Responsible company
Palsgaard is driven by the objectives of its owner, the Schou Foundation, and the needs and preferences of our customers. We promote transparency and accountability in all aspects of our operations, never losing sight of our responsibility as a global business working in an international community.
Palsgaard is a signatory of the UN Global Compact and aligns itself with the 10 principles set out by the UN Global Compact, addressing human rights, employee welfare, environment and anti-corruption. Our mission, vision, values and policies support these principles, and our CSR report also functions as our annual Communication on Progress (COP).
We aim to exclusively work with ethical and responsible suppliers that recognise and support the UN Global Compact's principles. We are guided by the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact together with a number of internal policies.
CSR policies
Palsgaard has formalised seven policies that guide our activities and help us achieve our objectives. These policies closely reflect our commitment to the UN Global Compact principles, and to comply with EU and local regulations in the countries in which we operate.
- Code of conduct
- Environmental policy
- Product and quality policy
- Procurement policy
- Employee policy
- Supplier code of conduct
- Anti-Corruption Guidelines
- Whistleblowing policy
Supporting the UN SDGs
The UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda outlines 17 SDGs to guide companies in advancing broader societal goals, emphasising collaboration and innovation. The goals are interconnected and address poverty, the environment and human rights.
Palsgaard has conducted a thorough analysis of each goal’s targets to identify those where we can make an authentic and worthwhile difference, this includes:
- Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
- Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
- Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
- Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
- Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
- Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Read more about how we support the UN SDGs here (in English).
Responsible production
CO2-neutral emulsifiers
The production of emulsifiers and emulsifier/stabiliser systems is highly energy-intensive. In 2010 we set ourselves the ambitious goal of achieving a worldwide zero-carbon footprint in all our production facilities across the globe by 2020. We are proud to have achieved this already in 2018, two years ahead of schedule. Read more about how we achieved CO2-neutral production here (in English).
Reduced water and energy consumption
We work hard every day to keep our environmental footprint as small as possible. As an example, we achieved a 9% global reduction in water usage and a 5% global reduction in energy usage per kg finished product in 2019.
Responsible products
Sustainable ingredients are an important component of the long-term economic and financial viability of food manufacturers – and it’s part of our role as a business partner to help food manufacturers make that change. That's why our entire range of palm-based emulsifiers can be produced using 100% RSPO certified segregated (SG) palm oil.
Palsgaard has been a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) since 2008. And we strongly recommend our partners and customers support the RSPO system, addressing an essential issue for the global environment, for biodiversity and for the working conditions of local plantation workers.
Responsible sourcing
Supplier management has long been an integral component of our quality assurance system. Our Supplier Code of Conduct, Responsible Sourcing Programme and our corporate culture and ethics, dictate supplier due diligence and define the CSR requirements we set for suppliers and partners.
Our Responsible Sourcing Programme is managed by headquarters, which sources 98% of all raw materials. Suppliers in the top 85% of our supplier spend are assessed under this programme. The percentage of suppliers within this category who have been assessed has increased significantly during the past years.
