Major sustainability gains scored by Netherlands’ GNT colouring foods
GNT's headquarters in Mierlo, Netherlands. Pic: GNT
Netherlands-based colouring food group, GNT, has achieved a major milestone in being over halfway to its core mission of reducing carbon emissions at its Exberry factories, writes Neil Barston.
The business, which has a strong foundation on sustainability values, has continued to devise new initiatives for the confectionery, bakery and snacks sectors that has seen its applications perform strongly around the world.
As the company reported, based on sales volumes, it has cut carbon emissions at its production sites in the Netherlands, Germany, and United States by 26% between 2020 and 2024. This achievement is particularly significant in light of the company’s growth during the same period.
Significantly, as the the company confirmed, global sales for plant-based Exberry colours have increased more than 50% since 2020. Under normal circumstances, such growth would have driven a substantial increase in total carbon emissions due to increased production demands. However, by improving efficiency and investing in sustainable technologies, GNT has been able to keep overall emissions in check.
GNT’s new sustainability report reveals there has been strong progress toward many of the 17 sustainability targets it is working to achieve by 2030. This has included uprating its water efficiency by 30% compared to five years ago, surpassing its target by 10%.
Furthermore, the company is also committed to ensuring every contract farmer growing fruits, vegetables, and plants for Exberry colours enrolls in sustainable agriculture training programs. By the end of 2024, 80% had achieved the level of FSA (Farm Sustainability Assessment) Silver or Gold.
In addition to its environmental aims, GNT’s targets include measures to benefit people throughout the product’s core value chain. In 2024, the lost-time accident rate at the factories fell to 25% below the industry average. The company also helped organize a three-day leadership training program in Peru as part of its commitment to supporting social livelihood projects in its sourcing areas.
Hendrik Hoeck, CEO at GNT Group, said: “We are proud to say that we are still delivering on our ambitious plans to protect people and planet while achieving significant global growth. Our 2024 report underlines our continued determination to lead the food colouring industry on sustainability and ensure that GNT is in a position to thrive for generations to come.”
Notably, the business GNT secured an EcoVadis gold medal last year for its environmental and ethical activities, with its score placing the company among the top 3% in the food manufacturing industry.
It is now working on plans to go even further in 2025. With GNT on track to meet its CO2 targets at its factories, the top priority going forward is to reduce indirect emissions from throughout its wider value chain. In line with its commitment to transparency, GNT secures independent verification for its emissions data. It also offers its customers Product Environmental Footprint information across scopes 1, 2, and 3 for its key colour series.
Rutger de Kort, Sustainability Manager at GNT Group, added: “We have made excellent progress at our production sites and now need to work with our suppliers to achieve reductions in other areas. This is more challenging as these emissions are outside our direct control, but our closely managed supply chain gives us a real advantage and we are developing plans to address the biggest hotspots.”
He added: “Trust is hugely important to us. This is why we publish independently audited Greenhouse Gas Verification Statements and provide our customers with the data they need to make informed decisions about how to optimize their recipes.”
