Collagen protein manufacturer Gelita has published its 2018 Sustainability Report. The document contains information on Gelita’s activities and presents the measures taken by the company for resource efficient production and a safe working environment, as well as describing social initiatives at the sites and describes the overall progress made in 2018. The company says that sustainability is “firmly anchored” in Gelita’s strategy.

“At Gelita, sustainable action and economic success are closely linked and mutually dependent. We see sustainability as a key competitive factor, and continue to work hard to consolidate our leading position in the industry in this area,” says Dr. Franz Josef Konert, Gelita CEO.

A top priority for Gelita is reducing energy consumption and improving CO2 balance. To boost its resource-saving processes as much as possible, at over 20 of its locations, the company utilizes innovative technical equipment, processes and manufacturing technologies. Among other things, the company has invested in the installation of modern spray towers. 

In the past, spray drying, a processing step in the production of collagen peptides, was often outsourced to external suppliers. By relocating this process to its own plants, Gelita reduced the energy requirements for this step of the process by 10 percent. As a result, the environmental impact of transports was reported to have decreased. Other projects included measures to reduce water consumption and wastewater treatment, to prevent waste, and to reduce air pollution.

Building upon a reduction in energy consumption and CO2 emissions, the company also managed to significantly reduce water consumption, the volume of waste and wastewater, as well as other climate-damaging emissions. 

According to the company, all products manufactured by Gelita are made from natural animal raw materials obtained from the by-products of meat production. The company has been supporting the Tierwohl animal welfare initiative as a supporting member since 2018. The aim of the initiative is to anchor animal welfare in agriculture, the meat industry and food retailing.

“On account of our ethical and social responsibility, we ensure that as much as possible of the slaughtered animal that is fit for human consumption is used meaningfully. By processing animal raw materials into high-quality, natural foods, Gelita makes a significant contribution to a sustainable value creation chain,” says Michael Teppner, Head of Marketing and Communication at Gelita.

As a member of the European Gelatine Association (GME), Gelita is also committed to animal welfare in livestock farming. The association represents about 98 percent of the European and roughly one-third of global gelatine production.

The company also invests in the research and development of innovative products. The main focus is of course on collagen peptides. In nutritional supplements, foods and beverages, Gelita’s ingredients support the development of powerful muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and bones. Collagen peptides, therefore, support an active lifestyle and promote quality of life.