Key issues and areas of action
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Focused on responsible growth and long-term impact
Our focus areas reflect AGRANA’s commitment to responsible and future-oriented business. They address the sustainability topics most relevant to our business and stakeholders, with clear priorities and measurable targets to create long-term value for people, business and the environment.
Climate change mitigation and eco-efficiency of AGRANA’s production operations
Climate strategy
Climate protection is a key objective at AGRANA. We are continuously improving our production processes and working across our value chain to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In line with the Paris Agreement, we've set near-term emissions reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Our targets
- Scope 1+2 – our own production: –50% GHG emissions by 2030 (SBTi-validated)
- Scope 3 – our value chain: We evaluate measures to continuously reduce our Scope 3 emissions.
We strive to achieve net-zero in our own operations (Scope 1+2) until 2040 and in our value chain (Scope 3) by 2050.
Reducing emissions from our operations
In the short-term, we focus is on improving energy efficiency and increasing the use of electricity from renewable sources.
In the long term, we progressively replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources.
Key measures include:
- Utilisation of waste heat and other efficiency technologies
- Switch to electricity from renewable sources
- Electrification of heat-based processes, e.g. through the use of vapour recompressors
- Replacing fossil fuels with natural gas as an intermediate step, and then with renewable fuels
Decarbonisation in the upstream and downstream value chain
The majority of our GHG emissions come from upstream agricultural production. This is why our Scope 3 measures focus strongly on agriculture and why we work closely with our farmers and suppliers.
We focus on measures such as:
- low-emission fertilisation and minimum tillage,
- more efficient machinery and agricultural inputs,
- digitalisation and advanced irrigation technology.
- processes for carbon sequestration in soil
Our activities include pilot projects for regenerative fruit cultivation, more resilient apple varieties, collecting primary emissions data from sugar beet and cereal cultivation, and researching low-emission fertilisers and biodegradable mulch films.
Replacement of fossil-based products
We are also working to replace fossil-based raw materials with renewable, bio-based alternatives. This includes the production of bioenergy and bintermediates for the manufacture of bio-based plastics and chemicals (bioethanol).
Water management
Water is a valuable resource. Every drop counts - at AGRANA we make sure of it.
Across our sites, we focus on sustainable water use by minimising withdrawal in water-stress areas, and maximising recycling and recirculation wherever possible.
Circular economy
We focus on using our raw materials almost completely, turning agricultural residues into valuable by-products like animal feed and fertiliser. We also actively reduce waste through the use of recyclable materials, reusable packaging and efficient use of auxiliary materials.
Much of what we deliver to industrial customers already travels in reusable systems, such as bulk trucks and returnable steel containers, and we're working to extend this further. As new EU packaging regulations take shape, we're evaluating packaging materials across the entire Group to find more sustainable alternatives, including a specially developed box made from renewable raw materials, piloted to replace the metal drums traditionally used to transport fruit juice concentrate.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity and agriculture are inseparable. The crops we process are part of a living ecosystem.
What we do, from the field to the factory
Our greatest biodiversity-related impacts and dependencies are linked to agriculture. That's why we focus on working with farmers, suppliers and partners to promote sustainable farming practices that protect biodiversity, maintain healthy soils and support resilient agricultural landscapes. We encourage recognised sustainability standards and programmes, such as the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) of the SAI Platform, across our supply chain.
Beyond agriculture, we also work to better understand and protect biodiversity around our production sites. Through environmental management systems such as ISO 14001, implemented at selected AGRANA sites, we continuously improve our environmental performance and support a systematic approach to managing environmental impacts. At selected Austrian locations, a pilot project uses bats as bioindicators of ecosystem health, providing valuable insights into local biodiversity and environmental quality – data that will support future environmental decisions and strengthen our approach to biodiversity management.
Responsible procurement and sustainable agriculture
Where our raw materials come from matters.
AGRANA principles
for the sourcing of agricultural raw materials and intermediate products
For the raw materials we process, we aim to comply as closely as possible with the requirements of Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and minimum social standards, as set out in the AGRANA Principles for the Procurement of Agricultural Raw Materials and Intermediate Products and the AGRANA Code of Conduct.
AGRANA has internal procedures in place to ensure compliance with Good Agricultural Practice and minimum social standards.
Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI)
Through the SAI Platform's Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA), a detailed questionnaire covering farm management, working conditions, soil health and crop protection, farms receive a sustainability rating from gold to bronze. Existing certifications like Global GAP, Rainforest Alliance or Bonsucro can count towards this rating, reducing duplicate verification work.
Our contract farmers' FSA status is independently re-verified every three years.
Attractive employer and occupational health & safety
AGRANA promotes a safe, inclusive and respectful working environment in which employees can contribute their skills, perspectives and potential to the long-term success of the company. We focuse on occupational health and safety, continuous development, equal opportunities and a corporate culture based on responsibility and collaboration.
For further information please visit our Human Resources page.
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Product safety
Producing safe food and animal feed to the highest standards is a top priority at AGRANA.
As a manufacturer of primary products for the food industry, we rely on comprehensive quality assurance programmes and globally recognised standards such as FSSC 22000, ISO 22000 and IFS to minimise risk and ensure consistent quality.
At AGRANA, the safety of our products is our top priority - especially with regard to sensitive target groups such as infants and young children.
Our goal: protect consumers health and strengthen long-term trust in AGRANA.
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Governance and compliance
Governance and compliance are core to sustainability at AGRANA – and the basis for every business decision we make.
Governance and compliance are key elements of sustainability at AGRANA and the basis for every business decision we make.
Our suppliers and business partners are required to comply with our Code of Conduct. Our supply contracts include risk-based clauses on environmental, labour and human rights standards, which are made legally binding through our General Terms and Conditions.
Human rights
Respecting human rights is both a legal obligation and a fundamental part of our corporate responsibility. Our Declaration of Principles on Human Rights reflects this commitment across AGRANA and throughout our supply chain, in line with.
- UN Universal Declaration of Human Right
- UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Right
- ILO core labour standards
- OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
- UN Global Compact principles
- SEDEX regulations
We further underlined this commitment by joining the UN Global Compact in 2021|22 – the world's largest initiative for responsible corporate governance.