Environmental credentials are an increasingly important factor in food and drink products’ success. At GNT, we’re committed to driving industry standards
higher by aligning naturalness and sustainability. Our plant-based EXBERRY® Coloring Foods make it possible to create spectacular products that meet consumer expectations now and into the future.
Why are sustainable colors important?
Interest in sustainability is increasing all the time. A survey in 2020 found that 74% of consumers worldwide are concerned about the environment – up 12% on the previous year. As a result, brands are increasingly taking steps to show their products are kind to the planet. Between 2016 and 2020, there was a 64.1% increase in the number of food and drink launches making ‘environmentally friendly product’ claims, while ‘carbon neutral’ claims rose by 82.3% Every ingredient counts – Innova research shows that 85% of consumers feel information on what is in their food is of major importance to them, while 59% want to know where their food comes from and how it is made.
Why Coloring Foods?
Research carried out by FMCG Gurus shows shoppers today want products with natural, authentic ingredients as they are seen to offer greater nutritional value and have less impact on the planet.
Plant-based food and drink has a particularly strong association with sustainability. In fact, six in ten consumers following plant-based diets say they are motivated at least in part by environmental concerns.
Coloring Foods are a natural, plant-based coloring solution made from edible fruit, vegetables and plants using physical processing methods. They are perfect for clean and clear label declarations and can be used for almost any food and beverage application.
Why EXBERRY®?
EXBERRY® Coloring Foods are made from non-GMO crops grown by our trusted network of farmers as part of our vertical supply chain, making them ideal
for today’s discerning shoppers.
We have taken many important steps to increase sustainability, too, including increasing the color intensity of our crops, reducing transit at every stage, installing solar panels and switching all our production sites to green electricity.
We’re now working to take our sustainability credentials to the next level by 2030. We have set out a plan to reduce our carbon footprint across the total supply chain, strive for net zero environmental impact across our operations, preserve and restore nature for future generations, and care for people throughout the whole value chain.
Targets for 2030: GNT’s blueprint for even greener colors
Better for people
We are working to create an even happier and more diverse workplace, while we are working to ensure our labor safety standards reach new heights. We will increase diversity and inclusivity as well as initiating projects to improve livelihoods across our sourcing areas globally.
Better agriculture
We will work with our contract farmers to enhance farmland sustainability through integrated pest management and nutrient efficiency as well as implementing biodiversity projects across all our sourcing areas. We will continue to enhance the color intensity of our crops and make use of innovative new farming technologies. Higher color content reduces the amount required and cuts down on both packaging and transportation.
Better operations
We are targeting a 50% reduction in the intensity of CO2-equivalent emissions in our factories compared to 2020 levels through the use of innovative process technologies. We will also improve the energy and water efficiency across our production sites. We will make even greater use of our products’ sidestreams to increase circularity, aiming to ensure that more than 75% remain food ingredients.
Better products
Through constant innovation across our supply chain, we plan to reduce the environmental footprint for EXBERRY® product ranges by 25% compared to 2020 levels and help our customers benefit from a reduced Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). We will also work with our customers on new ways to maximize the sustainability of their products.