Five sustainability focus areas
We have defined five sustainability focus areas – the
“pillars” – that are important to our business. They
provide an overview and guide us in setting objectives
and focus our resources. The five focus areas are: Our
Customers, Our Suppliers, Our Planet, Our People, and
Our Neighbours.
Our Customers
Our Customers covers all areas in which we
interact with customers. It includes products,
product development, food safety, product
information, and market communication. Interaction
with customers is based on sound business ethics
and a deep understanding of the company’s responsibility
32
for safeguarding customer brands.
Our Suppliers
This area covers activities related to the
sourcing of raw materials that we use.
Sustainable sourcing is the backbone of
AAK’s business and a key element in our strategy.
To obtain the right raw materials is essential but we
place equal emphasis on how they are produced.
For this reason, we have implemented a Code of
Conduct for Suppliers of Raw Materials that applies
to all actors in the supply chain.
Our Planet
Our Planet covers our impact on the environment
in terms of resource consumption
and emissions from our production plants. It
is a top priority for us to minimize our use of natural
resources and emissions per processed product
even though our stronger focus on more refined
products drives a higher degree of processing. All
production sites are required to continuously work to
improve their respective environmental footprints as
well as get new acquired plants on track with AAK
standards.
Our People
This focus area is about working life at AAK
– how to remain an attractive workplace and
assure a healthy, equal and safe workplace.
Our employees are our most important resource.
AAK is a diverse company with employees from
many parts of the world and with many different job
functions. Common to every employee is our values
and our Group Code of Conduct. These govern the
way our business is conducted and how employees
interact with each other and AAK’s stakeholders.
Our Neighbours
This focus area covers activities that we
initiate and engage in – be they local,
regional, national or international – to be a
part of and act responsibly in society. Contributing
to and being part of the communities in which we
operate are essential for maintaining a positive relationship
with neighbours, politicians and authorities.
Through a commitment to community causes, AAK is
also instrumental in creating a workplace with highly
motivated employees who are proud of representing
a company that makes a noticeable difference.