Maltsters and growers forge green partnerships

The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain (MAGB) explains how it is helping to foster a sustainable future for malting barley production.

The malting industry wants to reduce its environmental impact and maintain high-quality production standards.

Malting – the process of converting barley into malt for brewing and distilling – involves several stages.

The process, which uses large amounts of water and energy, has already been optimised as much as possible. The production of the raw material – malting barley – is now in the spotlight.

The MAGB Environmental Strategy outlines commitments to sustainability from MAGB and members’ malting businesses. Some companies have set ambitious targets, which include reaching net zero by 2030.

Barley contributes up to 65% of the carbon footprint in the final malt, with nitrogen fertiliser accounting for a large amount (up to 43%).

As a result, key focus points are to source low-carbon fertilisers and trial alternative nitrogen sources, including solids arising from anaerobic digestate processes.

At the most basic level, careful farm management and following farm standards, such as those set by Red Tractor and Scottish Quality Crops, will help optimise inputs and minimise waste.

Many companies are working with growers to help them go further. This includes adopting regenerative agricultural practices and promoting these across supply chains.

When applied optimally, such practices have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance soil health and improve biodiversity.

The malting industry sources its raw material from the UK, often working with the same farmers for many years, which helps implement new ways of working.

Grower groups have also been established by some companies to share innovation and best practices.

Maltsters are also supporting research initiatives, such as work at the International Barley Hub. For example, a recent PhD project explored companion cropping by undersowing short, herbaceous legumes in barley crops.

The work aimed to reduce nitrogen fertiliser requirements through biological nitrogen fixation, and herbicide applications, by increasing competition with weeds. The approach also helps to limit soil erosion by providing continuous soil cover.

Sustainability in malting is a multifaceted challenge. By focusing on sustainable barley production, optimising malting processes, measuring and reducing emissions and fostering collaboration, the malting industry can significantly reduce its environmental impact.

MAGB members’ wish list for grain nitrogen levels in 2025 barley crop purchases from England and Scotland.

• Winter
  • Under 1.65%: 9.73%
  • 1.66%–1.85%: 15.36%
  • Above 1.85%: 2.69%
• Spring
  • Under 1.65%: 40.94%
  • 1.66%–1.85%: 28.27%
  • Above 1.85%: 3.01%

• Winter
  • Under 1.65%: 9.48%
  • 1.66%–1.85%: 11.85%
  • Above 1.85%: 2.37%
• Spring
  • Under 1.65%: 61.14%
  • 1.66%–1.85%: 14.22%
  • Above 1.85%: 0.95%

• Winter
  • Under 1.65%: 0.61%
  • 1.66%–1.85%: 2.22%
  • Above 1.85%: 1.01%
• Spring
  • Under 1.65%: 92.63%
  • 1.66%–1.85%: 0%
  • Above 1.85%: 3.55%

How UK malt was used in 2024:

• UK distilling: 58%
• UK brewing: 31%
• Malt exports: 8%
• UK other: 3%