Weekly Digest: Sustainability recognition, Arla Foods Ingredients eyes growth in South America

09 Feb 2018

09 Feb 2018 --- This week in business, there were several announcements made for recognition in sustainability, including Unilever, ADM and IFF. First Milk announced that it has been awarded Best Strategic Partnership in the 2018 Nestlé Supplier Awards and DSM appointed a new EMEA Vice President (VP) of its Human Nutrition & Health business. Elsewhere, Orkla announced promising results for 2017 and Arla Foods Ingredients seeks market growth in South America.

In brief: Sustainability recognition & awards
Unilever has been recognized as a leader in tackling supply chain emissions by CDP, the non-profit environmental disclosure platform – for actions and strategies to manage carbon and climate change across the companies’ supply chain.

IFF was recognized on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies, an index launched this month. It joins the ranks of 99 other leading companies, assessed by performance in key stakeholder categories.

In the same week, ADM was highlighted in RobecoSAM’s 2018 Sustainability Yearbook.

First Milk announced that it has been awarded Best Strategic Partnership in the 2018 Nestlé Supplier Awards. The co-operative, which has supplied Nestlé for more than 13 years and is its single largest supplier, was recognized for consistently delivering Nestlé's supply requirements, as well developing and implementing a new farm program and for working closely with Nestlé to help shape and deliver its strategic objectives.

In brief: Appointments
Royal DSM announced the appointment Frédéric Boned as new Vice President EMEA DSM Human Nutrition & Health as of January 1, 2018.

Arthur Fearnall has been appointed to the Arla Foods amba board, with immediate effect. The appointment was made during an extraordinary meeting of the UK Area Forum this week, which comprises 94 British elected representatives. In the same week,

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) also announced that Brian Folkerts, who has 30 years of experience with companies, trade groups and government, will be the organization’s new Executive Vice President of Government Affairs.

In brief: Business
Orkla achieved operating profit (EBIT adj.) of NOK 1,443 million (US$181 million) in the fourth quarter of 2017, an increase of 10 percent. Branded Consumer Goods posted an improvement of 15 percent in operating profit. Operating revenues for Branded Consumer Goods rose 9 percent to NOK10,587 million (US$1328.2 million), while organic growth in turnover was 2.8 percent.

Arla Foods Ingredients agreed to acquire the shares in Arla Foods Ingredients S.A (AFISA) currently owned by SanCor to support the company’s ambition for market growth in South America.

Syngenta also announced the completion of the acquisition of Nidera Seeds from COFCO International. The initial announcement was made in November last year.

The Board of Directors of Mondelēz International, Inc. declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share of Class A common stock this week. This dividend is payable on April 12, 2018, to shareholders of record as of March 29, 2018.

And finally, GEA Group completed its share buyback program in the amount of up to €450 million within the envisaged timeframe. Between March 8, 2017, and February 6, 2018, a total of 12,003,304 shares were repurchased on the stock market.Syngenta also announced the completion of the acquisition of Nidera Seeds from COFCO International. The initial announcement was made in November last year.

In brief: Research
EFSA’s Advisory Forum called for more public investment in food safety research. In a joint statement with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Advisory Forum, tasked with providing EFSA with strategic advice on scientific issues, also stressed the benefits of increased interaction between funders, EU agencies and national partners on food safety research.