SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REPORT
In late 2010, we set quantitative and qualitative goals in the field of sustainable development for 2013 (a 3-year horizon), distinguishing three categories:
- Resource management
- Lifecycle
- The men and women in the company.
In our first report - now annual - we report our results with maximum objectivity: reminding ourselves of our goals and the results at the end of 2012; we also comment on work in progress.
In short, how are we doing? Pretty well, because at the end of 2012, that is to say one year earlier than planned, we have achieved most of our objectives.
We have made a real effort in our consumption of water and fossil fuels.
But our biggest success - after two years - is in our corporate culture; we have largely made sustainable development an integral part of our behaviour.
We will continue our efforts and will, once again, in the autumn of 2013, set ourselves new challenges for the next three years - 2014 to 2017.
Reminder of our aims and the 2012 outturn
| Water consumption M3/tonne |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 outturn |
Change End 2010 – end 2012 |
3-year goal End 2010 – end 2013 |
|
| Reitzel India | 3.67 | -33% | -25% |
| Reitzel Briand | 5.16 | -11% | -11% |
| Reitzel Suisse | 9.28 | -41% | -8% |
Comments
We had set a 3-year goal of significantly reducing our water consumption per tonne produced. Our goals per site have been achieved after 2 years: motivation, quantitative information, identification of losses and waste, optimising the cleaning of lines, recycling of wash water and reformulating capers recipes to reduce desalination.
Note that the differences in consumore mption from one site to another are related to different product lines: in Switzerland we manufacture pickles, vinegars, mustards and sauces.
Current projects
We are continuing our efforts to save water, paying special attention to India where long-term scarcity is a problem.
Reminder of our aims and the 2012 outturn
| Equivalent consumption KW/Tonnes |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 outturn |
Change End 2010 – end 2012 |
3-year goal End 2010 – end 2013 |
|
| Reitzel Briand Gas |
444 | -15% | -14% |
| Reitzel India Fuel oil |
651 | -24% | -17% |
| Reitzel Suisse Gas |
492 | NA | -9% |
Comments
In France and in India we exceeded our goal for saving fossil fuel by the end of 2012.
In France we have changed the boiler (doubling the savings) and revised pasteurization.
In India, we have been working on optimising the line and also on the pasteurisation profiles.
In Switzerland, we have unfortunately significantly spread our consumption at the end of 2010 and for this reason we cannot comment on the development. This will be done by the end of 2013.
Current projects
In India, we are considering a wood boiler to reduce our consumption of heavy fuel oil which represents approximately 27% of our consumption.
Reminder of our aims and the 2012 outturn
We cannot do without our trips by plane or car ... but we can reduce their number.
| 2012 | Change since 2011 | Goal |
| 236 Tonnes CO2 equivalent | -27% | -4% per year |
Comments
Using Class A cars, reducing our air travel, using eco or Premium class and by developing videoconferencing…we have been able to significantly reduce our « footprint ».
Current projects
We have decided to invest a voluntary CO2 tax in an NGO. In 2011 and 2012 we paid € 11,000 to the CARDTS association.
Reminder of our aims and the 2012 outturn
| Consommation KW / Tonnes |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 outturn |
2-year change |
3-year goal | |
| Reitzel Briand | 128 | +5% | -6% |
| Reitzel India | 150 | -18% | -17% |
| Reitzel Suisse | 194 | +2% | -9% |
Comments
While the Indian plant has achieved its objective our two European sites have increased their consumption per tonne of product produced.
However, for the two sites we are now using 100% renewable electricity: hydro, wind, biomass and solar.
Current projects
We are continuing to work on the subject by conducting energy audits.
We are striving to develop local agricultural sectors wherever possible:
- In India, we are working directly with 5,000 farmers who are within a radius of 250 km around our plant… to process approximately 15,000 tons of raw materials.
- In France, with our recently acquired subsidiary CHRIST, we have a partnership with 15 farmers from the Sarthe who supply us with cabbages, and have been doing so now for over 80 years, from the date the company was created. This type of local practice, much in fashion nowadays, is part of the company’s DNA.
- In Switzerland, despite the difficulties and high prices, we continue to foster the growth of gherkins in Thurgau.
We have worked hard at our Bourré site with the aim of recovering 75% of our waste by the end of 2013.
By the end of 2012, we reached a recovery rate of 91% via our recycling channels (glass, wood, plastic, cardboard, green waste composting).
The Grenelle goal (70%) has thus been achieved.
We will, of course, extend the approach to other group sites.
Reminder of our aims and the 2012 outturn
| M3 of water / tonne | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 outturn |
2-year change |
3-year goal | |
| Reitzel Briand | 2,62 | -25% | -11% |
| Reitzel India | 2,02 | -37% | -17% |
| Reitzel Suisse | 3,76 | -49% | -8% |
Comments
Our action plans are in operation:
- In Switzerland: new wastewater treatment plant
- In France: dumping a portion of vinegar juice
- In India: recovery of vinegar and work on waste.
Current projects
Investment for a new wastewater treatment plant in India.
In the Reitzel Group, we ensure equal treatment for all our employees, be they male or female.
We are carrying out studies with a consultant, Monique Savin, to ensure that the principle of equality is adhered to. In France, on our production site at Bourré (Loir-et-Cher), the conclusion is that equivalent jobs are paid equally.
We will extend this type of study to all our sites.
At the global level, there is an imbalance, with 415 men to 244 women. Though the goal of perfect equality is not an end in itself because we focus on skills, we are aware that improvement is needed and we will seek to make progress here.
Just as in matters of gender, we have no prejudices when hiring our employees. Therefore, the Group employs more than 15 nationalities from three continents (Europe, America and Asia).
For us, the multicultural side is a strength and we want to continue to grow for a long time!
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