The future of the food industry: 50% of companies aim to implement sustainable solutions – Tetra Pak survey results

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 12. 18. 12:45

Food production continues to rely on energy-intensive processes and fossil fuels, presenting new challenges for producers. The pressure to optimise the production processes of raw materials, energy and water, as well as packaging materials, is accompanied by rising operating costs, including CO2 emissions charges and water waste. As a result, food manufacturers are increasingly implementing sustainable solutions in all areas of their operations.

The Tetra Pak survey reveals a significant shift in the food industry’s approach to change. For half of the companies surveyed, increasing consumer expectations are driving the introduction of sustainable practices in production and processing. Purchasing decisions play a key role in this: 74% of consumers are willing to prefer products that come from environmentally conscious companies. This highlights that the shift to more sustainable processes and products is not just a response to trends, but a response to a clear market signal. However, a critical challenge remains: how can modern manufacturing solutions simultaneously reduce costs for food producers, thereby encouraging the industry to implement these changes.

Sustainability: Balancing optimization and cost reduction

Manufacturers highlight three key sustainability areas that influence their business strategy: reducing CO2 emissions and minimizing the use of limited resources such as fossil fuel-based energy, water and cleaning agents essential for food safety.

Laurentiu Boncica, Director of Processing Solutions Eastern Europe at Tetra Pak, says: “We see that the focus of food manufacturers has gradually shifted over time. Today, the focus of our discussions with food processing companies is on achieving operational savings. The development of existing production lines has become a priority, as even targeted modifications to production processes can lead to significant cost reductions and ensure the efficient use of resources in line with sustainability goals.”