Italcanditi Showcases Strong Sustainability Progress in 2024 Report

The Italcanditi group presented its 2024 sustainability report. Among the key results: 100% electricity from renewable sources at all production sites, 70% of ingredients from local suppliers, and a 35% increase in employee training hours.

Renewable electricity at all production sites, 98% of sugar from beets grown in Europe, 70% of ingredients from local suppliers, a 35% increase in employee training hours. These are some of the results emerging from the Italcanditi Group’s 2024 Sustainability Report. The consolidated report, now in its second edition, includes not only the activities of Italcanditi, but also of Comprital and Prodotti Rubicone, all companies belonging to Nexture, the platform dedicated to the development of high-quality ingredients and value-added solutions for the food industry.

For the first time, the 2024 document also includes data from the Goes (Netherlands) production facility, acquired last year. “With the acquisition of the Goes production facility from CSM Ingredients in 2024, we have further strengthened our capabilities in the preparation of semi-processed fruit, increasing production synergies and expanding our geographic presence. This allows us to more effectively serve rapidly growing markets and categories, such as plant-based dairy substitutes,” emphasized Carlo Parmoli, CEO of Italcanditi.

Climate impact and energy efficiency

In 2024, the Italcanditi Group further strengthened its commitment to decarbonization through investments that combine technological innovation and environmental responsibility. The strategy focuses specifically on reducing dependence on fossil fuels, improving energy efficiency, and increasing the use of renewable sources at all plants.

100 % of the electricity used at the group’s production sites comes from renewable sources: 91% of consumption was covered by Guarantees of Origin, while the remaining 9% was generated directly on-site thanks to photovoltaic systems.

The capacity of the installed solar systems has reached 1,255 kWp at the Pedrengo plant and 80 kWp at the Prodotti Rubicone plant , while the new Comprital plant will be operational in 2025.

In Pedrengo, Italcanditi operates a biogas cogeneration plant (CHP – Combined Heat and Power) that simultaneously produces heat and electricity from a single source, allowing the heat generated during production to be recovered and reused, reducing waste and improving overall efficiency. Biogas is produced on-site through the anaerobic digestion of wastewater from the wastewater treatment plant, while the recovered heat is reused in production processes. In 2024, the plant supplied 1,533 MWh to the national electricity system, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable energy mix.

Also in Pedrengo, a natural gas trigeneration plant (CCHP – Combined Cooling, Heat and Power) is operational , extending the benefits of cogeneration by also producing cooling energy from recovered heat, further improving overall efficiency.

The commitment to a more circular approach also concerns packaging : approximately 85% of Italcanditi products are now delivered to customers in reusable steel tanks, significantly reducing single-use materials.

A sustainable supply chain

Responsible and sustainable sourcing of high-quality raw materials is a cornerstone of the Italcanditi group’s strategy, according to a statement. Thanks to the diversification of its activities, the group adopts targeted supply approaches, with a strong focus on local supply chains. This ensures freshness, traceability, and lower transportation emissions.

In 2024, 70% of the raw materials used were purchased from Italian suppliers, strengthening the connection with local communities. The group also confirmed its commitment to an increasingly sustainable supply chain, with 83% of its palm oil certified by RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) and 98% of its sugar coming from European beetroot, supporting local agriculture and reducing transportation-related emissions.

These results contribute to the achievement of long-term objectives, which include 100% certified direct raw materials by 2030 and full monitoring of direct suppliers in terms of social impact by 2025.

Product innovation

Innovation continues to be one of the group’s distinctive strengths. The integration of the Goes site, now operating under the Vitalfood brand, has expanded its expertise in fruit preparations and water-based creams, resulting in a portfolio of over 3,000 recipes : from fruit preparations to flavored bases, all the way to glazes, candied fruit, and marron glacés.

Comprital’s Athenaeum training center continues its role in spreading innovation and expertise in the world of artisanal gelato, offering advanced training courses for gelato makers and pastry chefs. In 2024, the Athenaeum on Tour project was launched, bringing training directly to distributors’ locations throughout Italy, making professional development more accessible and helping customers maximize the value of Comprital products.

Furthermore, Rubicone has contributed to the evolution of the offering by expanding the Crumbles line, now consisting of 11 ready-to-use references, and introducing two new FitGelato variants inspired by açaí, with no added sugars and ideal for multiple applications in ice cream shops and pastry shops.

Italcanditi’s attention to people

At the end of 2024, the group employed 592 people in three countries, a 25% increase compared to the previous year, thanks mainly to the integration of the Dutch site.

Over the course of the year, 3,970 hours of training were provided (+35% over 2023), covering topics ranging from leadership to safety, from digital skills to individual well-being.

These initiatives reflect Italcanditi’s commitment to building a safe, inclusive, and people-centered work environment, the group announced in a statement.

__

(Featured image by Loui Kiær via Unsplash)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Born2Invest, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in ESG NEWS. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Born2Invest assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Born2Invest is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us.