Our contribution
Economy, ecology and social factors define our business
As one of the world’s leading slaughter operations, it is our duty to make an active contribution to a sustainable and future-proof economy.
We thus act in accordance with the three dimensions of sustainability: economy, ecology and social factors.
In doing so, we are building on the tradition of the company but want to give even more space to social and ecological issues. To enter into active dialogue with our stakeholders, we continuously analyse our value creation chain with regard to these aspects.
Three dimensions of sustainability
The world is in turmoil
Markets are becoming more global and people, goods and services more mobile. In the online magazine of the Future Research Institute in Frankfurt, 12 megatrends are identified which influence this transformation.
This has implications for the Tönnies Group: globalisation changes more than just eating habits and health trends. Rather, increased environmental protection and resource protection lead to increased requirements for food safety as well as products and processes.
Traceability along the entire value creation chain, transparency and the ecological footprint have been the buzzwords of the food industry for a long time now, and these are the terms by which we also allow ourselves to be judged.
Megatrends of the Frankfurt Future Institute
Agenda 2030
In the ‘2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’, the United Nations agreed on 17 goals and 169 targets.
These Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been signed off by 193 countries. As a global market player, our aspiration is to be at the forefront with regard to realisation of these goals and to make an active contribution to their implementation.
Agenda 2030
A contribution to a sustainable society of values
We see ourselves as an important link between farmers on one side and the meat processing industry, food retailers and the end consumer on the other side.
To determine where and with which activities Tönnies can make a contribution towards the SDGs, our sustainability team has analysed the entire value creation chain of the company. The results of this analysis have been incorporated into the determination of our eight core sustainability issues. This means that we are already making an active contribution and are on the path to a sustainable society of values and to achieving Agenda 2030.
In doing so, we have defined the following SDGs as being both relevant and within our sphere of influence:
In Practice: SGDs along the value chain at Tönnies
As a meat-processing company, Tönnies helps on a daily basis to support different small subgoals to fight poverty. We create jobs directly and indirectly along the entire value creation chain and, with the manufacture of meat and meat products, make an important contribution to food safety. At the same time, we make sure that our employees have access to basic and further training.
Meat is an important component of a healthy and balanced diet. As a producing company, we help to meet the global demand for safe and high-quality meat and the meat products created from this. We are always aware that the production of meat requires significant resources. For this reason, we look for production methods that are as efficient as possible and which avoid waste.
Meat is a particularly nutritious food and should be a fixed part of a balanced and nutritious diet. As a processing company in the meat industry, we thus make a contribution to a healthy diet that includes meat.
Tönnies employs people from many countries and from almost all levels of education. We promote suitable working conditions with targeted actions in order to develop our employees.
The manufacture of meat products requires significant resources. To protect these resources, we use the most efficient production methods. The issue of animal protection is also a key focal point today. Within our areas of responsibility, we create the basis for a level of animal protection that is as high as possible and, with our partners, initiate market offers for meat produced with an increased level of animal protection.