Staying safe is the new healthy
Health has become much more important during the pandemic and is driving shifts in consumer mindset and behaviour. While health and wellness have been long-standing trends in food, 2021 has brought a new focus on being healthy. Globally, 62 per cent of consumers feel there is a real threat to their own and their family’s physical and mental health in the next 12 months. The focus of being healthy now is about staying safe during the pandemic and we’re seeing shifts in consumer behaviour that reflect this need to be and stay well. 53 per cent of consumers globally are increasingly choosing products that support their immune system and 75 per cent prefer food and beverages over supplements as immunity boosting solutions.
Responsible consumption – for society and the planet
Responsible consumption has become a powerful driving force behind consumer aspirations and behaviour. Sustainability and social responsibility remain important drivers of consumer behaviour with demands for environment-positive and zero-waste solutions greater than ever – as is a new focus on people and social justice. Globally, 57 per cent of consumers are willing to change their purchasing habits to help reduce negative environmental impact. In addition, 72 per cent of consumers globally agree that ‘individuals like me’ need to act now, or they will fail future generations. Consumers are looking to brands that can demonstrate they are good to their own people, their communities as well as to the environment.
Increased digitalisation leads to improved sustainability
Sidel offers smart digital solutions to help customers maintain the value of their packaging line and minimise disruptions to their operations. The Evo-ON® software suite provides greater line knowledge with extended data analytics that leverages the cloud computing power of machine learning and Artificial Intelligence. This intelligent suite continuously measures and analyses production line data, draws conclusions and offers recommendations to Sidel’s customers to identify the best way forward and achieve optimal performance. The recently developed Evo-ON® Eco app identifies variations at an early stage with the aim of informing and driving lower emissions and promoting energy efficiency. It analyses line energy consumption to give the customer actionable solutions to tackle any equipment overconsumption by spotting inefficiencies so that corrective actions can be promptly taken.
Sidel invests in r-PET for circularity and lower greenhouse gas emissions
Sustainability is increasingly top of mind among both customers and authorities. The latter is increasingly developing new packaging regulations towards greater circularity and lower environmental footprint. Sidel is part of the global commitment for circularity and is committed to Science Based Targets Initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). One way Sidel is doing this is through its development of recycled PET (r-PET), which can reduce emissions by 80 per cent compared with virgin PET. Sidel is building a small-scale r-PET recycling line in Octeville, France. The ambition is to add r-PET to its skillset, and to serve as a testing platform for demonstrating how customers can best leverage and optimise the deployment of recyclable, recycled and eco-friendly packaging.
Taking action on sustainability at DeLaval
Sustainability related topics represent some of the greatest challenges of our time. DeLaval’s greatest opportunities to contribute towards a more sustainable world are related to its products and services, which help farmers to mitigate their impacts. The company focuses on the environmental efficiency and carbon footprint of its products, Environment, Food Safety & Animal Welfare and Social & Economic, through a holistic approach to sustainability.
It also works with sustainability throughout its global supply chain and seeks to minimise the impact of its own operations. In 2021, energy consumption was reduced by 8 per cent, despite large production increase water consumption has only gone up 1 per cent and waste was the same as in 2020.
More sustainable dairy farms through automation and data
Automation and digitalisation are becoming increasingly important where new technology and data offer many opportunities to run more sustainable dairy farms. With the support of technology and sensors from DeLaval, milk producers can measure different parameters that provide insight into both animal well-being and milk quality.
This insight lays the foundation for good animal health, high milk production, optimised feeding, good reproduction and cow longevity. In short – increased automation and digitalisation increase dairy production and sustainability by helping dairy farmers to do more with less.
