A blog from Andy Blair, Field Technical Manager at Branston Ltd.

Branston Ltd is a large potato packer and processor with its headquarters just to the South of Lincoln which supplies 350,000 tonnes of potatoes per year to the UK market.  The business also has operations in Somerset, which is a centre of excellence for New and Salad potatoes, and Perth in the middle of Scotland’s best potato-producing area.

It has been focusing on sustainability for a long time, including investing in new processing capacity to ensure 100% crop utilisation, as well as developing new agritech solutions alongside long-term research partner B-hive Innovations Ltd, who specialise in AgTech innovation to support the agricultural industry

The business aims for zero waste with 100% of the harvested crop used to create a portfolio of products including packed potatoes direct to supermarkets, processed potato products, processing to extract plant protein from lower grade potatoes, with any remaining crop being used in an on site AD plant to generate energy.

With its supply chain partners Branston has set ambitious science-based targets to reduce scope one and two emissions by 90% by 2035, with targets for total scope three emissions to fall by 54.6% by 2033 with farming achieving a reduction of 39.4% by 2033.

In common with most other food chain businesses, the majority of total emissions associated with Branston’s product are scope three, which accounts for 87% of total emissions.  It is therefore essential for Branston to work with its supply chain partners to deliver the carbon emission reductions planned, including for example with farmers on the use of agritech to reduce farm-based emissions, or packaging suppliers to decarbonise packaging supply.

For scope one and two emissions the main pressure points are all connected to energy use and the business has therefore embarked on a series of projects to reduce and decarbonise the energy used for processing, cold storage and critically for logistics.  The business has already invested in AD and solar power, and is planning to expand these sources of energy.

However, the single largest share of scope one and two emissions is connected to the diesel used to transport potatoes to Branston for processing, and from Branston to their final market.  This transport uses both an inhouse fleet as well as third party hauliers.  Longer term the business is planning to move away from diesel and has been looking at HVO and is currently evaluating a Volvo e-truck.  Other options include the potential to use green hydrogen, however a full move to either other fuels or electric is still several years away.

In the meantime, work has shown that important savings can be made before switching fuels, and to date these have reduced transport emissions by over 20%, by embracing driver training, modifying existing vehicles and investing in new tractor units which are more efficient.  During 2024, the business plans to purchase more new tractor units, deliver more driver training and complete the Volvo e-truck evaluation.

In the wider business, 2024 will also see the business investing in renewable heating solutions, smarter measurement of electricity use and changing additional cooling units over to new, more environmentally friendly refrigerants.

On scope three, which remains the most challenging area to address, the business is working with partners on a series of projects to deliver improvements on farm through reduced cultivations, the adoption of low Nitrogen potato varieties and the use of low carbon fertilisers.  It is also working on packaging innovation including increased use of recycled materials.  Further innovation work in 2024 will include looking at soil function and the role of mycorrhizae, R-leaf® technology and Phos cycle who recycle the contents of old fire extinguishers to create sustainable phosphate fertilisers.

The long term achievement of net zero potato production will require multiple changes at every stage of the potato supply chain. Branston is committed to the journey and believe that every business has to see the delivery of net zero as a multi-year challenge in which working with partners across your supply chain, and investing in innovation and new technology, both have vital roles to play.