Perdue AgriBusiness and Eion Sign Groundbreaking Carbon Removal Agreement
In a major development for agricultural sustainability and climate action, Eion—a pioneering climate technology company harnessing the science of enhanced rock weathering (ERW)—has announced a groundbreaking carbon insetting agreement with Perdue AgriBusiness, a leading agricultural enterprise and subsidiary of Perdue Farms. This strategic partnership marks a historic first: the deployment of an ERW solution directly within a company’s own agricultural supply chain for the purpose of removing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Through this innovative collaboration, Perdue’s grain farmers across the Mid-Atlantic region will apply olivine, a naturally occurring silicate mineral, to their farmlands. Eion has optimized this mineral to weather rapidly and absorb CO₂ efficiently. The result? An estimated removal of approximately 3,500 tons of CO₂ from the atmosphere. By choosing olivine, which has long been approved for agricultural use, the initiative not only promotes climate health but also boosts soil productivity at a cost lower than that of traditional agricultural lime.
This agreement between Eion and Perdue represents more than a carbon removal milestone—it signals a shift in how companies approach sustainability. Until now, most organizations participating in voluntary carbon markets have pursued “offsetting,” wherein they support emissions reduction projects outside of their direct operations. In contrast, this partnership embodies “insetting,” a practice where climate action is embedded within the company’s own supply chain. Insetting not only drives environmental gains but also aligns with core business processes, offering a model for scalable, long-term climate impact.
Accelerating Nature’s Carbon Cycle
At the heart of Eion’s approach is the acceleration of a natural geological process that normally spans thousands of years. Enhanced rock weathering mimics the Earth’s method of regulating CO₂ levels through mineral reactions. By distributing finely ground olivine onto farmland, Eion accelerates the rock’s natural weathering process, enabling it to react with CO₂ in the atmosphere and convert it into stable bicarbonate, which is eventually stored safely in the oceans.
“Olivine is a remarkable material for this purpose,” explains Anastasia Pavlovic, CEO of Eion. “It’s not only abundant and well-understood in agricultural contexts, but its high magnesium content gives it strong CO₂-absorbing capabilities. In addition, the trace elements found in olivine allow us to track and quantify the carbon removal accurately. This ability to measure impact is essential as the voluntary carbon market evolves and matures.”
By deploying ERW in partnership with forward-thinking companies like Perdue, Eion aims to make carbon removal a routine part of agricultural production. The company sees the agricultural sector—with its vast tracts of arable land—as uniquely positioned to host large-scale ERW operations that contribute meaningfully to global decarbonization goals.
Perdue’s Commitment to Regenerative Agriculture
Founded more than a century ago by Arthur and Pearl Perdue in the Delmarva Peninsula, Perdue has maintained a longstanding reputation for high-quality agricultural products, ethical animal welfare, and environmental stewardship. In recent years, the company has amplified its focus on sustainability, launching the Perdue AgriBusiness Sustainability Program in 2021. This initiative aims to enhance soil health, conserve water, promote biodiversity, and build resilient ecosystems throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed and beyond.
Through the partnership with Eion, Perdue is now taking another bold step toward fulfilling its sustainability vision. The integration of ERW into its operations reflects a growing recognition of the role agriculture can play in addressing climate change. Rather than relying solely on downstream supply chain partners or external offsets, Perdue is actively reducing its environmental footprint at the source—on the very farms that supply its raw materials.
“At Perdue AgriBusiness, innovation and sustainability go hand-in-hand,” said Perry Aulie, President of Perdue AgriBusiness. “We’re always looking for solutions that support our farmers, strengthen rural communities, and enhance the environment. Eion’s enhanced rock weathering technology offers a rare trifecta: it sequesters carbon, improves soil health, and is economically viable for growers. It’s a perfect fit for our goals.”
Aulie emphasized that this project isn’t just about emissions—it’s about strengthening the foundations of agriculture. Healthier soils retain more moisture, resist erosion, and yield more resilient crops. These improvements, in turn, benefit the entire supply chain and ultimately support the long-term viability of American farming.
The Growing Promise of Agricultural Insetting
The Perdue-Eion collaboration exemplifies a broader trend gaining momentum in the world of carbon markets. As companies face increasing pressure to decarbonize, many are recognizing the strategic advantages of insetting over offsetting. By embedding carbon removal efforts directly into operations, insetting offers measurable, verifiable impacts that simultaneously improve business performance and environmental outcomes.
With approximately 800 million acres of farmland in the United States, the potential for agricultural insetting is immense. If scaled broadly, enhanced rock weathering could contribute to the removal of gigatons of CO₂ annually—significantly advancing global climate targets.
Eion is actively working to grow its network of insetting partnerships, focusing on companies that share a commitment to sustainable agriculture and science-driven climate action. Pavlovic noted that the future of carbon removal lies in collaboration across sectors: “The carbon market is evolving, and Eion is evolving with it. We believe ERW has the potential to become a standard agricultural practice—and that partnerships like this one are the key to unlocking its full potential.”\
