The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BASEL (SWITZERLAND), FEB 8, 2024
Syngenta Group, a global leader in agriculture technology, on Thursday announced today that its manufacturing facility in St Gabriel, Louisiana, USA, has been honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its commitment to green power usage. Syngenta is the sole representative from the agricultural sector listed in the EPA’s National Top 100 List of top users of green power, as part of the Green Power Partnership.
This recognition underscores Syngenta’s ongoing efforts to decarbonize its global operations. Dr. Tom Gray, Head of Active Ingredient Strategy and Operations at Syngenta Group, expressed pride in the company’s achievement, stating, “We are honored to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for our leadership in the green power market. Our global strategy for sourcing renewable electricity is a cornerstone of our commitment to decarbonization and improving energy efficiency across our operations.”
The St. Gabriel production site, designated as one of Syngenta’s global manufacturing centers of excellence, is known for its ability to handle complex processes while maintaining the highest production and quality standards. Annually, the site consumes over 150 million kWh of energy, equivalent to the annual electricity use of 14,000 homes in the United States. Through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates, the facility sources 100 percent of its electrical energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar, fully offsetting its consumption from fossil fuel-based sources.
James Critchfield, Program Manager of EPA’s Green Power Partnership, commended Syngenta and other organizations listed in the Top Partner Rankings for their commitment to expanding the use of green power and protecting the environment. He emphasized that good business practices can indeed benefit the environment.
Beyond the St. Gabriel facility, Syngenta has made significant investments in decarbonization efforts at its other production sites globally, aligning with its commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 2030. Notably, the Monthey production site in Switzerland utilizes hydropower for a substantial portion of its electricity needs and has been recognized with the “Go Carbon Free” label by the Carbon Free Valais Foundation for its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
In Brazil, Syngenta’s R&D and manufacturing sites for crop protection and seeds businesses also source 100 percent of their electricity needs from renewable sources, alongside initiatives to reduce water consumption and waste generation.
Syngenta’s Kunshan manufacturing site in China achieved carbon neutrality, recognized by the Beijing Green Exchange, by fully offsetting its carbon emissions through operational improvements and energy-efficient equipment upgrades.
Gray reiterated Syngenta’s commitment to long-term emission reduction efforts, emphasizing the company’s focus on sustainability across its operations and value chain. As part of this commitment, Syngenta has established an internal function dedicated to Sustainable Operations to drive initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and promoting sustainability in agriculture.
Syngenta’s continued dedication to decarbonization and sustainability reflects its broader commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation in the agriculture sector.
