Tetra Pak and SADAFCO Forge Ahead with Sustainable Innovations in Saudi's Food Sector
Source: The DairyNews
The nearly four-decade partnership between Tetra Pak and the Saudi Dairy and Foodstuff Company (SADAFCO) exemplifies a successful alliance in the food and beverage industry, advancing sustainability and food security initiatives in line with Saudi Vision 2030. This collaboration has yielded tangible results in reducing environmental impact and enhancing resource efficiency within the Kingdom.
Since January 2023, the partnership has achieved a notable reduction in packaging waste, with a decrease of 16,000 kg. This effort is part of a broader strategy to minimize waste, where Tetra Pak has assisted SADAFCO in reducing monthly packaging waste from 16.19 tons in 2022 to 15.21 tons in 2023. The waste is managed internally by SADAFCO before being processed at recycling facilities operated by Obeikan Paper Industries and Saudi Top Plastics Factory, Tetra Pak's partners.
Furthermore, the collaboration has significantly improved water recycling at SADAFCO’s main facility in Jeddah, achieving an annual recycling rate of 10 million liters. Innovations include enhanced cleaning processes for packaging machinery, which now allow for multiple machines to be cleaned simultaneously, substantially saving water, chemicals, and time. The partners have also optimized the use of cooling water in sterile tank jackets, which is now reused in a closed-loop system.
In a broader community engagement effort, Tetra Pak and SADAFCO initiated a three-month educational program involving 250 schools across Riyadh and Jeddah. The program, reaching approximately 125,000 students, aims to foster a culture of environmental responsibility and recycling among the youth. It includes the distribution and later collection of recycling bins made from recycled Tetra Pak cartons in schools, with about 23,000 milk cartons recycled through this initiative.
Patrick Stillhart, CEO of SADAFCO, emphasizes the company’s commitment to sustainability, stating in an interview with "Al-Riyadh" that their operations focus on delivering high-quality, healthy food products while prioritizing environmental stewardship. SADAFCO’s product range includes long-life milk, tomato paste, and ice cream under the 'Saudia' and 'Crispy' brands.
Niels Hougaard, General Manager of Tetra Pak in the Arab region, told "Al-Riyadh" about the company's ongoing sustainability efforts, highlighted by the "Go Nature Go Carton" campaign. This campaign reflects Tetra Pak's commitment to leading the industry towards sustainable practices across its operations, product development, and corporate activities, emphasizing a holistic approach to food safety, quality control, and future food security.
Furthermore, the collaboration has significantly improved water recycling at SADAFCO’s main facility in Jeddah, achieving an annual recycling rate of 10 million liters. Innovations include enhanced cleaning processes for packaging machinery, which now allow for multiple machines to be cleaned simultaneously, substantially saving water, chemicals, and time. The partners have also optimized the use of cooling water in sterile tank jackets, which is now reused in a closed-loop system.
In a broader community engagement effort, Tetra Pak and SADAFCO initiated a three-month educational program involving 250 schools across Riyadh and Jeddah. The program, reaching approximately 125,000 students, aims to foster a culture of environmental responsibility and recycling among the youth. It includes the distribution and later collection of recycling bins made from recycled Tetra Pak cartons in schools, with about 23,000 milk cartons recycled through this initiative.
Patrick Stillhart, CEO of SADAFCO, emphasizes the company’s commitment to sustainability, stating in an interview with "Al-Riyadh" that their operations focus on delivering high-quality, healthy food products while prioritizing environmental stewardship. SADAFCO’s product range includes long-life milk, tomato paste, and ice cream under the 'Saudia' and 'Crispy' brands.
Niels Hougaard, General Manager of Tetra Pak in the Arab region, told "Al-Riyadh" about the company's ongoing sustainability efforts, highlighted by the "Go Nature Go Carton" campaign. This campaign reflects Tetra Pak's commitment to leading the industry towards sustainable practices across its operations, product development, and corporate activities, emphasizing a holistic approach to food safety, quality control, and future food security.
