< Previous40 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net ENVIRONMENTAL SPOTLIGHT W e have already made great strides in combating climate change, both for ourselves and the wellbeing of our world as we know it. For the world is what is ultimately at stake. In 2019, this urgent cause spurred our country to make the goal of net zero emissions a matter of law for all business and industry sectors. The UK was the world’s first major economy to make this important pledge. This commitment fell in line with the Paris Agreement, an international treaty against the many negative impacts of climate change. Discussed at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, it was put into action in November 2016. Since then, the global community has been racing to reach the zero-emissions target and checking in with the annual COP events. Our food and drink industry has a great deal of heavy lifting to do in this matter; it was found in 2019 that the UK’s food systems contributed to around 35% of territorial greenhouse gas emissions. This means the food and drink industry adds up to 17% of our country’s carbon footprint. Globally this threat to our climate remains constant, with the food industry as a whole pushing out 25-30% of the greenhouse gases polluting our planet’s ecosystem. And Mother Earth is not the only one at risk – this danger is one faced by every living thing on it, including us. Up until now, the global food system has enjoyed a steady increase in output, despite our rapidly growing population. If climate change is allowed to continue, driven on ever faster by a thriving humanity that needs more food (and more industrial food production), this reliable increase will begin to collapse and fall. Pollution, and the sometimes extreme weather shifts it causes, are already causing food crops to fail. The irony is that these failures and subsequent shortages are caused in part by the farming industry itself, which currently contributes 10-12% of worldwide carbon emissions. These surpass even the damage done by land use changes such as deforestation (8- 10%) or manufacturing and transport (5- 10%). The food and drink industry must pull its weight in achieving net zero by mid-century. As of 2021, the Food & Drink Federation (FDF) has committed to hitting this target by 2040, a good decade ahead of deadline. The FDF states that this goal “will require a rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, with any unavoidable emissions negated through carbon offsets.” It’s all well saying we need to reach net zero for the survival of our planet, and our The race to net zero from farm to fork When it comes to combatting the climate crisis and hitting net zero, the food and drink industry has a lot of heavy lifting to do. However, it has the size and scale to make a transformative impact. 42 Á 40-43.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:13 Page 1Food & Drink International 41 www.fdiforum.net ENVIRONMENTAL SPOTLIGHT © stock.adobe.com/lovelyday12 40-43.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:13 Page 242 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net ENVIRONMENTAL SPOTLIGHT future on it. The question the industry is trying to answer now is how – what are the steps we must put in place to achieve this goal? First and foremost, to achieve the Paris Agreement’s goal of reducing global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, it’s clear that we need to think from the ground up – quite literally. Remember those farming emissions? Raw ingredients contribute to the majority of these carbon percentages, whether they are animal- or plant-based. A global study examined sixteen animal products and 171 plant crops for their carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide emissions, using data from 2010. It was found that while beef farming caused the most animal emissions – industrial cow farming being by now an infamous greenhouse gas contributor – rice had the highest emissions of the plant-based study group. While the UK is far from being renowned for rice farming, it’s important to be wary of the carbon levels produced by crops as well as livestock. Read up on your raw ingredients, and if necessary, consider lower-carbon alternatives. This must also be taken into account when reformulating products, removing high-carbon ingredients at every stage along the production line. Low-carbon attitudes to farming must be made a habit anywhere possible, from farm machinery to how livestock, crops and food products are transported. One reliable tip is to give back to the earth whenever we take away. The eco- conscious movement to plant new trees and greenery is already helping to heal the harm done by greenhouse gas pollution. This small act has numerous benefits, beyond simply neutralising carbon in our atmosphere and replacing trees taken for purposes such as packaging production. It restores habitats, supports and increases biodiversity, and helps maintain the cleanliness of water that would otherwise have absorbed more harmful chemicals from the atmosphere. On top of all that, replanting provides barriers against flooding, reducing damage to industrial and residential areas from another widespread symptom of climate change. The quest for net zero goes far beyond grassroots, extending all the way up to the top of the value chain. Since the FDF pledged its Net Zero by 2040 Ambition, business can only be considered good if upper-level decisions and marketing operate from an eco-warrior’s standpoint. Consumers must be encouraged to choose foods and eating habits which contribute to decarbonisation. Opting for fruit, vegetables, whole grains and pulses over a carnivore’s diet is no longer just the healthy choice for humans; it’s the forward-thinking decision to preserve our planet’s health. Packaging should be labelled with carbon footprint information, while advertising should back climate and personal health, to show the reality that everyone, business and consumer, is in control in this push for change. Even at the manufacturing level, where emissions are at the lowest, all care must be taken. FDF guidelines say that energy efficiency needs to be improved in factories, refrigeration and transport solutions. This calls for sustainable refrigerants and 100% renewable power sources across the board. Thought must also be put into the decarbonisation of heat processes, a key concern for the FDF, which in 2020 published a detailed report on how businesses can realistically achieve this. Food and drink businesses across the UK are responding to the call for eco-friendly action in their droves. The Race to Zero campaign counts well-known brands like Nestlé, Innocent, McCain and more among its recruits, and all major supermarkets are now pledged to reach net zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040. The remaining factor, namely the need to decarbonise consumer goods, is being met by most of these big names, working towards goals such as carbon-neutral farms for the supply of fresh British produce. Promises like these increase consumer satisfaction, and attract new customers who are increasingly aware of the need for meaningful change. The benefits of reduced energy costs and brand innovation are simply added bonuses, bringing more businesses on board. The attraction is having its desired effect - the food and drink industry has already reduced its onsite carbon emissions by 55%, five years ahead of the FDF Ambition’s 2025 schedule. The battle against climate change continues, but the more businesses work together, the greater leaps towards net zero we can make as a country. 40-43.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:13 Page 3Food & Drink International 43 www.fdiforum.net ENVIRONMENTAL SPOTLIGHT © stock.adobe.com/panaramka 40-43.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:13 Page 444 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net VOG PRODUCTS S ustainability is firmly embedded in the strategy of VOG Products. A prestigious recognition has confirmed that the company actively implements sustainability in the entire production process: EcoVadis, the world’s most reliable provider of sustainability ratings for global supply chains, rewarded the effort of VOG Products with a silver medal a few weeks ago. “We are proud to have received this honour, which at the same time is an important signal to our customers and consumers in turn: we offer safe, sustainable and high-quality products,” said Christoph Tappeiner, the CEO of VOG Products. The silver status means that VOG Products is among the top 25 per cent of all companies rated. The EcoVadis rating looks at environmental aspects, as well as employment and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. “The silver medal is an incentive for us to keep improving,” added Tappeiner. Two years ago, VOG Products passed the «GLOBAL G.A.P. Farm Sustainability Assessment» with the FSA Gold label and since then, has systematically taken next steps. For example, VOG Products invested in the continuous development of its own photovoltaic system and now obtains 100 per cent of its power from renewable energy. “We calculated our corporate carbon footprint and verify it every year. By doing so, we can systematically implement measures to increase energy efficiency and further lower our CO2 emissions,” said CEO Tappeiner. From the field to processing: saving water at all levels Water is a special focus of VOG Products: with the “Cooling water optimisation” project, the company saved as much water in 2022 as 15,000 people consume in one year – by using the same water twice as cooling water and as transport water. Water is not only saved on the company grounds in Laives, but also along the VOG Products supply chain. “Through our members, we have close ties to the fruit growers in South Tyrol: via the cooperatives, they are the actual supplies of our raw goods,” explained Tappeiner. For example, the Laimburg Research Centre collaborated with the Südtiroler Beratungsring, the local centre of consultancy, to develop “Smart Land”, a system that uses high-quality sensor technology to measure soil moisture in the field and connect it to current weather and temperature data. With a full-coverage radio network and an app, the measured data is transmitted in real time to farmers, who use it for the needs-orientated watering of the fruit orchards. With “Smart Land”, water savings of up to 50 per cent can be achieved. Sustainability: VOG Products received EcoVadis Silver Medal VOG Products, the innovative fruit processing company from South Tyrol, has received the silver medal from EcoVadis. This puts the producer organisation among the top 25 per cent of all companies rated. The company’s water conservation efforts are a fine example of the way it has implemented sustainability. Tel: +39 0471 592311 info@vog-products.it www.vog-products.it 44.qxp_Layout 1 27/09/2022 09:12 Page 1Food & Drink International 45 www.fdiforum.net ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION Robotics and Automation is a free exhibition and conference, taking place on November 1st and 2nd at the Coventry Building Society Arena, where you can discover how the latest robotics, automation and future technologies can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and give you competitive advantage. You can meet 100+ industry-leading exhibitors, including robot manufacturers, system integrators and experts in automation and machine vision. Exhibitors include Mitsubishi Electric, Wise Robotics, Beckhoff, Hai Robotics and more… Discover how the latest technology can be applied to your operations to provide improvements in productivity and accuracy. Products include Robots, Automated Assembly Machines, Parts Handling Equipment, Conveyors and more! You will also get the chance to watch live demonstrations of the latest solutions taking place, so you can get first-hand insight into how they work in practice. Alongside the exhibition, the Robotics and Automation Conference allows you to hear directly from the minds behind the latest technology. Speakers include Jaguar Land Rover, Royal Mail, The Co-op and more! Companies sending visitors include Rolls-Royce, Del Monte, Evri, BAE Systems, XPO Logistics and more... Other sectors in the visitor base include Distribution, Warehousing and Pharmaceuticals, with a mix of senior level decision-makers. So, as well as meeting the exhibitors, you can network with 1000+ peers! All the companies you need to talk to are gathered in one venue, you do not want to miss this opportunity! Register free for this unmissable event www.roboticsandautomation.co.uk Robotics and Automation is the UK’s largest dedicated robotics and automation show! 45.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:14 Page 146 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net GULFOOD MANUFACTURING T aking place from 8 - 10 November 2022 at Dubai World Trade Centre, Gulfood Manufacturing is a global platform for the industry to learn, engage and present their products, services, and solutions focused on moving the food manufacturing industry forward toward a more sustainable, resilient, agile and efficient future. Gulfood Manufacturing 2022 is set to unveil the next era of food manufacturing including new ingredients and advanced technologies that will enable businesses to reduce costs, grow and innovate. Don’t miss the chance to see all the megatrends and innovations of 2022, first hand, across five event sectors: Ingredients, Processing, Packaging, Supply Chain Solutions and Control & Automation. Allowing the industry the opportunity to connect, learn, engage and move food & beverage manufacturing to a more sustainable, resilient, agile and efficient future. Gulfood Manufacturing will be the convening platform for the industry, as it addresses optimizing operational efficiency, driving responsible sourcing with traceable supply chains, navigating entry barriers in new markets, adopting sustainable practices, and generating new funding sources. GULFOOD MANUFACTURING On the 8-10th November, Gulfood Manufacturing will open its doors to over 36,000 guests looking to target, do business or whom are currently doing business in the UAE region. 46-47.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:18 Page 1Food & Drink International 47 www.fdiforum.net GULFOOD MANUFACTURING Over 1,600 exhibitors from over 60 countries will be attending the show this year, set over 21 halls in a new layout designed to make sourcing the right kind of business easier than ever. With opportunities to network with a staggering 36,000+ industry professionals, and to target the ever-growing UAE region, the show is not one to miss. On top of that, over 50 specialists will be speaking at the event on a wide range of topics. Silverson Machines at Gulfood Manufacturing 2022 This year at Gulfood Manufacturing you can find Silverson Machines on stand S-L3 in the Trade Centre Arena. On the Silverson stand will be a range of high shear mixing equipment, from smaller-scale Laboratory mixers to full scale production mixers such as the Flashmix powder/liquid mixer. As well as the Flashmix, this year visitors to the stand will be able to see working examples of the Silverson Batch, Ultramix and Laboratory mixers including the Verso-UHS-HV. The Verso-UHS-HV is a bench top In-Line mixer designed for mixing high viscosity products. It incorporates the same unique and innovative ‘pumping rotor’ design as the production scale UHS-HV In-Line mixers. This substantially increases its self- pumping capacity, allowing it to process products such as gels, creams, sauces and gum solutions on a laboratory scale. If you’d like to discuss your mixing application visit Silverson Machines in the Trade Centre Arena on stand S-L3. Tel: 01494 786331 Web: www.silverson.co.uk Email: sales@silverson.co.uk Stand: S-L3 46-47.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:18 Page 248 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net EASYFAIRS LAB INNOVATIONS Taking place on the 2-3 of November at the NEC Birmingham, LAB Innovations features over 3,100 decision makers and over 160 lab suppliers and manufacturers. L AB Innovations is the UK’s leading annual trade exhibition dedicated to the entire laboratory industry, uniting laboratory decision makers with laboratory suppliers and manufacturers across all sectors. Visitors to the show can source innovative new technologies, network with peers and earn CPD points in the free-to-attend conference programme. Supported by some of the UK’s top science institutions, it is a key event for powering the business of science. For those looking to source new technologies, future-proof any laboratory, and learn how to keep laboratory procurement sustainable – this is a must-attend event! LAB Innovations offers a range of show features, networking events and free-to-attend conferences to maximise time out of the lab. The events taking place at LAB Innovations will help visitors build connections, get tailored advice from industry experts and learn about sustainable initiatives in the lab. Visit the Sustainable Laboratory to discover environmentally friendly products and cutting-edge case studies of sustainable initiatives in the lab. On both days organiser, Andy Evans of Easyfairs LAB Innovations 48-49.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:19 Page 1Food & Drink International 49 www.fdiforum.net EASYFAIRS LAB INNOVATIONS Green Light Laboratories will host tours on his stand and speak in the Insights and Innovation Theatre. Wind down and network the evening away at our networking drinks on 2 November. Head to the VIP Lounge, sponsored by Analytix, after the Lab Awards to pick up complimentary drinks. Meet in the Business and Hospitality Lounge to join our guided hourly tours to find out about the most innovative products at the show. Last year Shimadzu, A&D Instruments, Appleton Woods and more showcased their most innovative products. This year the Lab Awards return to the VIP lounge on 2 November, 3pm. Celebrate the achievements in sustainability, innovation, training and more in this afternoon ceremony. For more information or to book to register, visit www.lab-innovations.com AstellBio Following their success at the 2021 Laboratory Innovations Show, Astell will be exhibiting on the Scientific Laboratory Supplies stand (J40) once again. Established in 1884, Astell Scientific are steam sterilization experts, manufacturing and supplying autoclaves globally. With a wide range of highly customisable autoclaves, Astell provides sterilisers precisely outfitted to the users’ requirements. Astell imparts expertise to AstellBio – the Thermal Effluent Decontamination System (EDS) company. After developing devices to sterilise thousands of litres of liquid in a single batch, AstellBio have miniaturised their technology to create the AstellBio Sink – a dedicated liquid waste autoclave that uses half the energy of a traditional steam steriliser, and processes nine litres in just 45 minutes. What is more, the AstellBio Sink is easy to use – just pour in the waste and walk away, the unit automatically handles the rest. Tel: 020 8309 2031 Web: www.astell.com / www.astellbio.com Email: sales@astell.com Stand: J40 48-49.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:19 Page 2Next >