Already 3,000 tonnes of chips produced using green hydrogen in Spain

PepsiCo and Fertiberia collaboration targets sustainable production

The collaboration established by PepsiCo and Fertiberia is a partnership between two major companies. PepsiCo is the owner of world-famous brands: Pepsi, Lay’s, Cheetos and Doritos, among others. Fertiberia, on the other hand, is a Spanish fertiliser manufacturer. The collaboration between the two companies focuses on growing potatoes for the production of crisps using fertilisers created through green hydrogen processes. In this way, chip production eliminates the use of natural gas from the process, replacing it with renewable energy sources. The result is a minimised carbon footprint. The companies’ collaboration to produce sustainably demonstrates the serious attitude of both companies towards such an important aspect as the decarbonisation of agriculture and their commitment to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and zero CO2 emissions by 2040.

Results of the first phase of the Impact Zero programme

The Impact Zero programme was launched last year. The modern fertilisers and technologies incorporated into the potato crop have resulted not only in a reduction in CO2 emissions, but also in greater fertiliser efficiency and productivity, resulting in better plant nutrition and improved yields. The first phase of the programme yielded a total of 9,000 tonnes of high-quality potatoes, which were grown on around 200 hectares of fields in three areas of Spain: Álava, La Rioja and Burgos. Thanks to the use of sustainable fertilisers, CO2 emissions during cultivation were reduced by 85,000 kg CO2-equivalent, representing a 15% decrease in the carbon footprint to date. The potatoes harvested from the crop at PepsiCo’s Burgos plant have already produced 3,000 tonnes of Lay’s and Ruffles crisps for the Spanish market.