Success comes to those who work together
Atria’s strong and unique value chain begins in the fields and our own feed factories. It runs from family farms, sustainable industrial production and commercial partners all the way to consumers’ plates. In this interview, CEO Kai Gyllström and Merja Leino, EVP, Sustainability, explain how sustainability guides Atria’s operations, value chain and strategic choices.
How is sustainability shown in Atria’s value chain?
KAI: Sustainability is at the core of Atria's business. We consider the environment, people and financial sustainability in everything we do. We want consumers, customers and producers to see sustainability as real added value – not as an isolated feature, but a principle that runs through the entire value chain.
MERJA: This brochure describes how sustainability is shown in the various parts of our chain. In primary production, it means climate and environmental issues, freedom from antibiotics and traceability of products to individual farms, for example. In industrial production, we invest in energy efficiency and sustainable investments and solutions that improve safety and process quality. In logistics and packaging, our goal is a smaller carbon footprint and more sustainable operations overall. Product development and innovation support these goals, and our employees are actively participating in training and programmes that strengthen our culture of sustainability.
What is Atria's transparent food chain like?
MERJA: Transparency and traceability are key strengths of our chain. We have long been pioneers in sustainability and traceable meat production, where products can be traced all the way to the family farm from where they came. This guarantees safety, knowledge of origin and animal welfare. Carbon footprint calculation, sustainable energy, packaging solutions and sustainability actions at production facilities support transparency at every stage of the chain.
KAI: Thanks to our traceable chain, we can present accurate emissions data for the various production stages and increase consumers' understanding of the impact of their choices. When sustainability actions are also visible in the labelling on packaging and in our communications, we can show that we are acting in accordance with our promises – and this is a clear competitive advantage for us in international markets as well.
Kai, how does the new TOGETHER 2030 strategy integrate sustainability into business?
KAI: Our new strategy places sustainability even more firmly at the heart of our business. Climate goals have been set as clear strategic goals: a 42% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 20% reduction in Scope 3 emissions per kilogram of meat by 2030 compared to 2020. The name of the strategy, TOGETHER, emphasises the importance of cooperation – sustainability can only be achieved through the concerted efforts of the entire organisation.
Can you give some specific examples of the results of this collaboration?
MERJA: For example, carbon footprint labelling of poultry products is a joint achievement of many teams. Exports to Japan also reflect the strength of our chain: the quality of Atria's primary production, freedom from antibiotics and our small carbon footprint are valued there. Such successes are only possible through seamless collaboration between producers, product and packaging development, and sales. In addition, ongoing energy and production line investments show how expertise from many sectors is combined to promote sustainability goals.
KAI: These examples highlight that sustainability is above all about working together. It creates value for consumers and producers – and strengthens Atria's long-term competitiveness.
Merja, tell us a little more about Atria’s new sustainability programme!
MERJA: The programme’s themes of long-term renewal guide us towards increasingly renewable, transparent and sustainable food production. I believe that the programme will further strengthen a culture where sustainability is shown in all our activities. The goal is for every Atria employee to understand their own role in sustainability work and be proud of it.
Kai, is there anything you’d like to say to wrap things up?
KAI: I’d like to express my warm thanks to Merja on the eve of her retirement. Merja's 30 years of commitment and dedication to Atria have been invaluable. Her systematic work to promote sustainability is clearly reflected in our entire value chain and in our everyday actions.