At Ingredion, our focus has always been on the needs of our customers, their consumers and the communities we serve as a whole. As we work across the various functions within our industry, sustainability continues to emerge as a key enabler in driving growth for not only our business, but our customers' businesses as well. We continuously seek to advance the progress of our sustainability goals and work tirelessly to develop tailored solutions for our customers to meet theirs.

Ingredion’s 2023 Sustainability Report provides a comprehensive update on the company’s progress towards our sustainability goals and commitments, particularly those outlined in our 2030 All Life Plan. As we navigate the rapidly changing sustainability landscape, Ingredion remains committed to bold innovation, the development of new approaches and technologies and deeper collaboration with our partners to advance our collective sustainability initiatives. The report reflects significant progress towards the 2030 All Life Plan and underscores our resolve to creating a sustainable future for the planet and its people.

Business strategy and sustainability

In 2023, we refined our business strategy to better align with the evolving needs of consumers and the broader industry. This strategic enhancement calls attention to the critical role of sustainability in driving business growth. The company has made substantial investments in sustainability, which are evident in various activities across our operations. For instance, the commissioning of biomass boilers in Brazil and the installation of solar panels at multiple global sites demonstrate Ingredion’s dedication to sustainable energy solutions. Additionally, we have engaged in co-investments in regenerative agriculture with some of our strategic customers, further solidifying our dedication to sustainable practices.

Global sustainability practices have seen significant change in recent years, driven by emerging regulations and evolving market expectations. Notable regulatory developments include the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Climate Change rule. These regulations, along with a growing array of voluntary standards and heightened expectations from customers and stakeholders, present both challenges and opportunities for Ingredion. We view this dynamic environment as a chance to forge new paths forward, create cutting-edge solutions and strengthen our partnerships to further our sustainability goals together.

A clearer view of sustainable formulation 

Ingredion has always been an innovation-driven company, delivering solutions that help customers create better products aligned with consumer trends. In the context of sustainability, this focus on innovation becomes even more crucial. The food industry faces the daunting challenge of feeding a growing global population while managing costs, respecting human rights and minimising environmental impact.

Ingredion is well-positioned to address these challenges by providing sustainable and innovative solutions across the food and beverage supply chain, and one way we’re doing that is through our continued partnership with HowGood, the world’s largest product sustainability database. In 2023, our work with HowGood proved valuable for assessing the sustainability impact of ingredients and addressing multiple business needs. Combining HowGood’s data with Ingredion’s proprietary ATLAS Simulator, which mimics consumer purchasing behaviour to uncover optimal combinations of ingredients, provided unique market and consumer insights, aiding customers in making informed sustainable formulation decisions.

Environmental impact progress

Last year, Ingredion made remarkable progress towards our Environmental Impact endeavours. We achieved significant reductions in carbon emissions, made strides in reducing water use intensity and increased the use of renewable electricity. In fact, renewable electricity accounted for approximately 25% of Ingredion’s global purchased electricity, with the largest year-over-year increases observed in Brazil and China. 

Moreover, we initiated on-site solar generation at two plants in Pakistan and began installing additional floating and land solar panels in Thailand. Perhaps the most significant projects of 2023 involved the commissioning of renewable biomass boilers at the Mogi Guaçu and Balsa Nova plants in Brazil. These initiatives are integral to Ingredion’s global carbon reduction strategy and reflect the company’s proactive approach to sustainable energy solutions.

Sustainable and regenerative agriculture

Ingredion is a founding member of the Sustainable Ag Initiative (SAI) Platform’s Regenerative Together framework, which aims to standardise regenerative agriculture practices across the food and beverage industry. This global framework focuses on four key environmental impact areas: soil health, water, biodiversity and climate. By aligning the industry behind a shared definition of regenerative agriculture and a common set of outcomes, the framework facilitates the transition to regenerative practices, and we view this progress as a crucial step towards scaling regenerative agriculture with our suppliers.

With sustainable and regenerative agriculture central to Ingredion’s sustainability efforts, we recognise the importance of supporting a climate-resilient supply chain and helping customers meet their sustainability aspirations. Last year, we achieved 66.8% progress towards our goal of sustainably sourcing 100% of Tier 1 priority crops (corn, tapioca, potatoes, stevia, and peas/pulses) by 2025. Of that 66.8% of crops that were sustainably sourced globally, we’re pleased to share that 14.6% of growers achieved SAI Platform’s FSA Gold level by demonstrating the highest levels of sustainable agriculture. Further illustrating Ingredion’s commitment to sustainable ag, we also reached our goal of 100% sustainably sourced global waxy corn this past year as part of the broader effort.

Read the full 2023 Sustainability Report and learn more about our approach to sustainability and how Ingredion can help your company measurably advance your ESG outcomes.