“Sustainable growth, well prepared for the future”

Uelzena Group publishes its online sustainability report 2019. The latest sustainability report focuses on regional sourcing, sustainable milk production and climate protection 

Uelzen, July 2020 - The Uelzena Group has published its fifth sustainability report with the title “Sustainable growth, well prepared for the future”. Progress, measures and key successes were also reported in the 2019 business year within the five action fields of company, products, production, employees, and social and regional responsibility. Relevant data and facts are also published. 

Regional and sustainable sourcing  

Sourcing raw materials from the surrounding area is a key sustainability principle for the Uelzena Group. 86 % of raw ingredients and packaging materials were purchased regionally in 2019, helping Uelzena contribute to greater regional added value as well as greater sustainability due to shorter transport routes.

The newly acquired milk suppliers made it possible to achieve an increase of 21 % in milk deliveries and reach a new record level. The Uelzena Group supports its goal to source milk raw materials as sustainably as possible by participating in the QM sustainability module milk. With its continued participation in the sustainability module, Uelzena is consistently pursuing its approach to secure milk production on a long-term basis. The project is entering a second round in July 2020 after a three-year pilot phase. 

Climate change: Challenges for milk production  

Milk production and climate protection are the main topics of this year’s report. Milk producers are affected by climate change in two respects: They feel the effects of climate change directly due to persistent drought and the resulting feed scarcity and they can also help to reduce greenhouse gases, achieving climate goals. An interview with an Uelzena milk producer, who is focusing on the carbon footprint of his milk, examines the topic of climate-friendly milk production.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions also plays a major role at the processing level. For instance, the Uelzena Group reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 52 % based on production volume compared with 2012. These and many other key figures have been recorded transparently by the Uelzena Group since 2014 in accordance with the GRI Guidelines. You can find the key figures in the online 2019 sustainability report: https://www.uelzena.de/en/sustainability/gri-index-of-the-uelzena-groupwith-all-disclosures/

Sustainability strategy of the Uelzena Group 

The sustainability strategy of the Uelzena Group has been reviewed and revised over the past two years. Based on a new stakeholder and materiality analysis, the objectives and measures in the individual action fields have been adjusted and new key performance figures defined. These set the path for the corporate strategy 2025. You can find the five action fields with their associated objectives here: https://www.uelzena.de/en/company/strategy/

Transparent sustainability communication

Sustainability reporting offers all stakeholders transparent and reliable information on the company’s economic, ecological and social activities, and creates a framework for joint dialogue. The exclusively online report is published annually and is based on international GRI standards (Global Reporting Initiative) according to the “core” option. The 2019 GRI index and key figures are available to download as a PDF. Further information on the online 2019 sustainability report: https://www.uelzena.de/en/sustainability/