Biodiversity

Biodiversity preservation is one of our areas of impact. As bee-feed producers, we are acutely aware of the importance of preserving the habitat of bees and other pollinators.

Our goals for biodiversity: As part of our greater efforts to preserve and foster natural ecosystems across the entire value chain, we want to play a leading role in the agro-ecological transition and to reduce total water consumption in a responsible way and through a circular economy approach.

Biodiversité
Summary of Key Performance Indicators:
Commitment topicsKPITarget 2022Target 2026
Biodiversity across the supply chainEvolution number of flower strips across SZ 4 (approx 220ha)2,200Under discussion
Scientifically long-term collaborations on understanding the impact of near and in field biodiversity2Under discussion
Number of farmers involved in biodiversity standard10
Clearings ponds near factoriesNumber of collaborations to improve bird habitat and to drive awareness of its valueWIP
Water usage in factoriesFreshwater scope 1 demand in m³/t in high (extremely high) stress areasWIP

Did you know:

95% of the water needed to extract sugar from sugar beet comes from the beet itself. During the production process, the water contained in the beets is reused for cleaning the beets. All this water is recycled through a system of treatment plants and sedimentation ponds, the latter creating a very rich ecosystem for all kinds of birds and insects. More than 10 species of birds find their habitat in these ponds.

Pond

Pilot farms

The pilot farms located in Germany (Kirschgartshausen), France (Etrepagny) and Belgium aim to test innovative farming practices to foster sustainability within a changing ecosystem while preserving the profitability of beetroot cultivation.

Flower strips

In an effort to promote biodiversity, the Südzucker Group has been discussing the creation of flower strips with growers since 2014.