Event Report
farmers through the chocolate bonus on top of a quality premium for high quality beans and also with customers and consumers thanks to great tasting chocolate with a sustainable story. This can also be ‘value creation’ by creating superior tasting chocolate, being sustainable certified and making the product worth a premium price. Consumers are increasingly interested in the environmental aspects of cocoa production and there is a growing concern on issues such as climate change, as current cocoa farming practices are causing extensive deforestation with consequent loss of biodiversity. Puratos reports that in 2019 the company planted 25,469 trees, in 2020 they planted 45,336, in 2021 it was 139,529 and they aim to plant 3,441,000 trees by 2030, showing an increase of dedication towards tackling this environmental issue. In November last year it was announced that the largest capital investment was to be made in Puratos’ history, which will see capacity almost double at its flagship Erembodegem location in 2023 as demand continues to grow for Belgian and sustainable chocolate. In line with Puratos’ commitment to future generations, the entire Belcolade site will become carbon neutral. It will run 100% on renewable electricity and therefore be completely free from fossil fuels. The facility will also source 90% of its water from collected rainwater. These measures are fundamental to the company’s pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2025, according to Michaux. This investment will be financed with a new sustainable loan granted by KBC.
Commenting on the investment, Dumont says: “Back in the ‘80s, Puratos decided to protect one of the most
“The program reaches over 8,000 farmers worldwide and Puratos forecasts a €1500K bonus in 2022”
precious elements of Belgium’s culinary heritage, Belgian chocolate. As a result, in 1988, we invested in a factory and launched the Belcolade brand, offering the finest quality chocolate produced exclusively in Belgium – in Erembodegem. We are very excited about this expansion and the benefits it will bring to our valued customers, partners, employees and the local area, recruiting around 100 colleagues in the coming years. With our larger team of experienced, passionate and trusted experts, state-of- the-art equipment and a heritage firmly rooted in the heart of Belgium, we’re looking forward to bringing even more unique, delicious and sustainable Cacao-Trace chocolate to the market.”
The innovation day highlighted the importance of this growing sector, and is proving Puratos’ commitment to its core values and plans for the future.
KennedysConfection.com
Kennedy’s Confection November 2022 15
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