Primient: Advancing Climate-Smart Farming in Supply Chains
The World Economic Forum highlights that opting for plant-based diets can avert the extinction of numerous wildlife species.
The escalating demand for affordable food compels farmers to resort to resource-intensive farming methods, risking overuse of energy, land and water resources.
Primient emerges as an innovative player in the food and industrial ingredients sector, focusing on renewable plant-based sources.
The company thrives on four crucial areas: optimising safety standards, achieving excellence, fostering integrity and promoting growth.
Established in 1906 by A.E. Staley, Primient continues to champion plant-based solutions using cutting-edge science and technology.
Laura Kowalski, Head of Global Sustainability and Marketing at Primient, says: “This year, we focused on ensuring our programs are making an impact and decreasing risk within our value chain.
“I am proud of the difference we’re making and believe we will continue to demonstrate meaningful change for years to come.
“Despite a dynamic global environment, Primient’s growth strategy remains rooted in sustainability.
“We are honoured and prepared to continue helping our customers meet their sustainability ambitions and drive shared value for years to come.”
Primient's sustainability initiatives
Primient reports a remarkable 30% decrease in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2019, aiming to meet a science-based target of 1.5°C by 2030.
Since 2018, the company has collaborated with Truterra, focusing on gaining insights and facilitating regenerative practice enhancements through education and outreach across its operations.
In its commitment to sustainable agriculture, Primient implements an intervention program to incentivise farmers for adopting no-till methods and planting cover crops.
As a result, the company projects a reduction and removal of 8,600 tonnes of carbon in 2024.
During the same year, Primient plans to finance 20,000 acres of regenerative farming initiatives within its corn supply area, contributing valuable water quality and carbon data metrics.
Jim Stutelberg, CEO, Primient, says: “Our sustainability record is industry-leading. We feel confident that our focus areas are the right ones to help drive excellence within our plants and in our supply chain.
"We are making progress toward our science-based targets and continuing to invest in our agricultural footprint.
“Many of our customers have bold sustainability ambitions and we are well positioned to help them achieve their goals.”
Primient emphasises employee engagement through various employee resource groups (ERGs), emphasising inclusion and support for diverse employee communities, such as neurodivergent individuals, black employees and LGBTQIA+ community members, among others.
Following a comprehensive review of 2024, Primient identified improvements in inclusivity, including creating private areas for breastfeeding, installing automatic doors and constructing ADA-compliant facilities.
Advancing sustainable supply chain goals
Primient aims for zero deforestation in its supply chain by 2050. The company's strategic partnership with Sustainea Bioglycols focuses on using corn syrup feedstock for bio-based monoethylene glycol (bio-MEG) production.
This bio-MEG serves as a plant-based alternative to petroleum-derived chemicals, commonly used in products like beverage bottles and food containers, offering a reduced carbon footprint.
Optimising supply chain efficiency, both companies operate adjacent to each other, eliminating truck transport.
Primient’s use of natural gas-powered combined heat and power units exemplifies the technological advancements making their corn wet mills more efficient.
Gustavo Sergi, CEO at Sustainea Bioglycols, concludes: “With sustainability at the core of our go-to-market strategy, we feel confident that Primient is the right partner to provide a low-carbon dextrose for our bio-MEG manufacturing process.
“Primient has proven to be collaborative, reliable and data-driven, all assets that will position Sustainea to make an impact in the market both locally and globally.”