Sustainable procurement is at the core of our mission to become a more environmentally and socially responsible company. With raw materials accounting for around 70% of our Scope 3 emissions — and Scope 3 representing over 90% of our total emissions — sustainable sourcing is essential to reducing our overall environmental footprint.
However, sourcing on a global scale adds complexity. We must consider the environmental impact and social factors such as working conditions and community well-being. Collecting accurate data on these impacts is challenging, and we are taking a phased approach to building a complete understanding over time.
Added to this, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), now being implemented across the EU, demands greater transparency from companies regarding their supply chains. New regulations, such as the EU’s deforestation directive, push businesses to reassess sourcing, especially for high-impact products like palm oil and soy. Many companies, including Kemin, are also adopting supplier codes of conduct that prioritise ethical sourcing, human rights, and environmental standards — working towards more responsible procurement.
For us, sustainable sourcing is not just about meeting environmental goals — it’s a social responsibility vital to advancing sustainability throughout our supply chain. We are committed to continually transforming how we source materials for a better future. Koen Van Nueten, EMEA Procurement Manager, and Angela Zanotti, Sustainability Analyst Reporter, explain our sourcing journey within Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health in the EMENA region.
"A key focus of Kemin’s sustainability strategy has been to understand the carbon footprint of the raw materials we source,” explains Koen. “We’ve made significant progress in mapping the lifecycle of our products, having completed over 50 lifecycle assessments covering more than 150 ingredients. This effort required close collaboration with our suppliers, who provided vital data on their raw materials, transportation, and, in some cases, production processes.
By gathering and analysing this information, we can better assess the environmental impact of each material, from its origin to end use and make informed decisions to reduce our overall carbon footprint. These assessments also enable our customers to make more informed choices, contributing to the sustainability of the entire value chain. This achievement, a major milestone in our sustainability journey, was only possible thanks to our procurement team. While it’s a complex task, it is essential to meeting our long-term sustainability goals."
“In addition to carbon footprint mapping, we’re prioritising reducing plastic use across our supply chain,” explains Angela. “We’re actively collaborating with suppliers to explore packaging alternatives, reduce virgin plastic usage, and improve recyclability. While we’re in the early stages, we’ve set ambitious targets, though the specifics will depend on regulations, particularly for packaging that comes into contact with our products.”
“We remain committed to environmental sustainability while ensuring compliance with the necessary regulations. Our ultimate goal is to provide sustainable packaging solutions that meet industry standards and customer demands for greener products,” furthers Angela.
“Part of our sustainable sourcing efforts is to ensure a more established supplier code of conduct,” Koen shares. “We’re working with the global sustainability team to direct our work in this area. The code of conduct will address topics like human rights, environmental standards, and certifications, ensuring that our suppliers meet certain standards, which is crucial as customers increasingly demand such compliance.”
These efforts will ensure sustainability beyond our internal operations. It’s about creating a responsible and transparent supply chain and working together with various stakeholders to achieve this. This supplier code of conduct will help ensure our partners adhere to the highest ethical and environmental standards, further aligning our sourcing practices with global sustainability expectations.
“We can’t talk about sourcing without talking about local versus global supply. And the trade-off between local and global is something we constantly assess,” explains Koen. “While local sourcing may sometimes be more expensive, it could offer better sustainability outcomes, which needs to be weighed in strategic decisions. Naturally, we strive to maximise sustainable sourcing within Europe while maintaining a balanced approach between local and global sourcing. Suppliers outside the EU must meet European compliance standards to continue doing business with us. And there’s a careful balance between sustainability and cost, a strategic decision that plays a vital role in shaping our sourcing policies for the future.”
"As part of our longer-term goals, Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health is exploring the development of sustainability scorecards for suppliers,” explains Angela. “In the near future, we’ll likely see the introduction of these scorecards, which could eventually grant preferential status to suppliers meeting specific sustainability criteria. We’re also considering approaches like long-term contracts or public recognition for suppliers excelling in sustainability. This is part of a broader effort to build stronger partnerships with those who share our values.”
“In addition, we have implemented a platform to monitor cases of social misconduct among our suppliers,” highlights Angela. “While these incidents are thankfully rare when they occur, we may contact the supplier to address the issue. This can sometimes lead to a follow-up, such as a third-party social audit of the company, to ensure the necessary improvements are being made. We see this as a partnership aimed at encouraging sustainable practices. While we will never tolerate serious violations like forced or child labour, minor risks can be opportunities for improvement. By offering guidance or suggesting mitigating actions, we can create long-term benefits for both parties and drive continuous progress towards sustainability,” explains Angela.
Both Koen and Angela recognise that we are still in the early stages of the sustainable sourcing journey, and the foundation being laid is crucial for long-term success. “We're currently in the early stages of translating our life cycle assessment findings into specific procurement metrics,” says Koen. “We anticipate more clarity by 2025, with full implementation by 2026. We’re also aligning with key trends and the European Union’s deforestation directive, which will significantly impact supply chains, especially for products like palm oil.”
“Sustainability is a journey, and while we're still in the early stages, staying committed is crucial,” Angela shares. “We’re making progress every day, step by step, and the foundation we’re building now is essential for the future. It’s all about setting the right course and being transparent along the way. Our efforts are evolving, but we’re fully committed to sustainable sourcing and proud to have our team on board.”
