Next generation sustainability

摘要

According to the results of a major sector study from the ADM group, a majority of consumers (65%) are reportedly seeking to have a positive impact on the environment through their everyday actions. Significantly, this translated into around one-third of shoppers seeking out sustainably produced items including confectionery, bakery and snacks ranges, which appears to be an increasing trend. Linked to this is a growing collective awareness of environmental impact, and this in turn has prompted companies -including industrial machinery producers - to demonstrate their commitment to the cause of doing their part for energy efficiency and reducing waste. There have been a number of examples within finished product categories of companies moving towards sustainability, including pladis recently pledging to remove black plastics from its UK biscuit ranges (saving 80 million trays from landfill), through to Nestle's move in January removing plastic from a total of 250 million Smarties packs. Significantly, a further study from industry organisation Make UK and energy firm E.ON last year found the manufacturers that have prioritised sustainability measures have seen a 40 per cent increase in profit margins, and 30 per cent increased competitiveness levels. This has been linked to wider net- zero 2050 emissions goals for industry, which have prompted considerable responses from machinery suppliers in the sector.