CSR

Corporate social responsibility, ruled by heart and head

Duni is continuing with its corporate social responsibility work. The Company’s corporate social responsibility program, Our Blue Mission, contains targets and work methods extending until 2020.

Fossil-free energy project

Duni attaches great importance to having good working conditions at its manufacturing plants, a limited impact on the environment, as well as safe and hygienic products. One important objective in Duni’s sustainability work is for the Company’s production to be 100% fossil-free by 2020. Together with the regional cluster organization The Paper Province, Valmet AB, Karlstad University, Södra Skog and Svenskt Gastekniskt Center AB, during the year Duni initiated a project aimed at finding a new way of allowing soft paper to be dried without the use of fossil fuel.

The drying process constitutes an energy-intensive stage in the manufacture of paper products, such as napkins. Presently, natural gas (LPG) is used in this process, but the possibility is now being investigated of manufacturing gas on-site from biomass. The Swedish Energy Agency considers the project to be innovative and, during the year, granted support to the pilot project. If the technology proves to be viable, this will allow Duni’s own production to be 90% fossil-free. The project represents a success factor in Duni’s sustainability work and can lead to a substantial reduction in dependence on fossil fuel, in favor of locally-produced biomass.

Compostable material

Duni aims to be a leader on the market for compostable and renewable (i.e. plant-based) material. During the year, two innovative products were launched – the world’s largest range of compostable, single-color napkins and tablecoverings bearing the OK Compost® marking, as well as the biomaterial, ecoecho™ bioplastic. Both are the result of many years’ development work.

Duni’s OK Compost-marked products are the first compostable range on the market to include napkins and tablecoverings. The marking guarantees that the napkins and tablecoverings are biologically decomposable in an industrial composting facility. In other words, restaurants do not need to separately sort out napkins and tablecoverings. Duni’s products meet the European standard (EN 13432) for sorting together with food waste. The products have been launched on a large scale on the market and have been positively received by Duni’s customers.

Ecoecho™ bioplastic, which is manufactured from plantlife, represents an exciting choice for a reduced environmental impact. It is a bio-based material which, in terms of function, provides the same advantages as traditional polypropylene (PP), while at the same time being recyclable like ordinary plastic. The material is initially being used in Duni’s sealable take-away trays for Duniform®, and several products are in the pipeline.

Social responsibility, inwardly and outwards

For many years, Duni has been working to ensure good social and safety conditions at its suppliers’, as well as in its own operations. Duni’s code of conduct, which is based on the ILO’s principles, is regularly monitored through audits conducted by Duni at its suppliers. As regards Duni’s own operations, internal involvement and commitment are crucial for realizing the objectives. Duni is striving to establish a broad sustainability awareness mindset throughout the Company – in matters large and small. An internal CSR competition was arranged in order to stimulate involvement. Employees were able to nominate implemented activities and propose new CSR activities. Duni intends to repeat the competition next year as well. Duni’s social responsibility is linked to the Company’s core business – creating a pleasant atmosphere and positive mood on all occasions when food and drink are prepared and served – a Goodfoodmood®. Together with the Min Stora Dag (My Big Day) Foundation, during the year Duni chose to arrange a weekend for some 20 or so enthusiastic children, in which the focus was on food. Min Stora Dag is a foundation whose primary aim is to help realize the dreams of sick children. Several children had dreams of preparing food together with a celebrity chef, and Duni naturally wanted to help make the children’s dreams come true.

2020 targets for Duni’s CSR work

100%

The energy used in Duni’s production processes shall be 100% fossil-free.

20%

A 20% reduction in energy use.

100%

There shall be renewable or compostable alternatives in 100% of Duni’s product groups.

0%

There shall be no complaints about products with potential health hazards.

80%

Monitored suppliers shall account for 80% of the value of raw materials and end products.

100%

All new suppliers of end products shall be monitored.

100%

All employees shall be involved in improvements, be familiar with our ethical rules, and participate in the work on issues concerning values.