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Carbon Gold Seek Strategic Partner

Carbon Gold Seek Strategic Partner: Carbon Gold, the world leader in carbon-rich soil amendments, is seeking investment from a strategic partner to accelerate growth in new and existing markets.

Carbon Gold, founded by Craig Sams, founder of Green & Blacks Chocolate and former chairman of the Soil Association, has pioneered and commercialised the use of proprietary carbon-rich soil amendments, proving the benefits of biochar and establishing its product range as commercially viable in the global tree care, commercial crop growing and sports turf industries.

Now the company is seeking a strategic partner who can offer the resources and efficiencies to scale up operations and maximise potential in this fast growth market.

Simon Manley, CEO of Carbon Gold, says: “The market for carbon-rich soil amendments is at a tipping point. We have a proven product range in markets that offer significant scale and regulatory drivers are furthering demand. We are now seeking a strategic partner that shares our mission to support sustainable agriculture and combat climate change.”

Carbon Gold’s products contain biochar – a high carbon form of charcoal that improves the structure, aeration, water-holding capacity and nutrient retention of all soil types and provides a permanent refuge for beneficial soil microbiology, supporting plant health.

Biochar’s role in achieving the UK’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 is recognised as critical by the Royal Society and The Royal Academy of Engineering, and the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have described biochar as an important Negative Emissions Technology.

Manley continues: “Carbon Gold is a first mover in this market; we’ve proven the concept in key sales channels and we are now ready to expand into this exciting opportunity. Sustainable agriculture and climate change have never been more front and centre in the news agenda and, with so many chemical pesticides, fungicides and stimulants being removed from the market in horticulture and sports turf, an established, well-known brand with a proven organic alternative presents a fantastic opportunity for a potential partner.”

Carbon Gold’s products are enriched with fungi, beneficial bacteria and trace minerals. Treated plants have been shown to have increased tolerance to pests and diseases including ash dieback, honey fungus, horse chestnut leaf miner in trees, fusarium in turf and root mat in tomatoes, and environmental pressures including drought and transplant shock in third-party controlled trials.

The company’s products are approved as organic in the UK and other European markets. They are FSC certified and approved for use in biodynamic systems by Demeter and the UK’s Biodynamic Association. This year Carbon Gold’s Soil Improver received B-Exemption for use in Dutch Horticulture from the RHP.

To find out more about biochar, visit www.carbongold.com.

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Carbon Gold Success At Mullion GC

in News, Press Release/by External Source

Carbon Gold Success At Mullion GC: With more and more chemical fungicides getting banned, how can Greenkeepers keep their turf healthy? A chance encounter at the 2018 BTME conference in Harrogate led Mullion Golf Club to the answer…

Mullion Golf Club is the most southernly course in the country, just a few miles north of Lizard Point in Cornwall. Being right on the coast, it’s under constant barrage from the Atlantic winds and, as such, often suffers salt damage, irrigation issues and disease outbreaks, particularly on the 14th green which is considered the club’s problematic green, sited on a cliff and constantly being awashed with salty air from the Atlantic Ocean. The green was built with a fine sand and has always struggled to get good rooting.

Head Greenkeeper, Gordon Tamblyn, happened upon Carbon Gold’s enriched biochar Turf Improver at the Sherriff Amenity stand at the BIGGA’s annual exhibition BTME at the start of 2018 and was intrigued.

Biochar is a high-carbon, purified form of charcoal that improves the structure, aeration and water-holding capacity of soil. Its chemical stability means it doesn’t break down, making it a one-time application, and its porous structure provides a permanent refuge for beneficial microbiology.

Carbon Gold’s biochar is enriched with mycorrhizae, Trichoderma, seaweed and wormcasts and has been shown to improve the health and vitality of turf, improve grass rooting, reduce irrigation costs, eliminate the need for fungicides and dramatically reduce the need to put down fertiliser in trials by Sherriff Amenity.

In March, during the Clubs greens renovations, Mullion’s 14th green had been hollow-tined ready to have Carbon Gold’s enriched biochar Turf Improver swept into the Rootzone.

“I was intrigued by Carbon Gold’s Turf Improver because the science around biology made a lot of intuitive sense and the trial results were impressive, plus the fact that it reduces costs and is a one-time application, it was definitely worth a shot. I’m always looking for new ways of improving soil structure, preventing disease and promoting the Fescue grasses, due to the nature of our environment at Mullion owing to how exposed to the elements we are.”

Gordon Tamblyn, Head Green Keeper, Mullion Golf Club

The biochar was used in conjunction with mycorrhizae inoculants and, eight months on, despite an outbreak of Fusarium this Autumn, the 14th green is completely disease free, the grass is showing better rooting, feels firmer and is looking much healthier.

“I’m really impressed by the fact that our biggest problem-green is a lot healthier, firmer and is disease free. And the rooting is impressive, I noticed there’s absolutely no break-off when changing holes.”

Gordon Tamblyn, Head Green Keeper, Mullion Golf Club

As a result of the trial, Gordon is applying Turf Improver to its putting green and would like to incorporate it to the rest of the course, permanently improving the health of Mullion Golf Club’s turf.

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Carbon Gold Achieves Business Certification

in Industry News, Press Release/by Mike Newby

Carbon Gold Achieves Business Certification: Carbon Gold, the Bristol-based supplier of enriched biochar to the turf, arb and grower markets in the UK and Europe, has achieved B Corp status.

The certification, which is a global standard used to measure a for-profit company’s social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency, is described as being to business what Fair Trade certification is to coffee.

The accreditation means Carbon Gold has successfully surpassed the rigorous standards set by the non-profit B Lab to become certified as a conscientious business that operates sustainably in its markets, cares for its employees, and has a positive impact on the world.

Craig Sams, Executive Chairman at Carbon Gold, says, “Carbon Gold has always been about making a difference. Whether that’s helping trees flourish in the face of pests and diseases, boosting commercial growers’ yields to help them meet growing demand and stay profitable, or sequestering carbon permanently in soil to combat climate change. It’s important that, as a business, we reflect those positive commercial goals.”

“I think in the corporate world, if you were to think of companies as people, you wouldn’t want to be friends with a lot of them. From the beginning, we’ve always said we would not operate like that. We want our team to enjoy working for us and we want our customers and commercial partners to enjoy being part of our stakeholder group.”

Kate Sandle, Community Manager at B Lab UK, says, “As a movement of companies who believe business can be a force for good, we are delighted to welcome Carbon Gold to the B Corp community. We need more businessmen like Craig Sams to champion the health of our planet. The addition of Carbon Gold to our diverse community is important to continue driving the change we seek across all sectors.”

B-Corp status is the latest in a suite of accreditations for Carbon Gold which is also FSC certified, approved by the Soil Association for use in organic food production, approved for use in biodynamic systems through the globally recognised Demeter standard, and corporate members of LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming).

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Greenfields Awarded Constructionline Gold Certificate

in Industry News, Press Release/by Louise Henderson

Greenfields Awarded Constructionline Gold Certificate: GreenFields (Sports Surfaces) UK Ltd have proudly received the Constructionline Gold Certificate, an accolade which is testament to the team’s commitment to excelling in project delivery, workplace and health and safety practices.

Constructionline is the UK’s leading procurement provider and supply-chain management service providing potential buyers with minimised risk combined with optimised supplier performance evidenced by businesses such as GreenFields meeting a range of crucial industry standards.

The gold (level 3) accreditation ensures that a company abides by current legislations in areas such as modern slavery, anti-bribery and corruption and equal opportunities as well as assessing high standards in environmental management, quality management, equality and diversity, governance and risk management. In addition, GreenFields were assessed for and awarded a Health and Safety SSIP Certificate in SMAS (Safety Management Advisory Services) demonstrating compliance in health and safety legislation to potential buyers.

GreenFields have held Constructionline Silver accreditation for over four years and their demonstration of professional practices has ensured a promotion to the advanced gold level.

Paul Milton, Director at GreenFields commented: “We are proud to have been awarded Constructionline Gold certification, this new accreditation displays to our potential customers that we are a committed and responsible organisation dedicated to building high quality sports pitches and to meeting industry standards as well as relevant legislation and practices.”

With over 300 high quality pitch installations across the UK at a number of educational institutes and high-profile sports facilities, GreenFields UK offer clients a turnkey ‘one-stop shop’ solution combining R & D, manufacturing, design and installation services with performance testing and ongoing pitch maintenance.

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Troon Appointed By Gold Creek

in Press Release/by Maddy Pearce

Troon Appointed By Gold Creek: Troon International presence expanded in Australia as Gold Creek becomes the latest addition to portfolio.

Troon International, the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing is pleased to announce its latest appointment; to provide full golf course management services to the semi-private Gold Creek Country Club, Canberra. Utilising Troon and its industry-leading expertise, the venue is set on increasing the quality of its offering, on and off course, to members and visitors.

The 18 Hole Championship Course, designed by Australian legend Bruce Devlin, is ranked amongst the top five courses in the Canberra area – the most liveable city in the world. Renowned as one of the finest courses in inland Australia, Gold Creek continues to evolve, under the leadership of Course Superintendent, Simon Snedden with some of the best greens in the country.

Boasting some of the most premium facilities in the region, the championship course is complemented by a driving range and clubhouse with extensive catering facilities, swimming pool, tennis courts, gymnasium and a child day care centre.

“This appointment presents an exciting opportunity for us to partner with an established club in a thriving region of the world,” commented Mark Chapleski, President – Troon International. “We are delighted to be working with the team at Gold Creek and to marry our expertise with the team’s knowledge and experience to enhance the development here in Canberra and offer new and existing members as well as visitors, an experience to rival the very best.”

Troon’s involvement will ensure the property delivers on its potential, in its offerings both on and off the golf course.

Mr John Konstantinou, Director and owner of Gold Creek has been vocal in his support of the Troon appointment. He said: “I believe Troon Golf can provide Gold Creek, together with its members, a golf facility that will further establish us as one of the best in the ACT, offering club members not only quality playing surfaces and superb course conditions but also the plethora of benefits that come with having Troon Golf on board.”

For more information, visit http://www.goldccc.com.au/

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