Katjes gets better and better: first all plant-based, now carbon-neutral.

Reducing and offsetting greenhouse gas emissions for more sustainability

Emmerich, 3 February 2020 – Following on from its introduction of ‘100% all plant-based fruit gums and liquorice and the launch of Chocjes, the first vegan chocolate to be made with oat milk, Katjes has taken yet another leap forwards towards more sustainability. In 2020, the manufacturer of delicious fruit gums achieved carbon neutrality in all its production sites for the first time – by supporting certified climate protection projects.

Reaffirming its pioneering role, Katjes is one of the first companies in the industry to voluntarily offset its emissions in line with the targets of the Kyoto Protocol. Katjes first gained a reputation with retailers and consumers as a trailblazer for sustainable, vegetarian products when it transitioned four years ago to a completely vegetarian product range. Thanks to its decision not to use any animal gelatine, the sweets manufacturer was able to reduce its carbon emissions for single products by up to 20%.

Climate protection projects: fewer greenhouse gas emissions, a positive impact on society

In order to offset the greenhouse gases emitted during production, Katjes began by asking experts from ‘Fokus Zukunft’ to calculate the company’s carbon footprint in line with GHG standards (Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standards). At the end of 2019, Katjes then began to support four different projects that help to reduce greenhouse gases around the globe.

The first is a biomass project in Raipur, India, which uses rice bowls to generate electricity in a carbon-neutral process. The second and third projects, based in Kenya and Rwanda, provide locals with efficient stoves to reduce the amount of firewood used to cook meals, while the final project protects forests in the south-east of Peru. The Peruvian project protects the rich biodiversity in around 600,000 hectares of primary rainforest in the Amazonas, and also supports sustainable cocoa plantations to improve the quality of the soil. The organic cocoa plantations here are certified to Fair Trade standards, giving farmers access to expertise as well as to economically viable farming methods that benefit entire families.

Katjes’ climate protection projects meet strict, officially recognised standards. The projects in Asia and Africa are certified as ‘Gold Standard’ which was developed jointly with the WWF. This certification guarantees that a project is ecologically sustainable and improves living conditions for the local people in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The forest protection project is VCS-certified (Verified Carbon Standard) and has been classed as CCBS Gold Level. This certification is awarded to projects that positively impact the climate, biodiversity and social welfare in the respective region.

Voluntary commitment to climate protection

Offsetting greenhouse gas emissions by supporting certified projects is just one way in which Katjes engages in climate protection as part of its sustainability strategy. The company has been working steadily since 2012 to reduce its carbon footprint and avoid emissions where possible.

For example, Katjes has installed modern cooling technology and generates electricity in its own cogeneration power plant. During the first four years of the project, Katjes was able to reduce its carbon footprint by 28% after transitioning to green electricity. By 2030, Katjes aims to halve its production-related greenhouse gas emissions. The sweets manufacturer from the Lower Rhine region of Germany plans to invest in new, environmentally friendly technology that will help to increase energy-efficiency and further reduce its emissions. Katjes uses an energy management system which is certified to ISO 50001 standards in order to achieve this target.

Plans to do more for climate protection

The sweets manufacturer has joined the Alliance for Development and Climate. This is an alliance of companies, organisations, authorities, carbon offset traders and civilians who have voluntarily committed themselves to implementing the global sustainability targets and the Paris Agreement. The alliance was initiated by the BMZ (Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development). ‘As we take this step, we see ourselves as role models. We want to inspire others to engage with climate protection too,’ says Bastian Fassin, Managing Shareholder of Katjes. As CEO of the company, he explains, ‘We’ve realised that the measures we’re currently taking to avoid and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions won’t be enough to undercut the two-degree target. But when it comes to climate protection, we can’t waste any more time, which is why Katjes is prioritising work on additional measures. Supporting selected projects is currently a meaningful addition to our climate protection activities.

About Katjes Fassin

Katjes Fassin GmbH + Co. KG is based in Emmerich, in the Lower Rhine region of Germany. Comprising the Katjes, VICKS cough sweets, Ahoj-Brause and SALLOS brands, it is one of the three largest sweet manufacturers in Germany. The Katjes brand is considered a pioneer and trendsetter in the field of vegetarian fruit gums and liquorice. The company does not use any animal gelatine in the manufacture of its products, and the entire Katjes range in Germany is now completely vegetarian. Products are manufactured locally at three production sites across Germany, all of which have been carbon-neutral since 2020.

Katjes Fassin GmbH + Co. KG is a legal entity in its own right and forms part of the Katjes Group alongside its affiliates Katjes International GmbH + Co. KG and Katjesgreenfood GmbH + Co. KG.

For more information, please visit www.katjes.de.

Contact: Katjes Gloria Blumhofer, presse@katjes.de, Phone: +49 (0)2822 601224

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