• A study conducted by the Tetra Pak company, a global leader in food processing and packaging production, shows that half of the producers in the food industry implement sustainable solutions in all areas of their activity.
Food production is based on activities and technological processes that consume large amounts of energy and fossil fuels, which creates new challenges for producers. The growing pressure to make resources such as raw materials, energy or water more efficient, as well as to optimize packaging production, overlaps with rising operational costs, including rising prices for raw materials, carbon taxes and waste. water. Therefore, manufacturers in the food industry are increasingly moving towards the implementation of sustainable solutions in all areas of their activity.
The new study by Tetra Pak highlights the significant changes in the way the food industry approaches this transformation.
For half of the participating companies, increasing consumer expectations drive the implementation of sustainable practices in food production and processing. Final purchase decisions play an essential role, almost three quarters of consumers (74%) being willing to choose products from environmentally responsible companies. This shows that the shift to sustainable processes and products is not just a response to trends, but a reaction to obvious changes in the market. The major challenge lies in implementing modern, low-cost processing solutions for food manufacturers to encourage the sector to adopt these changes.
Sustainability: A balance between efficiency and cost reduction
Of the three main areas of sustainability that influence companies' business strategies, food producers focus on the need reducing carbon emissions and consumption of limited resources – like fossil fuel energy, water and essential detergents to ensure food safety.
"I have noticed that, over time, food producers have gradually changed their objective. Our discussions with food companies are currently focused on identifying opportunities to reduce operational costs. Optimizing existing production lines has become a priority, as even spot adjustments in production processes can generate significant cost reductions and ensure efficient use of resources, aligned with sustainability goals.” declare Laurentiu Boncică, Director for processing solutions, Eastern Europe, at Tetra Pak.
Continuous evolution in the food industry
The path to sustainability in food production involves innovation and modernization of technological processes. 65% of industry leaders emphasize the importance of state-of-the-art solutions in reducing the carbon footprint of food systems. "At Tetra Pak, we invest considerable resources in the research and development of innovative solutions for food production, supporting our partners in optimizing their operations. These efforts led to the implementation of production lines that became examples
of good practices, designed specifically to reduce water consumption, CO2 emissions and waste of raw materials," Laurentiu Boncică further explains. At the same time, he emphasizes that the modernization of even a single component of production equipment can have a significant impact, contributing to the reduction of the consumption of used resources and operational costs.
"A concrete example is the Tetra Pak® Tubular Heat Exchanger, which uses the P2P (product-to-product) thermal regeneration system. This technology can significantly reduce energy costs by up to 55% compared to conventional water recirculation systems. In addition, it also reduces steam and cold water consumption, thus contributing to increased energy efficiency and improved operational sustainability." stands up Laurentiu Boncică, Director for processing solutions, Eastern Europe, at Tetra Pak.
Sustainable solutions transform the entire production process
The Tetra Pak expert points out that solutions focused on sustainability can go beyond simply improving individual components, having the potential to transform the entire production process. For companies pursuing large-scale optimization, these integrated strategies increase efficiency in resource management.
A concrete example is provided by the dairy industry, where, by simplifying the production process and reducing the number of milk processing stages, high temperature lines (UHT) equipped with OneStep technology revolutionizes the entire dairy production. The results are eloquent. Water consumption is reduced by up to 35% and energy consumption is reduced by 44% compared to conventional UHT lines. This technology significantly contributes to reducing the impact on the environment, but also the operational costs, reducing heat consumption by up to 29% and carbon emissions by up to 36%. Therefore, it represents an essential solution for achieving sustainability goals in the dairy industry.
Act today for a better future
The sustainable transformation of the food industry is not just a response to consumer trends, but a strategic initiative for innovation and long-term stability. In the context of growing awareness, food manufacturers around the world are adopting innovations that improve their business performance, but at the same time help protect the planet. These actions, in accordance with the principles of the circular economy and waste reduction, lead to the formation of new business models that conserve natural resources, strengthening, at the same time, consumer confidence. Commitment to sustainability is increasingly becoming a competitive advantage, encouraging companies to constantly seek new technological and operational solutions. Therefore, the food industry is not only adapting to a changing environment, but actively shaping its future, generating added value that goes beyond traditional approaches to food production and distribution.
Research methodology conducted by Tetra Pak
Tetra Pak's study on global challenges and their impact on food and beverage manufacturers focuses on the key environmental issues affecting manufacturers and retailers today. The study examines current and future actions to address these challenges, as well as expectations for food processing and packaging service providers, in the context of the global effort to limit global warming below 2°C.
The research used a mixed methodology, integrating both quantitative panel surveys and qualitative insights from expert interviews. Approximately 20 internal interviews with Tetra Pak experts were conducted, supplemented by 12 interviews with food and beverage manufacturers in key regions. Quantitatively, the study included 346 interviews conducted in 2023, covering 19 markets: Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, South Korea , Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA, Vietnam and Italy.
Tetra Pak's latest 2023 consumer study focused on sustainable packaging comprised 14.500 online questionnaire-based interviews conducted in 29 markets: Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Colombia, Denmark , Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Holland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA, Philippines and Vietnam. The sample included persons at least 18 years of age, nationally representative by gender, age and geography.
Tetra pak
Tetra Pak is a global leader in food processing and packaging production. Working with our customers and suppliers, we ensure daily access to safe and nutritious food for millions of people in more than 160 countries around the world.
With more than 24.000 employees, we are dedicated to ensuring food safety and accessibility globally, while delivering on our promise to protect what is valuable: food, people and the planet.
For more information about Tetra Pak, visit the website: www.tetrapak.com.
Article source: Press Release
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