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Sustainability meets innovation at Fi Europe 2023's Sustainability Ingredients Zone

Fi Europe’s Sustainable Ingredients Zone showcases ingredients forging a path toward a greener future. Three innovators are redefining what sustainability within the food and beverage industry means, with upcycled products, regenerative agriculture, and responsibly sourced dairy.

In the face of food contributing approximately 26% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Fi Europe's Sustainable Ingredients Zone stands as an important hub for sustainable exploration. Companies are redefining food production from plot to plate, embodying a shift towards circular, less wasteful models that align with the rising consumer demand for sustainable options.

Crafting an eco-friendly texture using beets by-product

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Fidesse, an upcycled creation by Cuson Beet Company, introduces a sustainable structuring ingredient derived from sugar beet pulp. As a by-product of sugar production, sugar beet pulp forms the foundation of Fidesse, championing responsible sourcing and minimising waste. This 100% plant-based ingredient enriches plant-based products with texture and juiciness, catering to both vegetarians and vegans. By utilising locally grown sugar beets, Fidesse contributes to a low carbon footprint, presenting a versatile and eco-friendly alternative in the realm of plant-based cuisine.

Bridging sustainability and regenerative agriculture

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AMPLIFY, Cristalco's innovation, stands as the first European beet sugar and alcohol proposition with some of the lowest GHG emissions, according to Cristalco. It provides companies the option to create finished products that align with reduced GHG emissions, which is achieved with its three pillar operational solutions:

REDUCE offers sugars & alcohols with up to 40% fewer emissions than the European standard, CHANGE provides sugars & alcohols sourced from beets grown by farmers deeply engaged in agroecological initiatives and ACCELERATE presents a holistic range of sugars & alcohols with some of the lowest GHG emissions, sourced from growers committed to regenerative agriculture, representing 40% less than standard.

Balancing transparency and harmony in dairy production

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Fonterra New Zealand establishes a benchmark for sustainable dairy practices with its Grass & Pasture Fed Standard. Independently certified by AsureQuality, this standard emphasises lush pasture as the primary food source for cows. Transparent and adherent to stringent standards, Fonterra's commitment to natural farming practices results in one of the world's lowest on-farm carbon footprints. The Grass and Pasture Fed Standard ensures cows graze freely on nutrient-rich pastures, providing consumers with dairy goodness produced through a sustainable and harmonious farming approach.