Colouring foods business GNT has celebrated as being among the first businesses in the world to have its Product Carbon Footprint (PCF), methodology independently verified against ISO Standards, reports Neill Barston.

The Netherlands-headquartered business has continued to offer its core solutions with strong application for the confectionery and snacking categories, has made notable gains with its plant-based formulations that have responded to growing market demand for natural solutions.

GNT has become one of the first food color manufacturers worldwide to have its Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) methodology independently verified in line with the ISO standard.

As the company noted, the PCF calculations account for the total greenhouse gas emissions produced across the entire lifecycle of each Exberry coloring ingredient, including agriculture, energy use during production, and transportation.

The business noted that gaining ISO (International organisation of standardisation), certification is particularly valuable in the company being able to assert its clean-label credentials.

Significantly, TÜV SÜD, a leading global supplier of testing and certification services, has now confirmed that the cradle-to-gate methodology GNT uses to calculate Exberry PCF figures aligns with the requirements of ISO 14067.

Moreover, gaining this status offers brands operating with our sectors of confectionery, snacks and bakery, measurable and credible information for sustainability reporting – which is becoming ever-more vital in an era of greater regulation across Europe and wider markets. 

Notably, GNT creates Exberry colors from non-GMO fruits, vegetables, and plants. Due to its closely managed supply chain, the company already has a corporate carbon footprint verification in line with the GHG Protocol that covers every stage of color production (scopes 1 to 3).

Petra Thiele, Managing Director at GNT Group, said: “GNT is committed to the highest sustainability standards, and transparency and trust are a vital part of that. This important milestone now ensures our customers can rely on carbon footprint data that has been independently verified against the ISO standard.”

The company’s latest achievement comes on top of its EcoVadis Platinum award for its own sustainability ratings, which place it in the top 1% of manufacturers in the sector.

GNT’s Senior Sustainability Specialist, Akshat Rawat, added: “We’ve made it our mission to produce plant-based ingredients that drive a healthier future for people and planet. We work closely with our customers on their decarbonization journeys, and our verified PCF data gives them the information they need to maximize product sustainability.”

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