Arla launches 2014 CSR report

Arla Foods has today launched its 2014 global CSR report which is now available for download.

The 2014 report highlights the farmer-owned dairy company’s commitment to its social, ethical, environmental and financial responsibilities.

UK highlights include:

Setting new environmental standards at our new Aylesbury site (p.43)

• The opening of the Aylesbury fresh milk facility which, when at full capacity, will have the potential to produce 1.5m bottles per day and will be the biggest fresh milk processing facility in the world
• The Aylesbury site is setting new environmental standards on a global scale including:
• Its own blow moulding facility producing lightweight bottles which are 25% lighter than a standard milk bottle and using recycled material
• Reduced water need by utilising water recovery and rain water harvesting
• Turning milk contaminated water into useful energy via an anaerobic digestion plant which can handle up to 500,000 litres of waste water per day
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60% before adding any renewable energy sources or further operational facilities, thanks to the unique design and layout of the site

Increasing sustainable dairy farming (p.44)

• The launch of Arla’s Growing Together workshops which are designed to equip Arla Farmers with all the tools required for sustainable dairy farming
• Launched the ‘Support Our Farmers’ campaign designed to encourage more UK consumers to buy British dairy products

Responsible sourcing (p.22)

• A commitment to move to 100% certified segregated palm oil by end of 2015
• 100% RTRS certificates for soy. Arla became the world’s biggest purchaser of RTRS soy certificates

Caring for the environment (p.39)

• Zero waste to landfill at all Arla sites
• Increased number of British dual-fuel tractors to 23 (versus 11 in 2013)
• Reducing the amount of plastic in our packaging as well as increasing the use of recycled plastic. The light weight Eco bottles that were introduced last year, will be introduced at all our UK production sites during 2015.

Safety in the workplace (p.50)

• 44% reduction in lost time accidents (over last 3 years)

Nutritional improvement (p.32)

• 31% salt reduction in plain soft cheese since 2010

Arla’s latest CSR report shows many examples of how the cooperative has been working responsibly during the year, but also some of the challenges the company has met along the way.

“As Arla continues to grow, we will need to keep doing things in new and better ways. It is my belief that Arla will grow by adding long-term sustainable value to people’s lives, whether they are owners, customers, partners, colleagues – or simply people who want to enjoy a natural, healthy dairy product that makes them feel good. This is what I hope you will find examples of in this report. I also hope it will inspire you to follow us on the responsible way we have chosen,” writes CEO of Arla Foods, Peder Tuborgh, in the opening introduction in this year’s CSR report.

Arla’s 2014 CSR report can be read or downloaded at http://www.arla.com/csr

Arla Foods is a global dairy company and co-operative owned by 13,500 dairy farmers circa 3,000 of whom are British.

Dating back to 1881, Arla’s purpose is to secure the highest value for its farmers’ milk, while creating opportunities for their growth. With production facilities in 11 countries and sales offices in a further 30, Arla is the world’s sixth largest dairy company and largest supplier of organic dairy products. Arla has a total of more than 18,000 colleagues and its products are sold under the well-known brands Arla®, Lurpak® and Castello® in more than 100 countries.

Arla Foods UK is the largest dairy company in the country and is home to leading dairy brands Anchor, Cravendale, and Lactofree. It has a turnover of £2.3 billion. As well as being number one in fresh liquid milk, butter, spreads and cream, Arla is the UK’s largest cheese manufacturer. It has also built the world’s largest fresh milk facility located at Aylesbury and has plans for it to be the first zero carbon site of its kind. The UK business has a team of approximately 4,000 colleagues located at its dairies, distribution centres and head office.