Paulig has published its Annual Report along with its Sustainability Report for 2020. The latest sustainability report is the first of its kind following Paulig’s announcement of new sustainability focus areas based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals last year.
The year 2020 and the COVID -19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to Paulig's business. Despite the exceptional circumstances, Paulig’s sales were strong and operating profit clearly improved. The Tex Mex category grew by 7.6%, and to support growth, Paulig announced a EUR 45 million investment in a tortilla production facility in Roeselare, Belgium. The investment decision reinforces the company’s position as a leading operator in the European Tex Mex market. Read more in our result bulletin.
Sustainability is an integral part of Paulig’s growth strategy, and the company’s goal is to become a sustainable frontrunner in the industry. There are three focus areas with related ambitions for the sustainability approach leading up to 2030:
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70% of Paulig’s net sales will come from products and services that enable health and well-being of people and the planet.
- The company will reduce GHG emissions in its own operations by 80%, and in its value chain by 50% compared to the 2018 baseline. All the company’s packages will be recyclable and will be made from renewable or recycled materials.
- 100% of raw materials from high-risk areas will come from sustainable sources verified by external parties.
The strategic sustainability initiatives derived from the program for 2021-2023 are part of the company’s growth strategy.
In July 2020, Paulig became the first food and beverage company in Finland to set science-based climate targets, leading to the abovementioned goal for percentage reductions in GHG emissions. The first concrete results were achieved in the same year, as Paulig reduced GHG emissions from own operations by 18%, and Paulig’s first production site to achieve CarbonNeutral® building certification.
In 2020, Paulig made the decision to switch to using carbon-neutral pallets, a change that will reduce CO2 emissions by 2,000 tonnes and waste by 145 tonnes per year. In packaging materials, the company tested the use of tall oil generated as a residue from the forest industry. The first test batch of Paulig Café New York was successfully packed and released to the market.
“Last year, Paulig’s sustainability work took a big leap forward when we launched an ambitious sustainability approach. It was an inspiring and productive year overall. The process of agreeing on a roadmap and defining strategic sustainability initiatives committed our entire organisation to sustainability work. Paulig aims to be a sustainable frontrunner in the food and beverage industry, and for this reason we set our ambitions high,” says Lea Rankinen, Director of Sustainability & Public Affairs.
During the challenging year, Paulig supported disadvantaged families as well as health care workers with food donations. Furthermore, Paulig has been the main partner of SOS Children's Villages in Finland, and the company’s sponsorship of the organisation continued in 2020. Paulig’s Annual Report along with its Sustainability Report will be published on April 23, 2021. Find the report in PDF format and more information about Paulig’s Sustainability Programme at www.pauliggroup.com/sustainability-in-the-food-and-beverage-industry.
For further information, please contact:
Anu-Maaria Vaalama
Head of Communications and Brand
anu-maaria.vaalama@paulig.com
+358 40 766 78 34
Paulig is a family-owned, international group in the food industry that builds a new and sustainable food culture - for both people and the planet. Paulig offers all things tasty: coffee and cold drinks, Tex Mex and Snacks products, spices and plant-based options. The company’s brands include Paulig, Santa Maria, Risenta, Gold & Green and Poco Loco. In 2020, Paulig's revenue was EUR 920 million and the Group has more than 2,000 employees in 13 different countries. They all invest in the promise: ”For a life full of flavour”.www.pauliggroup.com
