KENYA – Bio Foods Products, a leading dairy processor in East Africa, has ramped up its sustainability efforts by shifting 39% of its energy reliance to solar power.
Speaking during the launch of Bio Foods’ 2023 Sustainability Report, CEO Joachim Westerveld highlighted the company’s commitment to energy efficiency as a means of cutting carbon emissions.
He explained that the company had fine-tuned its production schedules to align with solar energy availability, while also upgrading 92% of its facility to LED lighting.
These efforts, he noted, are aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of its operations.
Westerveld emphasized that Bio Foods has also taken significant steps to reduce energy waste.
By insulating boiler and pasteurizer pipes and installing sensors in cold rooms, the company has optimized cooling and minimized unnecessary electricity usage, without compromising the quality of its products.
In addition to energy efficiency, Bio Foods is focusing on sustainable packaging solutions. The company plans to replace shrink wraps with crates for product transportation and is exploring the use of recycled PET (rPET) bottles for milk packaging.
However, this initiative is contingent on the establishment of food-grade PET standards and the availability of suitable machinery at supplier facilities.
Rosalid Rwaru, Head of Sustainability at Bio Foods, explained that the transition from translucent to clear PET bottles aligns with the Kenya Plastics Pact Design Guidelines for Recyclability.
She noted that this shift would enhance recyclability while maintaining product quality, further demonstrating the company’s commitment to sustainable practices.
Bio Foods has also introduced a new bonus system to encourage the production of high-quality milk.
Farmers supplying milk with Total Plate Count (TPC) values below 100,000 receive additional payments, with further bonuses for higher butterfat and protein content.
This initiative allows farmers to earn between KSh 58 and KSh 65 per litre, significantly higher than the market average of KSh 48-50.
According to Amos Maina, the company’s Quality Team Lead, the system is designed to incentivize superior milk quality while supporting farmers’ livelihoods.
The company’s sustainability efforts have already yielded significant results, including a notable reduction in factory waste, water consumption, and carbon emissions intensity, even as production levels have increased.
Entry-level wages at Bio Foods have also surpassed the Kenyan gazetted minimum wage, reflecting the company’s commitment to fair labor practices.
Westerveld reiterated Bio Foods’ dedication to sustainability, stating that the company’s initiatives are designed to benefit people, the planet, and profitability.
Looking ahead, the company aims to further reduce water consumption, lower CO2 intensity, and adopt regenerative agricultural practices to enhance agricultural productivity.
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