Oterra launches 2030 Sustainability Strategy

The ingredient provider's plan focuses on nature, climate, and people.

Oterra, a producer of natural colors and color solutions for confectionery and other industries, has released its 2030 Sustainability Strategy. The plan sets out ambitious targets to reduce the company’s impact while keeping pace with the growing demand for colors sourced from natural ingredients, the company notes.

The strategy has three focus areas: Nature, Climate and People. Each target is a step toward a more resilient, transparent, and sustainable company, Oterra says.

“We believe that working with nature, not against, it drives efficiency, resilience, and long-term growth. Our 2030 Sustainability Strategy reflects this conviction. It is a roadmap for strengthening our operations, safeguarding our supply chain, and creating real value for our business, customers, partners, and society,” says Oterra CEO Martin Sonntag.

The strategy includes goals for no deforestation, water stewardship, waste recycled or reused, SBTi validated greenhouse gas targets, energy efficiency and gender distribution targets, health and safety, business integrity, and responsible sourcing.

Focus on ecosystems

“Nature, Climate, and People are interconnected and our strategy reflects that. The goals build on a foundation of protecting ecosystems, reducing GHG emissions, forging impactful partnerships, and advancing responsible sourcing practices,” says Oterra’s Head of Global Sustainability Vera Karmeback.

Protecting the natural systems that grow raw materials is both a responsibility and a strategic imperative for Oterra. Healthy soils strengthen yields, water availability underpins the supply chain, and biodiversity ensures long-term resilience.

Lowering emissions

Awareness of colors sourced from natural ingredients has grown in recent years. Oterra’s strategy aims to meet this rising demand while reducing absolute GHG emissions, achieving the difficult but necessary decoupling of business growth from emissions.

“Since 2022 we have reduced direct emissions by 20% and have moved to 100% renewable electricity. Looking ahead, we are committed to achieving net zero, with a clear near-term focus on meeting our 2030 targets of reducing our total greenhouse gas emissions by 28% as a critical first milestone,” Karmeback adds.

"A big part of our 2030 emissions roadmap is what we call ‘carbon farming’ – decarbonization initiatives in partnership with our farmers and suppliers, such as reducing the use of non-organic fertilizers or improving soils so they store more carbon," she finishes.

Oterra’s 2030 Sustainability Strategy can be downloaded from the Oterra website.