INDUSTRY NEWS GNT earns top sustainability award
GNT has been ranked among the top 1% of companies in the food manufacturing industry for sustainability performance. EcoVadis, a leading global provider of
business sustainability ratings, has awarded the EXBERRY® colour supplier a Platinum medal. This achievement follows Silver and Gold medals in previous assessment periods and marks another major step forward in the company’s sustainability journey. In 2025, GNT increased its overall EcoVadis
score to 86 out of 100, placing it in the 99th percentile. The improved rating reflects stronger performance across several key areas, including enhanced resource efficiency and waste reduction through more efficient systems and equipment, strengthened ethics and compliance practices supported by external audits, and improved supply chain risk
These developments deliver clear benefits
management. GNT also expanded responsible supplier oversight through additional on- site visits, promoting more sustainable procurement practices. During the same year, GNT officially
committed to the United Nations Global Compact, aligning its strategy and operations with internationally recognised principles on human rights, labour, environmental protection, and anti-corruption.
Lindt & Sprüngli posts double-digit organic growth
Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Sprüngli has delivered strong organic growth in 2025, lifting sales to CHF 5.92 billion despite geopolitical uncertainty, cautious consumers and record- high cocoa prices.
The group reported organic sales growth of 12.4%, while reported sales
was driven by double-digit price increases, resilient demand for premium chocolate and the global rollout of its Dubai Style Chocolate range. Lindt & Sprüngli said the wider chocolate market saw falling volumes as soaring cocoa prices forced manufacturers to raise prices. The group implemented average price increases of around 19% during the year but said its premium positioning enabled it to outperform the market and gain share.
“Consumers still long for quality and moments of bliss – a small, special treat,” said chief executive Adalbert Lechner. “As a premium brand, we meet that demand.” 2.96 billion. All European subsidiaries recorded double-digit growth, with gains above 20% in Benelux, Central and Eastern Europe, the and seasonal products drove demand, alongside Dubai Style Chocolate. North America grew organically by 8.9% to CHF 2.18 billion, accelerating to 11.9% in the second half, supported by Lindor, Excellence, Dubai Style Chocolate and Ghirardelli baking products. The Rest of the World division rose 11.7% to CHF 0.78 billion, with double-digit growth in markets including Japan, Brazil, South Africa and China.
Global Retail sales increased 20.8% across around 620 own stores and 21 e-shops, supported by network expansion and strong like-for-like growth.
Lindt & Sprüngli expects EBIT margin growth at the lower end of its 20–40 basis point target for 2025 and reiterated its medium-term goal of 6–8% organic sales growth.
for customers, including increased supply chain resilience, a lower carbon footprint, and greater assurance around ethical sourcing. Rutger de Kort, Sustainability Manager at GNT Group, said: “This Platinum medal reflects our continuous improvement journey and represents a significant milestone in our ambitious sustainability plans. We have strengthened policies, expanded KPI reporting, and enhanced risk assessment practices to drive higher standards across the business.” GNT, which produces EXBERRY® colours
from non-GMO fruits, vegetables, and plants, aims to lead the food colouring market on sustainability, with targets that include reducing carbon intensity at its factories and training all contract farmers in sustainable agriculture.
Plamil Foods announces upgrade in manufacturing capacity
Plamil Foods, the UK plant-based food manufacturer and pioneer in free from confectionery, has expanded its production capabilities to include chocolate drops as small as 20,000 pieces per kilogram, marking a new milestone in precision confectionery manufacturing. The development reflects
Plamil’s commitment to innovation and technical excellence, while extending its chocolate solutions beyond the traditional free from market and maintaining ethical production standards. The new micro-drop size,
branded as Plamil’s “nano” range, enables ultra-small chocolate inclusions with consistent flavour distribution and improved portion control. With 20,000 individual pieces per kilogram, manufacturers can achieve highly uniform integration of chocolate into bakery items, bars, toppings and premium snack formats. “This development puts us at the forefront of precision chocolate manufacturing,” said
6 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025/26
Adrian Ling, CEO of Plamil Foods. “By continually investing in advanced technology, we support our customers’ creativity, efficiency and product performance across confectionery, bakery and industrial applications.” As brands increasingly
seek clean-label ingredients and precise dosing, the nano- drop format offers clear benefits, including enhanced dosing control for calorie- regulated products, improved dispersion for
even flavour delivery, and greater cost efficiency through lower usage rates. The drops are produced in Plamil’s dedicated free from facility using certified, plant-based processes aligned with sustainability goals. BRCGS-certified Plamil has a long history of innovation in free from chocolate manufacturing. The new nano- drops are now available for industrial, wholesale and co- manufacturing customers, with samples and technical specifications available on request.
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