Arla commits to becoming the world’s most natural dairy company

From today (7 November) Arla Foods is getting ‘Closer to Nature’ as it commits to becoming the world’s most natural dairy company.

No other dairy company has taken this bold, ambitious step which demonstrates Arla Foods’ commitment to ensuring that, throughout its entire global supply chain, naturalness is at the heart of all its operations.

From milk production right through to delivering products to customers, Arla is striving to make both its products and production as natural as possible.

At the farm, Arla will continue to work closely with producers to help them implement environmental initiatives including the increased use of renewable energy, energy derived from waste, increased use of natural fertilisers and improved animal husbandry. An alternative energy audit has recently been carried out among members of Arla Foods Milk Partnership in the UK, the results of which will provide a significant insight on which to focus. Trials are also being carried out at farms, to heat water using solar panels, which is not only environmentally friendly, but has financial benefits too.

When it comes to distributing raw milk and products, as part of Arla’s Closer to Nature pledge the reduction of fossil fuel use will be key and initiatives to achieve this include purchasing the most fuel efficient vehicles; adopting the most effective distribution routes and distribution infrastructure; maximising loads to increase fuel utilisation and raising drivers’ awareness of their role in helping to reduce fuel consumption. Arla will also continue to utilise the most sustainable renewable fuels sources available, including bio-fuels.

As well as working towards a zero waste to landfill policy, Arla’s 69 production sites globally are being challenged to further reduce water and emission reductions in addition to working to ensure that eventually everything which leaves a site will have some benefit for the environment, for example recovering the organic content of effluent to produce renewable energy.

Packaging is also under the spotlight and the latest sustainable techniques will be exploited to ensure a balance between environmental considerations, functionality and user friendliness.

In its pursuit of the most natural products, new ones will not contain artificial colourings or flavourings and the use of additives will be reduced. Work has already begun across the existing portfolio to create new recipes, replace the ingredients or change production processes to ensure products comply with the Closer to Nature approach without compromising taste or quality.

According to Peter Lauritzen, CEO of Arla Foods UK: “Our Closer to Nature pledge is industry leading because rather than just focusing on one area of our operation, which is the easy option, we are challenging our entire supply chain, and I believe Arla is well placed to embrace this and continue to set itself apart from others in the industry.

“Closer to Nature is a logical step for us both building on the natural elements that are already inherent in Arla and responding to consumers’ desire for natural products which have been manufactured responsibly,” added Peter.

A new company logo has been launched to mark Arla’s commitment to getting Closer to Nature and from November 7 it will become increasingly visible throughout the world.

Arla Foods UK plc is home to some of the UK’s leading dairy brands including Cravendale, Lurpak and Anchor. Processing approximately two billion litres of milk a year Arla continues to be one of the UK’s leading dairy companies and a supplier of fresh liquid milk and cream to the top seven retailers.

Over 2,500 daily deliveries are made directly to stores nationwide and Arla brands can be found across the dairy category. As well as the leader of the butter, spreads and margarine sector, and a major supplier of other added value products including flavoured milk and cheese, Arla continues to build working relationships with Arla Foods Milk Partnership, a unique group of dairy farmers, which supplies around 90 per cent of Arla's total milk requirements.

Behind this leading business is a team of circa 2,800 people across the UK located at our dairies, distribution centres and head office.