Interview

Doing so limits our exposure to challenges

around the kind of raw material supply and price

issues highlighted by the conf lict in Ukraine, and

works towards ensuring our agricultural and food

sovereignty.

What is the Group’s position on animal welfare?

T. G. Our goal is to use every resource we can to

contribute to keeping animals healthy.

One example of the ways

in which we do that is by

providing basic inputs

with the potential to

improve their digestion

of f ibre and protein. As

with plant nutrition, we

advocate an holistic

approach that addresses

all the issues involved in

order to take preventive

action, rather than

remedial action after the event. Examples of this approach

include our development of solutions which optimise the

comfort of animal bedding, or which target the bacteria

responsible for diseases like mastitis and dermatitis�

What other lines of R&D are your teams working on

at the moment?

T. G.

In terms of plant-related products, we’re

working on two projects. The f irst involves reducing

the N

2

0 (nitrous oxide) emissions that account for more

than half of all the greenhouse gas emissions produced

by the agricultural industry. Our future product will

combine no fewer than three patented technologies.

The second is studying the feasibility of recovering the

phosphorus sequestered in soils in order to improve

their microbiological life. In animal nutrition, we’re

running trials of a nitrogen-based product that we

expect will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from

cattle farming by around 30%, at the same time as

boosting nutrient assimilation.

Thomas Georgelin is Managing Director of

the Roullier World Innovation Centre (CMI),

which develops technology-driven solutions

that optimise the agronomic, economic and

environmental performance of crops and

livestock. Interview.

The range of Groupe Roullier plant nutrition and

animal productions is f irmly focused on the quest

for eff iciency. Why is that?

T. G.

Our solutions are designed to give farmers

the assurance of achieving optimum yields with

reduced environmental impact. This means delivering

consistently high product quality and adjusting the

quantities used to ensure the best-possible return on

investment. Nutritional eff iciency is absolutely central

to achieving this ambition. In terms of our products,

this means using agronomic additives to improve

nutrient absorption and transformation by the target

plant or animal, thereby reducing losses to the soil,

water and air, at the same time as curbing any loss of

biodiversity�

Our TopPhos range of fertilisers is an excellent

illustration of this principle in action. It ensures that

75% of the phosphorus units applied to f ields directly

benef it plant metabolism. The corresponding rate for

phosphorus commodity products is just 32%

1

�

How does this positioning address today’s market

expectations and context?

T. G.

The f irst thing to say is

that the goal of reducing inputs

by improving nutrient eff iciency,

and therefore yields, accords

with the ambition of the Green

Deal: transitioning the European

agricultural model.

The second point is that our

technology-driven soil improvers

and fertilisers and ranges of

biostimulants deliver additional benef its in terms of

promoting the sustainable and rational management

of mineral resources�

“Focusing simultaneously

on people, the environment

and the economy, our work

is central to the challenges

of sustainable development.”

Solutions to

the agricultural

challenges

of today and

tomorrow

“CMI Roullier is working to

support regeneration across

the world of agriculture

through its commitment to

strengthening the natural

functions specif ic to soils,

plants and animals.”

1. C. Giovannini

et al�

, 2012; Bologna university and CIPAV.

Non-Financial Performance Statement 2023 14