CSM Ingredients Group, a Nexture company comprising CSM Ingredients and HIFOOD, has released its fourth Sustainability Report, confirming steady progress and announcing new strategic targets as follows:
• 100% direct suppliers monitored and assessed in terms of social impacts by end 2025;
• 100% certified direct materials (palm oil, cocoa, soya, paper-based packaging) by 2030;
• Triple the business volume of the Value Added Solutions category by 2030 (vs. 2024).
“Our 2024 Sustainability Report shows the tangible progress we are making to embed sustainability into every part of our business, from responsible sourcing to innovation,” said Christian Sobolta, Chief Executive Officer of CSM Ingredients Group. “By working closely with our suppliers, investing in circular solutions, and rethinking packaging and product innovation, we are positioning ourselves to deliver long-term positive impact for people, the planet, and the food industry.”
The Group’s Thrive for Impact strategy continues to be built on three fundamental pillars: People, Planet, and Product.
People and Communities
In 2024, CSM Ingredients Group reinforced its engagement with direct suppliers to promote sustainable practices and respect for human rights along the value chain. By the end of 2024, 90% of direct suppliers by spend and over 70% of the supplier base had been engaged through the platform Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) and EcoVadis (a leading platform for assessing and rating corporate sustainability performance) and the Company aims for 100% supplier monitoring and assessment on social impacts by 2025.
“People remain at the center of our sustainability journey. By fostering diversity and inclusion, prioritizing health and safety, and strengthening ties with local communities, we are building a workplace where our employees can thrive while making a positive impact,” said Enrica Satta, Chief Human Resources Officer and Sustainability CSM Ingredients Group. “Furthermore, as a signatory of the UN Global Compact, we respect and support the International Bill of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations and we use our influence to prevent infringements of human rights from happening. Our human rights commitments extend across our business and broader value chain”.
CSM Ingredients Group – which at the end of 2024 employed 1,321 people of 25 different nationalities, with women representing 30% of the workforce, up from 27% in 2023 – continues safeguard employee safety and well-being through a centralized Health & Safety governance system, including the CARE 2.0 program aimed at achieving zero incidents and zero food waste.
Planet: Climate, Responsible Sourcing, and Waste
CSM Ingredients Group recognizes that sourcing ingredients has direct implications on the environment, human rights, and long-term value chain resilience. Its approach focuses on traceability, transparency, and ethical sourcing.
Palm oil certification reached 75% (46% Segregated, 29% Mass Balance) and 32% of cocoa volumes were certified under the Rainforest Alliance, while the Group’s ambition is to reach 100% of the direct materials sourced certified by 2030 with palm, cocoa, soy and paper-based packaging in scope.
CSM Ingredients Group is also preparing for compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), rolling out new supplier questionnaires to ensure deforestation-free sourcing of high-risk commodities such as palm oil, cocoa, coffee, soy, and paper-based materials.
On the environmental side, CSM Ingredients Group achieved important goals: a 7% reduction in Scope 1 and an 8% reduction in Scope 2 market-based emissions on a like-for-like basis and 80% of electricity used was from renewable sources (compared to 62% of 2023), with over 95% secured by Guarantees of Origin.
Waste management also improved, with a 23% decrease in non-hazardous waste compared to 2023 and zero waste sent to landfill.
Finally, packaging innovation was another milestone: in Italy, CSM Ingredients switched to to Tetra Brik® Aseptic with plant-based polymers for its broad range of Plant-Based Creams. Made with 87% renewable materials, this packaging solution delivers a 12% CO₂ reduction compared to the previous standard version.
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Joseph Clarke
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