As the world’s leading supplier of speciality vegetable oils and fats, at AAK we are keenly aware of our responsibility to source, handle, produce and deliver our products in the most efficient and sustainable manner as we strive to meet our strategic goals.
Through our close relations with stakeholders, be they customers, investors, employees, suppliers or the local communities where we operate, we are committed to integrating sustainability in all our activities, with a balanced and holistic approach. In this respect, as an integral part of our business we endeavour to initiate and participate in winwin projects that benefit our surroundings.
2010 milestones
The ten principles of the UN Global Compact are the foundation of all our sustainability work. Based on these, in 2010, we adopted a Code of Conduct, applicable to all our employees, serving as a guideline for how we conduct business responsibly.
Last year’s publication of our first sustainability report was also an important milestone in our sustainability efforts. By systematic reporting of our objectives, activities and data, we provide a thorough overview of our progress and areas where we need to improve. This transparency, which continues in our second report, is central to our stakeholder communications and an important criterion for remaining the first-choice supplier in our industry.
Proactive initiatives
Two sustainability issues, which are high on our agenda, relate to the sourcing of oils from tropical climates, in particular shea and palm oil.
One example of where we can and do make a real difference is our strong local presence in rural West Africa, where we source shea. Here, our invaluable knowledge of and close links with our suppliers – the women of the villages – has enabled us to create opportunities to enhance their living and working conditions.
Another major initiative is the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, of which AAK is a founder member and Executive Board member. Our involvement in the leadership of this multi-national, multi-stakeholder organisation is helping to move the palm industry towards the production of sustainable palm oil as the rule rather than the exception in the years ahead.
We can be proud of our contributions in both of these areas.
Meeting the challenges
One of the most important challenges for AAK is how to support our customers in achieving their CSR objectives. The safeguarding of our customers’ brands is a fundamental requirement, and to remain the first choice, we must partner with our customers to reach their goals. Our long and close customer relationships help us deliver in this respect.
Another important challenge is preparing for and adapting to the various international and national climate change mitigation initiatives. While this primarily involves reducing our carbon footprint, we are also constantly working to optimise the use of resources and striving to minimise any form of waste.
The shift from conventional palm oil to certified sustainable palm oil is yet another challenge. We meet this with a deep understanding of both the supply and demand chains and their needs and wants, and aim to unite these by continuing to drive sustainability in the supply chain, and encouraging the uptake of certified sustainable palm oil by customers.
With sustainability on top of our agenda, we are convinced that even better years lie ahead of us. Our responsible approach is building strong capabilities for sustainable growth into new markets, countries and cultures.