in Europe.

The initial plantings with green fertilizers have taken place in Álava, La Rioja, and Burgos, in collaboration with Garlan, PepsiCo's long-standing potato supplier. Garlan, assigned by both companies to carry out the program, serves as a reference cooperative. Precision agriculture techniques are employed to ensure optimal application of the fertilizer, leveraging detailed information on the crops' condition. The program will initially cover a cultivated area of 400 hectares, with a goal of expanding to 1,500 hectares by 2025.

Ángel Alonso, Director of PepsiCo's agricultural department for southwestern Europe, expresses pride in the green fertilizer pilot program and its potential to reduce emissions associated with fertilizers, which contribute significantly to total emissions. The initiative complements PepsiCo's ongoing efforts to regenerate land and enhance fertility through regenerative agriculture practices.

Alfredo Segura, Commercial Director of Fertiberia, highlights the groundbreaking nature of Fertiberia's Impact Zero initiative, which utilizes renewables for the production of plant nutrition solutions and incorporates innovation in biotechnology. He believes that this approach will achieve the decarbonization of the primary sector in the EU, and the collaboration with PepsiCo underscores the potential of green hydrogen in achieving fully sustainable agriculture, positioning Fertiberia as a facilitator for the viable development of this new energy vector in Spain.

PepsiCo in Spain is committed to expanding the use of regenerative agriculture practices to cover 77,000 hectares by 2030. The company is already working on specific projects to train farmers in these practices. Additionally, PepsiCo has set a target to reach net-zero emissions by 2040, and the collaboration with Fertiberia aligns with its sustainability-focused strategy, known as PepsiCo Positive, which aims to drive positive impacts on the planet, people, and communities where it operates.