Sustainability initiatives are changing the product development game—learn how to get ready to win.
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We live in a time in which multiple forces are pushing the food and beverage sector towards the goal of creating a safer, healthier world. Major regulatory bodies across the globe continue to develop frameworks for greenhouse gas reduction, reduction in global forest loss, and the elimination of exploitive labour practices worldwide. Meanwhile, retailers and consumers are demanding products that are healthier for shoppers and the planet.
As such, the food and beverage industry is undergoing a major shift in priorities as brands, manufacturers, and suppliers worldwide rise to the challenge of increasingly aggressive sustainability goals. They’re driven by the clear and present danger of climate change, but they’re also seizing a real opportunity for competitive advantage in the marketplace. New category leaders are poised to emerge, moving quickly to capitalize on consumer needs while navigating evolving regulations.
Sustainability initiatives impact product development
Balancing new product innovation with cross-department priorities—quality, safety, regulatory, procurement costs, etc.—has always been a delicate dance well known by R&D teams. Environmental and social sustainability goals add yet another layer of complexities, introducing new considerations for product development teams.
These are exciting changes for the industry—and also full of challenges. Not every organization is poised to win. This ebook will offer insights on where to look for opportunities, things to watch for, and strategies for pulling ahead in a dynamic marketplace. Let’s get started!
Download now to learn:
- How environmental metrics are changing product design
- How to infuse sustainability requirements at product inception
- How to power sustainability lifecycle analysis and supplier performance
- How to create more agility during formulation
- How to foster partnerships that drive sustainability forward
A SNEAK PREVIEW
The Importance of Lifecycle Analysis
According to a number of studies, as much as 80% of greenhouse gas emissions associated with a given product arise not within the manufacturer’s direct operations, but in the external supply chain. Creating sustainable products requires brands to consider the complete lifecycle of that product, from initial raw materials all the way through to disposal of waste and packaging. The reality is that it’s entirely possible for a given ingredient to look good through a local lens, but to be problematic when considered in terms of total lifecycle impact.
To address this, it’s increasingly imperative to create product-level lifecycle analyses (LCAs) that can provide an aggregate view of the environmental impact of a product, including all the ingredients required to make it. Developing product-level LCAs involves a detailed assessment of each product’s sourcing, production, and consumption lifecycle to understand its environmental impact fully. This requires gathering data on raw materials, production, distribution, use, and disposal, and factoring that data into product formulations to build an understanding of product impact on a unit basis.
of greenhouse gas emissions associated with a given product arise not within manufacturer’s direct operations, but in the external supply chain
Of course, the inherent challenge in developing LCAs is an obvious one: data collection across the complex lifecycle of a product and its ingredients can be a significant task. Obtaining accurate, primary data (i.e. data pertaining directly to a specific, real-world item or process) for every input and output of a product value chain can be daunting, particularly for busy teams already operating in the generally low-margin world of food and beverage. However, it’s important to understand…
More resources for a more sustainable industry
If you’re doing a deep dive on this topic, we’ve got more resources to share. Specifically, The 2024 Food Industry ESG Survival Guide, which includes up-to-date information on all relevant legislation, trends, and future-proofing tactics.
