BELGIUM – Puratos Group, a Belgium-based ingredient company that supplies bakers, patissiers and chocolatiers, has announced that it is switching to more sustainable packaging in a sustainability drive.

The company said it is making changes that mean all its packaging will become 100% recycle-ready, with some packaging getting additional improvements such as paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and an ink reduction of up to 70%.

The business will also adopt more sustainable packaging production processes using fewer chemicals and less energy.

Sophie Blum, chief marketing and channels officer said: “At Puratos, we are making major strides towards improving the sustainability of our packaging.

“It’s a major undertaking, with the size and diversity of our global portfolio. We are striving towards a better and more sustainable future.”

In addition, the company is also improving the functionality of some of its packaging for customers by introducing easier recycling, simpler opening and closing and improved pallet stacking properties.

The company said the actions would move the business closer to its goal of being carbon-neutral by 2025 and zero-waste-to-landfill by 2030 while helping to lower its customers’ environmental footprints.

“We are committed to helping build a more sustainable future and creating solutions that promote the health and well-being of people everywhere,” added Blum.

“That is why we continuously invest in research and innovation to create solutions and ingredients that will help further reduce our own and our customers’ environmental footprints.

“We are proud to be part of a global movement to create a more sustainable world and will continue to develop innovative solutions to make a difference.”

In a bid to reach carbon-neutral by 2025, the company has opted to use more sustainable energy. Currently, 95% of the firm’s lighting is supplied by LED lights.

Puratos is also working closely with farmers via agroforestry: planting different tree species, like timber, galip nut or pomelo trees, between the cacao trees and in some cases adding vanilla or pepper plants.

Both Puratos and the farmer benefit from this agricultural model combining shade trees with intercropping. The trees will capture CO2, helping Puratos to achieve its ambitious goal.

Meanwhile, Puratos-owned chocolate brand Belcolade this month unveiled what it described as a ‘first of its kind’ plant-based white couverture.

Belcolade said the new product offers an ’outstanding taste profile and rich, creamy texture and a clean, white chocolate color.

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