Minnesota-based, Global Pioneer Attains One of Its Sustainability Goals
EDEN PRAIRIE, July 26, 2022—SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a Minnesota-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages, today announced it has achieved zero waste[1] to landfill at its two Alexandria-based manufacturing facilities.
Alexandria is the most recent location of SunOpta’s zero waste facilities to reach this goal. SunOpta’s Allentown, Penn. facility attained zero waste in 2021. By the end of 2022, SunOpta is targeting all twelve of its manufacturing facilities around the world to be zero waste to landfill.
SunOpta achieved zero waste to landfill at its two Alexandria facilities by reusing and recycling materials such as batteries, metals, oils, pallets, bulk bags, and barrels. For example, SunOpta recycled 100,000 pounds of scrap metal, and additionally reused more than 11,000 pallets, which saved natural resources as well as costs.
“Anything that cannot be reused, recycled or upcycled is turned into energy to power the hospital, technical school, and manufacturing plant right in the community,” said Joe Gerhardt, Third Avenue plant manager, SunOpta. “We have trained ourselves to think and act with the ‘zero waste’ mindset to make sustainability a reality.”
“As a sustainable, plant-based food and beverage company, we’re proud to achieve this sustainability goal in Alexandria,” said Cody Emery, Minnesota Street plant manager, SunOpta. “Sustainability is personally important to me because I want to ensure all the natural resources around us in our beautiful state are here for my son and the next generation.”
In 2020, SunOpta made a $26 million investment to make oatmilk at its Third Avenue facility, underscoring the importance of the company’s presence in Alexandria. SunOpta has ambitious goals to double its plant-based business by 2025, with a significant focus on oatmilk. For decades, SunOpta has collaborated with some of the most planet-friendly brands, including the largest coffee shop chain in the world, to supply oatmilk and other plant-based, non-dairy alternatives.
Zero waste is just one of SunOpta’s aggressive sustainability goals. Earlier this year, SunOpta released its 2021 ESG report, outlining progress and a path forward across four key areas: products, planet, people, and governance. The SunOpta sustainability strategy includes carbon emission savings, recyclable packaging, upcycling food waste, and water conservation.
About SunOpta, Inc.
SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is a Minnesota-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages. With its deep roots and dynamic growth, SunOpta today leads innovation to positively impact people and the planet. Specifically, SunOpta manufactures organic, non-GMO, plant-based, and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. SunOpta operates as a co-manufacturer for leading brands and a manufacturer for private label and ingredients. SunOpta also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN®, Dream™, West Life™, and Sunrise Growers™. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com and LinkedIn.
[1] SunOpta has adopted a zero waste definition as 90% diversion of waste from landfill.
EDEN PRAIRIE, July 26, 2022—SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a Minnesota-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages, today announced it has achieved zero waste[1] to landfill at its two Alexandria-based manufacturing facilities.
Alexandria is the most recent location of SunOpta’s zero waste facilities to reach this goal. SunOpta’s Allentown, Penn. facility attained zero waste in 2021. By the end of 2022, SunOpta is targeting all twelve of its manufacturing facilities around the world to be zero waste to landfill.
SunOpta achieved zero waste to landfill at its two Alexandria facilities by reusing and recycling materials such as batteries, metals, oils, pallets, bulk bags, and barrels. For example, SunOpta recycled 100,000 pounds of scrap metal, and additionally reused more than 11,000 pallets, which saved natural resources as well as costs.
“Anything that cannot be reused, recycled or upcycled is turned into energy to power the hospital, technical school, and manufacturing plant right in the community,” said Joe Gerhardt, Third Avenue plant manager, SunOpta. “We have trained ourselves to think and act with the ‘zero waste’ mindset to make sustainability a reality.”
“As a sustainable, plant-based food and beverage company, we’re proud to achieve this sustainability goal in Alexandria,” said Cody Emery, Minnesota Street plant manager, SunOpta. “Sustainability is personally important to me because I want to ensure all the natural resources around us in our beautiful state are here for my son and the next generation.”
In 2020, SunOpta made a $26 million investment to make oatmilk at its Third Avenue facility, underscoring the importance of the company’s presence in Alexandria. SunOpta has ambitious goals to double its plant-based business by 2025, with a significant focus on oatmilk. For decades, SunOpta has collaborated with some of the most planet-friendly brands, including the largest coffee shop chain in the world, to supply oatmilk and other plant-based, non-dairy alternatives.
Zero waste is just one of SunOpta’s aggressive sustainability goals. Earlier this year, SunOpta released its 2021 ESG report, outlining progress and a path forward across four key areas: products, planet, people, and governance. The SunOpta sustainability strategy includes carbon emission savings, recyclable packaging, upcycling food waste, and water conservation.
About SunOpta, Inc.
SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is a Minnesota-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages. With its deep roots and dynamic growth, SunOpta today leads innovation to positively impact people and the planet. Specifically, SunOpta manufactures organic, non-GMO, plant-based, and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. SunOpta operates as a co-manufacturer for leading brands and a manufacturer for private label and ingredients. SunOpta also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN®, Dream™, West Life™, and Sunrise Growers™. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com and LinkedIn.
[1] SunOpta has adopted a zero waste definition as 90% diversion of waste from landfill.
Global Pioneer Fuels the Future of Food, Wins Large Company Category of Annual Poll
MINNEAPOLIS, June 29, 2022—SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages, today announced it has been named 2022 R&D Team of the Year, large company category, by Food Processing magazine.
Since 2009, Food Processing has been conducting the R&D Teams of the Year poll, with winners selected by Food Processing readers and website visitors. Past large-company winners have included General Mills, Hormel, Unilever USA, Conagra, Kraft Heinz and Tyson.
“True innovation remains hard to come by, and companies achieving it should be lauded for their efforts,” said Dave Fusaro, editor-in-chief, Food Processing. “We are delighted to present SunOpta as the 2022 R&D Team of the year, large company category.”
SunOpta recently unveiled its new 65,000 square-foot, $20M global headquarters and innovation center in Eden Prairie, Minn. SunOpta’s new home was designed to accelerate the speed of innovation, foster collaboration and model the company’s sustainability heritage to positively impact people and the planet. The move is a key investment to achieving strategic business and growth goals, including doubling the plant-based business by 2025.
SunOpta’s new headquarters and innovation center, featuring a pilot plant and R&D center eight times the size of its previous location, will further expand co-manufacturing, private label, ingredient and branded product offerings across all categories. Additional R&D features include replicas of customer barista bars for product development and tasting.
Anchored by its 28-person R&D team for plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages, SunOpta launched nearly 70 innovations in 2021, including multiple applications for its 40% concentrated Oatbase, SOWN® organic oat creamer, OatGold™ Certified Upcycled™ oat powder ingredient and Sunrise Growers organic smoothie bowls.
“Innovation for our customers and consumers as well as building strong technical expertise are two of our competitive advantages. These strengths have helped us deliver over 50% revenue growth in the last 36 months in our plant-based segment,” said Joe Ennen, CEO, SunOpta. “Being a preferred R&D supplier is a very strategic consideration for our customers and we’re proud to have the best team in the business."
“No one does innovation like SunOpta – from co-manufacturing to private label and ingredients to our own branded products – this team truly is stellar and this award is a strong proof point,” said Bryan Clark, Senior Vice President of Research & Development and Quality Assurance at SunOpta.
About SunOpta, Inc.
SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages. Founded nearly 50 years ago, SunOpta manufactures natural, organic and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. SunOpta operates as a manufacturer for leading natural and private label brands, and also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN™, Dream™, West Life™ and Sunrise Growers™. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com and LinkedIn.
MINNEAPOLIS, June 29, 2022—SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages, today announced it has been named 2022 R&D Team of the Year, large company category, by Food Processing magazine.
Since 2009, Food Processing has been conducting the R&D Teams of the Year poll, with winners selected by Food Processing readers and website visitors. Past large-company winners have included General Mills, Hormel, Unilever USA, Conagra, Kraft Heinz and Tyson.
“True innovation remains hard to come by, and companies achieving it should be lauded for their efforts,” said Dave Fusaro, editor-in-chief, Food Processing. “We are delighted to present SunOpta as the 2022 R&D Team of the year, large company category.”
SunOpta recently unveiled its new 65,000 square-foot, $20M global headquarters and innovation center in Eden Prairie, Minn. SunOpta’s new home was designed to accelerate the speed of innovation, foster collaboration and model the company’s sustainability heritage to positively impact people and the planet. The move is a key investment to achieving strategic business and growth goals, including doubling the plant-based business by 2025.
SunOpta’s new headquarters and innovation center, featuring a pilot plant and R&D center eight times the size of its previous location, will further expand co-manufacturing, private label, ingredient and branded product offerings across all categories. Additional R&D features include replicas of customer barista bars for product development and tasting.
Anchored by its 28-person R&D team for plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages, SunOpta launched nearly 70 innovations in 2021, including multiple applications for its 40% concentrated Oatbase, SOWN® organic oat creamer, OatGold™ Certified Upcycled™ oat powder ingredient and Sunrise Growers organic smoothie bowls.
“Innovation for our customers and consumers as well as building strong technical expertise are two of our competitive advantages. These strengths have helped us deliver over 50% revenue growth in the last 36 months in our plant-based segment,” said Joe Ennen, CEO, SunOpta. “Being a preferred R&D supplier is a very strategic consideration for our customers and we’re proud to have the best team in the business."
“No one does innovation like SunOpta – from co-manufacturing to private label and ingredients to our own branded products – this team truly is stellar and this award is a strong proof point,” said Bryan Clark, Senior Vice President of Research & Development and Quality Assurance at SunOpta.
About SunOpta, Inc.
SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages. Founded nearly 50 years ago, SunOpta manufactures natural, organic and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. SunOpta operates as a manufacturer for leading natural and private label brands, and also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN™, Dream™, West Life™ and Sunrise Growers™. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com and LinkedIn.