Orkla prefers sustainable suppliers
Orkla, a consumer product manufacturer, is one of the largest buyers of food ingredients in the Nordic countries. Among its notable brands are Panda, Felix, and Kalev. Orkla is committed to sourcing raw materials with the well-being of people, the environment and animal welfare in mind. Orkla purchases Valio’s industrial ingredients for the production of various applications, ranging from confectionery to ready meals.
“Sustainability is part of Orkla’s business strategy, and it is becoming a key to success for companies,” says Helene Thörnlund, responsible for sustainable sourcing at Orkla Foods. Regulation is becoming tighter, and consumers and financiers alike are expecting more and more from companies regarding sustainability.
“Our most important sustainability goals are related to reducing climate emissions,” Thörnlund says. Orkla aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2045, with a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the value chain by 30 percent by 2025.
“The agricultural producers who supply us with raw materials have an important role to play in achieving the targets as over 90 percent of our emissions come from our upstream value chain. Dairy is a key area emission reduction. Milk production is a major source of emissions in our value chain, and it is an area where reductions can be made,” Thörnlund says.
Ongoing cooperation with suppliers is key. Suppliers’ sustainability activities are reviewed together, looking for ways to accelerate emission reductions.