Unigrà

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SUSTAINABILITY

We work to achieve better performances, including those for the environment.

We believe in sustainability, in the duty of a company to maintain a balance with the system in which it is positioned and the need to promote an economy based on knowledge and innovation.

For this reason, since 2007 we have carried out an analysis to accurately determine our impact on the environment and we are committed to implementing actions to mitigate this impact, especially for emissions in the atmosphere; efficiency in the use of energy, water and primary ingredients; the production of renewable energy and waste management. This process led to us obtaining the UNI EN ISO 14001 certification.

9 key points were drawn from this awareness on which the company bases its strategy for sustainability:

  • 1

    To operate in compliance with the environmental laws and regulations currently in force and with any other requirements voluntarily adhered to.

    We adhere strictly to the regulations; we self-discipline to improve every day; we respond; we question ourselves and interact with representatives of the local communities who live near our factories.
  • 2
    To prevent pollution through the empowerment and involvement of our employees and suppliers as well.
    One of our fundamental values is our approach towards safeguarding the environment. We pursue this value, not just through education and awareness of the topic, but by also choosing suppliers who share the same principles.
  • 3

    To pursue continuous improvement of environmental performance by identifying, updating and periodic evaluation of environmental aspects.

    We move on more than one front: from the in-house creation of processes for renewable energy to the preference for suppliers located directly in the countries where the raw materials are sourced to avoid the step with European intermediaries.
  • 4
    To optimise the use of natural resources with particular focus on water.
    We have always tried to reduce waste in our operations, and over the last two years for same level of production, we have recorded a 25% reduction in the consumption of water, by reusing it and by maintaining and optimising our production facilities.
  • 5

    To limit CO2 emissions.

    We use greenhouse gas (GHG) emission indicators to assess the impacts of our processes and limit emissions through the rationalisation of our activities and our production plants.
  • 6
    To contribute to the production of "green" electricity by using renewable sources as well
    We use liquid vegetable biomasses, mostly from the residue of our production facilities, to produce clean energy to feed into the Italian electricity grid, thus contributing to the achievement of the goals for Italy in the EC Action Plan.
  • 7

    To aim for excellence by closely monitoring the production and consumption of electricity.

    We process and transform raw materials, so we carefully and systematically monitor our performance in terms of energy consumption and the plants producing the energy.
  • 8
    To encourage selective waste collection
    We aim to continuously increase the percentage of selective waste collection and recovery. Furthermore, important partnerships with the Department of Materials Engineering of the University of Bologna (DICAM) are under way, involving projects for reusing waste materials in construction and road building.
  • 9

    To promote the use of sustainable palm oil and cocoa

    We believe in social responsibility by striving to develop and produce products that are healthy, conform to the requirements laid down by the laws in force, which have a verified origin, are hygienically safe, meeting the required characteristics and ensure product quality. In line with this approach, Unigrà mainly uses sustainable palm oil and has received UTZ certification for cocoa, which ensures control over the entire supply chain and helps develop the best farming methods and improves the conditions of workers and their families, in full respect of environmental protection.
    Responsible & Sustainable Palm Oil Unigrà Policy

Sustainability in the entire production process

For a complex business like ours, adhering to a tangible model of sustainability means covering all the angles of the entire production cycle with a view to caring for the environment. This is why at every stage we have identified conscious choices, targeted actions and procedures, as well as innovative technology.

  • Upstream supply chain - sustainability of raw materials

    As far as raw materials are concerned, our basic principle is that the procurement is carried out in respect of ethical and environmental principles.

    For this reason, we have obtained UTZ certification for cocoa and RSPO sustainability certification for palm oil for use in food. We have also adopted both the voluntary German scheme (ISCC-EU) and the Italian national sustainability scheme (SNC) for palm oil for energy use.

  • Upstream supply chain - procurement

    The raw materials that we import are unloaded in the port of Ravenna which is near to the factory and so cuts out a long haul by lorry. In the future, additional road transport will also be reduced by using a dedicated rail connection.

  • Production - circular economy

    In our factories, all the by-products generated by the process are exploited to the full to produce our own energy, supply products for use as fodder or for the  technical oil industry.

    We have two important energy plants: a bioliquid power plant and biogas power plant which produce green/renewable energy. All the activities carried out in the power plants and food factory are certified ISO 14001 and the conditions of the facility are periodically checked by external organisations.

  • Downstream supply chain - waste disposal

    In addition to an ongoing increase in separate waste collection, which is sent to externally managed recycling plants, we constantly invest in research to find new solutions. We are studying new plants to further reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.