Weekly Digest: Naturex gains sustainability rating, Emmi plant progressing on 2020 CO2 emissions goals

06 Jul 2018 --- This week in business, Naturex was awarded a “Gold” rating by EcoVadis. The group received a score of 62/100, putting it in the top 5 percent of companies rated by the group. In other news, Campden BRI is calling on companies to join its group bid for a share of its Innovate UK fund to reduce the harm that plastics do to the environment. Emmi has committed to reducing its global CO2 emissions by 25 percent by 2020.

In brief: Sustainability
Naturex has received a “Gold” rating from EcoVadis. The group received a score of 62/100, which is based on the company’s performance in four areas: environmental friendliness, work practices, fair trade practices, and responsible purchasing. Stéphanie Puel, Personal Care Business Unit Director, notes: “This distinction recognizes the efforts made by Naturex teams and contributes to our reputation as a responsible and committed company to our customers.”

Campden BRI is calling for companies to join its group bid for a share of its Innovate UK fund to reduce the harm that plastics do to the environment. Innovate UK is investing towards a zero waste funding competition which aims to increase productivity and growth of the UK economy. The food and drink research company is keen to hear from retailers and manufacturers of food and packaging materials who are interested in joining. An initial meeting of interested parties will be held later this month. 

Swiss dairy company Emmi has reported that its Mittelland Molkerei facility in Suhr has reduced its energy consumption by a total of 5 percent over the last five years through numerous measures. The next step is the replacement of fossil fuels with a renewable alternative. Emmi has previously committed to reducing its global CO2 emissions by 25 percent by 2020. In Switzerland, the thermal energy consumption of all Emmi sites is around 180-gigawatt hours a year, of which 32-gigawatt hours are accounted for by the Suhr facility. The annual CO2 emissions of Mittelland Molkerei, which specializes in the production of milk, cream and butter, will, therefore, be reduced by 80 percent or 5,000 tons from 2020. In the same week, Emmi has held a stake in the goat’s and sheep’s milk product trader AVH dairy trade B.V. (AVH), based in Bergen, the Netherlands, since January 1, 2013. Now, Emmi is increasing its stake from 75 percent to 90 percent.

In brief: Recognition & awards
The American Meat Science Association (AMSA) has announced that Dr. Poulson Joseph, Principle Scientist and Team Leader at Kalsec, is now the recipient of one of three Distinguished Achievement Awards. The award was received at an awards banquet at the AMSA 71st Reciprocal Meat Conference (RMC) on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, in Kansas City, Missouri. The Achievement Award was established in 1992 and is designed to recognize and foster the development of young AMSA members who have demonstrated significant scientific skills in muscle foods research and technology that contribute to the animal products industry and the AMSA.

In brief: Acquisitions
Nomad Foods has completed its previously announced acquisition of Aunt Bessie’s from William Jackson & Son Ltd. for a purchase price of approximately €240 million (US$280.8 million). The acquisition is expected to further develop Nomad Foods’ portfolio in the important UK market. Aunt Bessie’s sells a range of branded frozen food products and the brand holds number one and number two market share positions, respectively, within frozen Yorkshire puddings and frozen potatoes.

Further to its announcement made on December 15, 2017, Unilever has completed the sale of its Spreads business to KKR. The company also announced that it has completed the sale of its Spreads business in Southern Africa to Remgro and the related acquisition of Remgro’s interest in Unilever South Africa. At the time of the announcement, it excluded its South Africa Spreads business.

In brief: Appointments & retirements
Kräuter Mix GmbH headquartered in Abtswind, Germany has appointed Bernhard Mix as an additional Managing Director. With immediate effect, Christoph Mix and Bernhard Mix will serve as managing partners and Silke Wurlitzer as Managing Director at the manufacturer of herbal raw materials. With the appointment of Bernhard Mix, the family business continues its transition to the fourth generation. Bernhard Mix joined the company in 2010 and has been in charge of strategic product management in purchasing and sales as an authorized signatory.

By Elizabeth Green