Macfarlanes has advised leading UK food and renewable-energy producer Staples Vegetables (Staples) as it enters a strategic partnership with global agribusiness investment firm, Solum Partners.
The partnership will support Staples in expanding both its produce operation and energy division, which utilises anaerobic digestion to convert crop residuals and food-waste by-products into renewable natural gas (RNG) and electricity. The company recently completed an expansion of its energy operations, enabling full-scale RNG production which powers Staples’ own operations with clean energy, lowers emissions, and generates a surplus for external offtake.
Solum’s investment will strengthen the supply reliability, accelerate technology adoption, further enhance product quality, and advance sustainability efforts across the value chain.
The Macfarlanes team was led by Corporate Partners Harry Coghill and Greg James alongside Senior Counsel Lauren Bretton, Senior Associate Jonathan Hock with Associate Abdi Buwe. Tax advice was provided by Partners Joe Robinsonand Sarah Shucksmith, Senior Associate Ellen Wildig and Associate Krishant Sen.