Cocoa, Carlsberg & Chemicals: This Week's Top Five Stories
1. Airbus: Satellite Monitoring for Deforestation-Free Cocoa
Airbus and Barry Callebaut are collaborating in an effort to develop deforestation-free supply chains across international cocoa operations
Airbus Defence and Space has joined forces with chocolate and cocoa manufacturer Barry Callebaut to support the development of deforestation-free supply chains.
The partnership leverages satellite technology to provide the chocolatier with the ability to monitor its resources and help ensure environmental protection.
The collaboration could enable Barry Callebaut to maintain supply chain integrity while responding with agility to various demands that may arise.
Airbus Defence and Space focuses on creating innovative solutions for its customers.
The company works towards developing sustainable aerospace solutions, with efforts directed at creating lighter, safer and more fuel-efficient aircraft.
The partnership with Barry Callebaut centres on supporting sustainable supply chains.
Barry Callebaut has made commitments to sustainable sourcing through its 'Forever Chocolate' Programme, implementing sustainable solutions across its manufacturing processes.
The collaboration uses Airbus Defence and Space's satellite-based deforestation monitoring across Barry Callebaut's entire cocoa supply chain.
It will be using the space imagery-enabled Starling solution to monitor plantations.
“Beyond being a trusted, data-driven solution provider, Airbus is a strategic partner for Barry Callebaut in monitoring deforestation risks,” says Juliette Cody, Director for Global Sustainability Programs at Barry Callebaut.
2. What is Carlsberg's Sustainable Brewing Strategy?
Brewing company Carlsberg is improving its supply chain through regenerative farming and packaging innovations to achieve its net zero emissions goals
As a leading global brewing company, Carlsberg is embedding sustainability into its corporate strategy focusing on key areas of the food and drink value chain.
Carlsberg's efforts centre on reducing plastic waste through packaging redesign and enhancing recycling, while also supporting a transition towards regenerative agriculture for its raw materials.
Its science-based targets have been verified in line with the 1.5°C level of the Paris Agreement.
Carlsberg launched its enhanced ESG programme, Together Towards ZERO and Beyond (TTZAB), which sets out its 2030 targets and introduces a new objective for 2040.
Carlsberg's ZERO Carbon Footprint ambition includes a goal of achieving zero carbon emissions at its breweries and securing a 30% reduction in its value chain emissions by 2030.
Its long-term target is to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its entire value chain by 2040.
To reach these goals, Carlsberg is working to decarbonise its thermal energy usage by converting boilers from natural gas to renewable thermal fuels or electrification.
Carlsberg also ensures any additional renewable electricity is sourced from on-site generation or procured through Power Purchase Agreements.
Peter Hammarstedt, CEO of Carlsberg Sweden, says: “We are constantly working to take concrete steps towards a more sustainable business.”
3. Virgin Wines Uses AI to Personalise Customer Recommendations
The online wine retailer is partnering with sensorial AI specialist Preferabli to sharpen digital marketing and improve the member journey
Virgin Wines is beginning to use AI to provide its customers with tailored wine recommendations, announcing a partnership with product discovery software firm Preferabli that uses AI to help guide consumers to wines they are most likely to enjoy. The collaboration aims to better understand the taste of each customer.
This partnership is part of a long-term digital transformation strategy for Virgin Wines, one of the UK's largest online wine retailers. The initial phase will focus on enhancing the experience for its WineBank members.
“Our ambition is to create a shopping journey that feels personal, intelligent and uniquely supportive of each customer’s tastes,” says Danny Cooper, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Virgin Wines.
Danny adds: “Preferabli’s industry-leading machine-learning technology enables Virgin Wines to deliver a more intuitive, relevant and confidence-building experience at every touchpoint.”
4. Toxic Food-Borne Chemicals Cause Trillions in Health Damage
A report from Systemiq reveals that phthalates, bisphenols, pesticides and PFAs in food systems lead to up to US$2.2tn in public health costs every year
A report from Systemiq reveals that four groups of toxic chemicals present in the global food system could be causing major damage to public health.
The study 'Invisible Ingredients' states that phthalates, bisphenols, pesticides and PFAs are contributing to epidemics of preventable disease, fertility loss and environmental damage globally.
According to Systemiq, these four chemical groups are common in food networks and action is too infrequently taken to prevent contamination.
The report estimates that these toxic substances place an unnecessary strain of between US$1.4tn and US$2.2tn on public health systems each year, which is roughly 2-3% of global GDP in avoidable costs.
Sian Sutherland, Co-Founder of A Plastic Planet and the Plastic Health Council, says: "The findings reveal a global failure of governance.
"We are effectively living in a chemical Wild West where substances are unleashed into our food system long before anyone proves they're safe."
5. Inside the Supply Chain Issues for the Food Industry
Container losses at sea expose the shipping industry’s hidden crisis - fuelling marine pollution, disrupting trade and testing supply chain resilience
The shipping industry’s ongoing struggle with container losses at sea exposes a complex web of environmental impacts and supply chain vulnerabilities that stretch far beyond the moment cargo goes overboard.
Each year, thousands of containers disappear beneath the waves, turning isolated shipping mishaps into lasting sources of pollution that persist for decades – while disrupting the flow of global food and drink trade.
The forces behind these losses combine nature’s unpredictability with human and technical error. Rough seas, high winds and heavy swells pose immediate threats, especially when containers are mis-stacked or poorly secured.
Fatigue, miscommunication and complacency during loading add to the danger, while mechanical problems such as valve malfunctions or uneven weight distribution can trigger cascading failures.
Joe Kramek, President & CEO of the World Shipping Council (WSC) says: "Even one container lost is one too many.”
