GNT has passed the halfway mark in its mission to reduce carbon intensity at its EXBERRY colour factories by 50 percent over the current decade.
Based on the volume of products sold, GNT cut carbon emissions at its production sites in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States by 26 percent between 2020 and 2024. This achievement is particularly significant given the company’s growth during the same period.
Global sales for plant-based EXBERRY colours have increased more than 50 percent since 2020. Under normal circumstances, such growth would have driven a substantial increase in total carbon emissions due to increased production demands.
However, by improving efficiency and investing in sustainable technologies, GNT has kept overall emissions in check. Its new sustainability report revealed strong progress toward many of the 17 sustainability targets it aims to achieve by 2030.
Water efficiency at its factories has improved by 30 percent compared to 2020, surpassing the original 20 percent goal. The company also committed to ensuring that every contract farmer growing fruits, vegetables, and plants for EXBERRY colours enrolls in sustainable agriculture training programs.
By the end of 2024, 80 percent of the farms will have achieved the FSA (Farm Sustainability Assessment) Silver or Gold level.
In addition to its environmental aims, GNT’s targets include measures to benefit people throughout the EXBERRY value chain. In 2024, the lost-time accident rate at the factories fell to 25 percent below the industry average.
The company also helped organise a three-day leadership training program in Peru as part of its commitment to supporting social livelihood projects in its sourcing areas.
“We are proud to say that we are still delivering on our ambitious plans to protect people and the planet while achieving significant global growth,” said Hendrik Hoeck, CEO at GNT Group.
“Our 2024 report underlines our continued determination to lead the food colouring industry on sustainability and ensure that GNT is in a position to thrive for generations to come.”
GNT secured an EcoVadis gold medal last year for its environmental and ethical activities, with its score placing the company among the top three percent in the food manufacturing industry.
It is now working on plans to go even further in 2025. With GNT on track to meet its CO2 targets at its factories, the top priority is reducing indirect emissions throughout its wider value chain.
“We have made excellent progress at our production sites and now need to work with our suppliers to achieve reductions in other areas,” said Rutger de Kort, Sustainability Manager at GNT Group.
“This is more challenging as these emissions are outside our direct control, but our closely managed supply chain gives us a real advantage, and we are developing plans to address the biggest hotspots.”
In line with its commitment to transparency, GNT secured independent verification for its emissions data. It also offered its customers Product Environmental Footprint information across scopes 1, 2, and 3 for EXBERRY colours.
“Trust is hugely important to us. This is why we publish independently audited Greenhouse Gas Verification Statements and provide our customers with the data they need to make informed decisions about optimising their recipes.”
