IRELAND – Kerry Group has announced a new sustainability strategy, Beyond the Horizon, which it has commited to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 percent by 2030 and achieve net zero before 2050.

Beyond the Horizon includes ambitious sustainability targets that address key impacts by 2030 in the areas of nutrition and health, emissions, energy, circular economy, raw materials, and social impact.

“This is a challenging goal and will require us to deliver on our sustainability commitments to realize our vision of being our customers’ most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition,” Juan Aguiriano, head of sustainability at Kerry, said.

“We are supporting a more circular approach on plastics and waste with a target for all plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025 and we will ensure that all our priority raw materials are sustainably sourced by the end of the decade.”

“We are supporting a more circular approach on plastics and waste with a target for all plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025 and we will ensure that all our priority raw materials are sustainably sourced by the end of the decade.”

Juan Aguiriano – head of sustainability, Kerry

In its strategy, Kerry will reduce operational emissions by 33 percent by 2030 reaching net zero before 2050 and reducing emission intensity of the supply chain by 30 percent by 2030.

It will also ensure that all plastic packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. Food waste will be reduced by half by 2030 and diverting all waste from landfill.

Sustainably sourcing all priority raw materials by 2030 and improving diversity while continuing to foster a healthy and inclusive workplace, is also part of their strategy.

Among its sustainable packaging activities, Kerry worked to remove black plastic trays from the meals within its Consumer Foods division and were first to market with an innovative new material called Evolve.

Made with recycled content, these trays are fully recyclable, detectable and recoverable within the UK recycling system.

Kerry has recently debuted an extract technology that enables innovators to formulate with the flavor essences of citrus fruits, labeled as “natural extracts.” The technology is designed to provide an extended, “more full-bodied” finish to flavored NPD.

In consumer trends analysis, the company has observed a rising trend in meat products with cleaner, shorter labels. More consumers are actively working to eliminate unrecognizable and artificial ingredients from their diets.

Another recent Kerry report revealed there is consumer acceptance of dry-based beverages. In the retail marketplace, dry beverages – such as powdered water enhancers, powdered instant coffee and iced tea mixes – have seen growth this year.

The company has previously highlighted that tradition with a twist will lead in festive beverages this winter. In response to this, it has launched a new range of beverage concepts, which include on-trend and botanical ingredients such as cardamom, cinnamon and rhubarb.

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