Perdue AgriBusiness, a subsidiary of Perdue Farms, has signed an innovative carbon dioxide removal (CDR) agreement with enhanced rock weathering (ERW) company Eion.
Under the agreement, Perdue AgriBusiness will incorporate olivine-based ERW on agricultural land across the Mid-Atlantic, manned by its network of grain farmers.
This novel carbon insetting collaboration marks the first time in which a company will incorporate enhanced rock weathering for carbon removal purposes within its own supply chain.
In the bigger picture, it also signals a diversification in the voluntary carbon market, where companies choose to use insetting supply chain CDR approaches instead of resorting to offtakes, where the carbon is tackled outside the company’s operations.
Judged from that perspective, the United States, home to approximately 800 million acres of farmland, is stated to have the potential to catalyze annual gigaton ERW CDR levels through agricultural insetting projects.
On its end, Perdue AgriBusiness settled on ERW as a carbon removal method due to its regenerative environmental effect that also improves the soil quality.
Centered around the production of quality agricultural products, Perdue has over a century-long market presence. In 2021 the company introduced the Perdue Sustainability Program, aiming to deliver responsibly grown products while improving soil health, conserving water, and fortifying resilient farming in the Chesapeake Bay region.
The ERW collaboration with Eion falls in line with these sustainability goals, and it is expected to result in the removal of 3,500 tons of carbon dioxide.
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Commenting on this deal, Perry Aulie, president at Perdue AgriBusiness, explained that the company is always on the lookout for innovative, science-backed solutions that support its farmers and reduce its environmental impact.
“Partnering with Eion allows us to integrate carbon removal directly into our supply chain—enhancing soil health, supporting our growers, and advancing our commitment to a more sustainable future.”
Eion CEO Anastasia Pavlovic stated, “We’re excited to work with Perdue AgriBusiness to further our shared goals: advancing sustainable agriculture, providing tangible benefits to farmers, and making a meaningful dent in our climate debt.”
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