Cargill has been named to Fortune’s 2025 Change the World list for its role in accelerating the global shift toward a circular bioeconomy. The recognition highlights how one of the world’s largest agribusinesses is embedding sustainability into its core business model—turning agricultural and food waste into renewable energy, low-carbon materials, and bio-based products that fuel both environmental and economic progress.
“This recognition is a testament to what’s possible when innovation and sustainability go hand-in-hand,” said Pilar Cruz, Chief Sustainability Officer at Cargill. “At Cargill, we’re transforming agricultural byproducts into new growth opportunities—reducing waste, lowering emissions, and supporting farmers and customers alike. Our work in the circular bioeconomy reflects what we believe deeply: that sustainability can unlock both business value and global impact.”
A circular bioeconomy aims to move beyond the linear “take, make, waste” model by using renewable biological resources to produce food, fuel, materials, and energy—and reintroducing byproducts back into production cycles. For Cargill, this strategy goes beyond environmental responsibility; it’s a fundamental business transformation that strengthens supply chain resilience and creates new revenue pathways.
The company’s initiatives demonstrate this approach at scale. In Belgium, Cargill’s biodiesel facility in Ghent has achieved a reduction of 874,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel use, equivalent to removing 400,000 cars from the road for an entire year. Across its feed operations, 130,000 tons of surplus food have been upcycled into animal nutrition, reducing landfill waste and methane emissions while improving resource efficiency.
In Brazil, the company’s Cargill Bioenergia operation generates over 800 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually, supplying part of that energy to the national grid. Meanwhile, in North America, Cargill is collaborating with 60 farmers across 7,000 acres to research the potential of winter camelina—an oilseed crop that can enhance soil health, produce renewable fuel feedstocks, and create new revenue streams without displacing food production.
Cargill’s recognition comes as governments and businesses worldwide are accelerating the transition to circular and bio-based economies. According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBSCD), the circular bioeconomy represents a $7.7 trillion global business opportunity by 2030. The bio-based materials sector alone is projected to grow more than ninefold by 2033, while the bioenergy market is expected to exceed $250 billion globally within the same period.
Policy frameworks are also shaping this shift. The European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive and Fit for 55 package have increased demand for sustainable fuels and low-carbon feedstocks. In the United States, the Inflation Reduction Act provides tax incentives for renewable energy and biofuel production, encouraging companies like Cargill to scale low-carbon technologies. These converging forces are pushing traditional manufacturers, agricultural producers, and energy suppliers toward business models that prioritize regeneration and circularity.
Cargill’s inclusion on Fortune’s Change the World list signals a larger transformation in how corporate sustainability is perceived. Companies are moving from offset-based strategies to operational models that deliver measurable, in-house impact. For Cargill, that means integrating decarbonization and resource efficiency into every layer of its global supply chain—from farm to factory to fuel.
The company’s leadership in renewable fuels, agricultural upcycling, and low-carbon energy generation positions it as a front-runner in the transition to a regenerative economy.
