Sustainability is crucial to the future of Agriculture

Farmers need optimum performance, reliability and fuel economy from their vehicles and machinery – whatever time of year it is – and require the right type of oil and lubricants to ensure maximum use and minimal downtime. What’s more, they also want a product that does not cost the earth, quite literally! Witham Group offers the best of both worlds.

Witham Group has been by the side of farmers and agricultural businesses for over 100 years, offering their experience, know-how and passion, to keep wheels turning. Buying groups across the UK trust Witham’s service and products, all made to stringent requirements of original equipment manufacturers.

The range is used on large farming estates and, such is the high regard Witham is held in, the company is a proud holder of a Royal Warrant for the goods and services they supply to the royal estates. Witham’s product range is also used by thousands of agricultural businesses, often over many generations, who see the quality oil and personal service as a reliable source of lubricants, paints and other crucial products for the farm.

The future

However, what does Witham have to do to ensure it is ready for the next 100 years? Sustainability is one of Witham’s core values, alongside equality, respect, excellence and safety, and objectives for creating a ‘greener culture’ within its business.

Naturally, in an industry where, traditionally, additives, chemicals and fossil-based products are essential to the manufacturing process, Witham could face a tricky time overcoming cynicism and the stigma attached to the sector, but that has not stopped the company from challenging itself to place the environment at the heart of its day-to-day activities.

Witham’s steps to reduce environmental impact:

• The invention of a unique, carbon neutral blending process to the lubricant industry proven to drastically reduce the energy (fossil fuel) and saving huge amounts of energy, time, and carbon usage in the first instance and helping to radically improve the lubricant industry as a whole.
• The development of a growing range of award winning, high performance and environmentally sensitive products: BIOLUBE, PROLAN & ENVIROYL – all designed to help reduce environmental impact, as well as helping reduce engine emissions and improve fuel economy.
• Moving its grease range to a non-lithium-based alternative, to both free up this resource for electrification and reduce the overall carbon footprint of grease production.
• Investment in energy auditing equipment, to move further towards a totally carbon neutral site.
• Every Witham product is wrapped in recycled packaging.
• Offering free bulk storage tanks for free to customers, reducing the need for individual packaging drums, and helping avoid oil contamination.
• Installation of solar panels to generate new power to heat and light the buildings.
• To eliminate paper as much as possible in all internal processes, using handheld digital devices, only sending one delivery note copy and more efficient label printing.
• Rainwater harvesting to wash and clean vehicles and machinery and save water.

Witham is keen to share this environmental ethos with its agricultural customers and boasts an award-winning range of ‘green’ products, all designed to help reduce lubricant impact and pollution in the countryside, in food production, in waterways and for the end-user.

Also, as stated, Witham is the first and only lubricant blender and manufacturer in the world to blend carbon-neutrally. Witham uses a process called ‘Blendtek’, which removes the need for base oils and additives to be heated; instead, it mixes thousands of tonnes of products by using energy generated by solar panels and a 13amp plug. Where one batch would take three-to-four hours to blend, that same batch now takes less than 20 minutes. This ground-breaking initiative saves time, energy and, vitally, cuts its carbon footprint.

Witham Group is the first lubricant company to have a carbon neutral blending process, thanks to its new unique Ultrasound blending system.

What’s more, Witham uses plastic packaging containers that comprise of at least 30% recycled materials, meaning it is exempt from a new tax on plastic packaging, which came into effect in April 2022, that stipulates that there will be a ‘plastic tax’ charged on plastic packaging that has less than 30% recycled content.  This means that Witham’s customers avoid having to pay this additional tax, unlike their competitors who may have to pass this price increase on to their customers.

The need for a sustainable supplier is vital

The NFU has set a target of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the whole of agriculture in England and Wales by 2040.  More and more farmers are taking steps to achieve this.

Lincolnshire based farmer, Steven Wilkinson, said:

“In addition to our sustainable farming methods, we make a conscious effort to act responsibly and try to lower our carbon footprint.  This includes choosing suppliers such as Witham who offer carbon efficient lubricants and a great range of environmental alternatives.”

Witham Group Managing Director, Nigel R Bottom, said:

“We are super proud to have created a greener culture within our business. This means not only offering the best performing environmental products and services, but also our methods of manufacturing, energy use, waste disposal, packaging, fuel efficiency, storage solutions and welfare of those affected by our activities. We have all been changed and are constantly monitoring our progress to improve further.

 As a reputable manufacturer and supplier of lubricants and paint products, we are making a real difference to our industry, by offering a unique package of sustainable credentials, which in turn supports our customers to reach their own sustainability goals.”

What’s clear is that Witham has farmers’ and agricultural businesses’ interests at heart.   With its strong environmental ethos, Witham is in prime position to give its loyal customers another 100 years of quality and reliability – with a tinge of green with it! – and is why it’s the sustainable choice for the agriculture industry.

To read more about how Witham Group can help your business to meet its sustainability goals, or to shop their range of environmentally safe products, visit the Environment section of the website

Or view their brochure ‘Witham Group – The Sustainable Choice’