Weekly Roundup: Nestlé accelerates climate action, Symrise and Firmenich recognized for sustainability

11 Dec 2020 --- This week in industry news, Nestlé revealed its roadmap initiative for climate change, as well as its renewable energy project in the US. Symrise ranked among the top ten most sustainable companies globally by CDP, and Firmenich was recognized as a Global Environmental Leader triple “A” Listing for the third year running. IFF received all required antitrust clearances for intended combination with DuPont’s Nutrition & Biosciences (N&B) business. 

In brief: Sustainability strides
Nestlé has joined the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, a coalition of organizations acting in line with the UN 1.5°C ambition on climate change. The initiative is an official partner of the UN’s “Race To Zero” campaign. In addition to joining the Initiative, Nestlé will also become one of a select group of multinational 1.5°C Supply Chain Leaders. These companies will drive change across global supply chains and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the SME Climate Hub. Leaders will encourage and assist suppliers in halving emissions before 2030 and achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 at the latest.

Nestlé’s investment in Taygete I is an important milestone in its journey to achieve net-zero by 2050.In another move from the company, Nestlé is investing in Taygete I, a 2,000-acre solar project owned and developed by 7X Energy in Pecos County, Texas. With this investment, the solar project will add 250 MWac of solar electricity to the US grid. Nestlé will also purchase 100 percent of the renewable electricity attributes generated by the project’s energy production. This renewable energy will reduce carbon emissions while making favorites like DiGiorno pizza, Sweet Earth meals, Purina Pro Plan pet food and Tidy Cats cat litter. 

Symrise has ranked among the top ten global companies according to the current ranking of renowned non-profit organization CDP (previously known as the Carbon Disclosure Project). CDP makes a yearly assessment of companies’ actions on climate change, protecting water supplies and conserving forests. For forest conservation, the Holzminden-based company is doing better than in the previous year. It has achieved a spot on the A list in all three categories – the best possible result. 

Firmenich has been recognized by CDP as a leader in corporate sustainability, with a Triple “A” for climate change, water security, and forests for the third consecutive year. The gold standard of corporate environmental reporting places Firmenich among only ten companies worldwide with a Triple “A” listing in 2020.

The Jan Zandbergen Group has made a public pledge to support the Better Chicken Commitment by supplying chicken that meets these higher welfare criteria and promoting it across the industry. 

In brief: Business highlights
The European Commission has granted unconditional clearance to IFF and DuPont on the N&B acquisition. With the receipt of this clearance, the intended combination has received all required antitrust clearances and approvals that are a condition to the transaction’s closing. IFF and DuPont continue to expect to close the transaction in the first quarter of 2021.Amazon Fresh will simplify the shopping experience for Prime members, offer a greater selection, and introduce a new Recipes feature on Amazon.sg/fresh.

Post Holdings and Conagra Brands have agreed to Post acquiring the Peter Pan peanut butter brand from Conagra. Peter Pan is an iconic, nationally recognized brand with a 100-year-old history and a diversified customer base across key channels. Under the terms of the agreement, Conagra will provide transitional services to facilitate transitioning the business. The final terms of the transaction were not disclosed and the deal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2021.

Mosa Meat has completed the second closing of its Series B fundraising. The additional US$20 million brings the total raised so far in the round to US$75 million. The additional resources will accelerate Mosa’s next steps in extending its current pilot production facility, developing an industrial-sized production line, expanding the team, and introducing delicious cultivated beef to consumers. The funding brings together global investors dedicated to supporting Mosa’s mission to “develop a cleaner, kinder way of making real beef.” Investors include Blue Horizon Ventures, Target Global, ArcTern Ventures, Rubio Impact Venture and Mitsubishi Corporation.

A specialist food provider is offering continued access to its production technologies, regardless of EU-UK trade negotiations. European Freeze Dry, which has factories in Lancashire, UK and Kirke Hyllinge, Denmark, has scaled up its production facilities on either side of the post-Brexit trade divide. It will continue to support customers with freeze-dried food ingredients, contract manufacture and meal development. The growing company has expanded its staff and technology following a rise in orders for its range of freeze-dried ingredients and meal solutions.

HL Agro Products, a manufacturer and exporter of sesame seeds and corn derivative products, has received food safety certification through the British Retail Consortium Global Standards (BRCGS) for its fully automated sesame processing facility based in Kanpur. The facility was given an A Grade following an in-depth audit carried out at the end of September and is now ready to serve customers that require BRC compliance. The accreditation will allow HL Agro to enter the market sectors only accessible to certified producers as the company continues to increase its market share.

Flawsome! is donating one million drinks to UK charities while making people passionate about sustainable craft beverages.In brief: Other highlights
Amazon has launched Amazon Fresh in Singapore on Amazon.sg, an updated version of Amazon Prime Now’s two-hour grocery delivery service. Amazon Fresh simplifies Prime members' shopping experience by catering to their grocery and general shopping needs holistically on Amazon.sg and the Amazon Shopping app. 

Flawsome!, a UK-based juice brand that transforms imperfect fruit into cold-pressed juices, has launched three fruit juice flavors in Whole Foods Markets across London,UK, allowing consumers to choose a sustainably packaged drink to go. The three Flawsome! flavors available in Whole Foods Market are Orange, Apple and Strawberry and Sweet and Sour Apple, offered in both 750 ml and 250 ml glass bottles. The Flawsome! cold-pressed juices are vegan and gluten-free while also being 100 percent recyclable. 

By Elizabeth Green