Zentis Fruchtwelt GmbH & Co. KG
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020-2021, 2022-01 to 2023-12)
Reporting Period: 2020-2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Resource-friendly production & climate protection
- Responsibility for raw material sourcing
- Partnership-like and customer-centric business practices
- Natural products
- Employees at Zentis
Environmental Achievements
- Certified as a climate-neutral company in 2021 at German locations
- Changeover to 100% eco-friendly power at German locations
- Reduction of carbon footprint (Scopes 1 and 2) at German locations by 8% between 2018 and 2021
- Use of >99% RSPO (SG) certified palm oil
- Use of >99% certified cacao for own brands
- Reduction of water consumption by 15% in 2021 compared to 2019
Social Achievements
- Awarded BEST PLACE TO LEARN® for vocational training
- Development of a Female Empowerment program
- Expansion and global alignment of further training offers
- Targeted adaptation of company services and operational health management to Covid-19 pandemic mandates
- Development of a Sustainability Ambassador program
Governance Achievements
- Expansion of the executive team with a third managing director in July 2022
- Compliance management system (CMS) certified to IDW PS 980
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Reduce global Scopes 1 and 2 emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2019
- Identify a Scope 3 reduction goal according to SBTi criteria
- Reduce global food waste by 50% by 2030
- Increase share of certified hazelnuts
- Reduce water consumption by 15% in 2021 compared to 2019 (achieved)
- Reduce plastic waste by 65% (achieved in Product Development department)
Environmental Challenges
- Covid-19 pandemic impacting working conditions, supply chain, sales margins, and communication
- Changing working conditions for employees
- Delays and shortages in the supply chain
- Turbulent sales margins due to worldwide lockdowns
- Limitations to personal and direct communication with suppliers
- Limited availability of raw materials due to climate change and geopolitical events
- Compliance with new legal regulations (e.g., supply chain due diligence)
- Increasing fuel prices
- Lack of specialists (truck drivers, warehouse specialists)
- Shortage of raw materials for packaging production
- High energy costs
- Global shortage in container availability
- Lockdown of ports
- Dramatic global weather conditions impacting harvests (drought, heat, frost)
- Covid-19 pandemic mandates impacting supply chains
Mitigation Strategies
- Expanded sustainability strategy despite challenges
- Set concrete goals for the company
- Long-term relationships and close collaboration with suppliers
- Certified raw materials
- Membership in Food for Biodiversity initiative
- Pilot project focusing on apricot growing supporting biodiversity
- Internal restructuring of Quality Management, Food Law, and Sustainability divisions
- Creation of Corporate Social Responsibility department
- Expanded own sourcing logistics
- Lead buying strategy
- Alternative sourcing strategies
- Prefinancing of raw materials
- Investment in certified climate protection projects
- Development of own reforestation project
- Use of LNG-powered truck
- Modernization of cooling aggregates
- E-learning tool for driver training
- Digitalization of supply chain and production processes
- Implementation of a container logistics system (CLS)
- App for digitally capturing and analyzing data for small containers
- Implementation of a forecasting system
- Development of smart containers
- Cross-departmental strategy project “Effizienz”
- Risk analyses of raw materials
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Annual supplier review
- Supplier audits
- Support for suppliers on-site (fruit scout)
- Expansion of the innovation ecosystem
- Establishment of Zentis Ventures Studio
- Strategic partnership Zentauer
- Expansion of FruchtCampus
- Global Continuous Improvement & Quality department
- Covid-19 task force
- Protective measures against infection (FFP2 masks, quick tests, disinfection)
- Covid-19 vaccination consultation and administration
- Expansion of remote working possibilities
- Alternative HR activities (online workshops, virtual challenges, special canteen offers)
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- General Specification for suppliers
- Supplier questionnaire
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Annual supplier review
- Lead buying strategy
- Fruit scout program
- Risk analyses of raw materials
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme drought, heat, and frost impacting harvests
Transition Risks
- Increasing fuel prices
- Shortage of raw materials for packaging
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Use of renewable energy sources
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards, Core option, Food Processing Sector Disclosures
Certifications: ISO 50001 (Aachen locations), IFS Food, FSSC 22000, ISO 17020 (Allergen inspection), Organic products (EG-Öko-VO, Naturland), GMO-free, Vegetarian and vegan products (EVU)
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
- Goal 2 (Zero Hunger)
- Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
- Goal 13 (Climate Action)
Initiatives related to food waste prevention, sustainable farming, support for small farmers, employee development, climate protection, and biodiversity preservation
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- NaturRein range
- 50% less sugar jams
- Plant-based peanut butter
Awards & Recognition
- BEST PLACE TO LEARN®
Reporting Period: 2022-01 to 2023-12
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate protection and resource conservation
- Responsible sourcing of raw materials
- Natural products
- Our employees
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced CO2e emissions by 23% in Scopes 1 and 2 in Germany compared to 2019
- Purchased 100% green power at German locations
- Reduced water consumption by 7.5% compared to 2021
- Reduced food waste by 25% compared to 2021
- Developed a climate protection project with bamboo reforestation in Nicaragua
- Financially supported climate protection projects offsetting 84,572 t CO2e
Social Achievements
- Launched a Female Empowerment program
- Expanded occupational health management at German locations
- Offered bicycle leasing for all employees in Germany
- Increased the number of qualified Sustainability Ambassadors to 269
- Received BEST PLACE TO LEARN® award for vocational training
Governance Achievements
- Established a Zentis Sustainability Council
- No incidents of corruption or non-compliance reported
Climate Goals & Targets
- Reduce global Scopes 1 & 2 emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2019
- Identify a Scope 3 reduction target according to SBTi criteria
- Globally reduce food waste by 50% by 2030
- Train 300 Sustainability Ambassadors by 2025
Environmental Challenges
- Changing weather and climatic conditions
- Supply chain disruptions due to the war in Ukraine and Covid-19
- Shortage of raw materials and rising costs
- Shortage of skilled workers
- Implementing new legal requirements (e.g., due diligence obligations)
Mitigation Strategies
- Long-term partnerships with suppliers
- Lead buying strategy
- Supplier Days to promote collaboration
- Internal working group to fulfill due diligence obligations under the LkSG
- Comprehensive raw material risk analysis
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Annual supplier evaluation covering 80% of purchasing volume
Responsible Procurement
- Long-term partnerships
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Supplier questionnaires
- On-site support by Fruit Scout team
- General specifications for suppliers (HACCP, hygiene, GMP, allergen management, GMOs, sustainability, packaging)
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme drought, heat, and frost
Transition Risks
- Supply chain disruptions
- Raw material shortages
- Rising costs
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards 2021
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
Zentis' sustainability activities contribute to these SDGs through sustainable agriculture, resource conservation, fair labor practices, sustainable product development, and climate protection initiatives.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- NaturRein range
- Less Sugar line
- Triple Zero range
- Palm oil-free varieties of Nusspli and Belmandel
- Sugar-reduced fruit preparations
Awards & Recognition
- LEADING EMPLOYER Award
- BEST PLACE TO LEARN® award