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.
SunOpta reported strong progress across four areas – products, planet, people and governance – as it seeks to double plant-based business by 2025
Sustainable food and beverage company achieved zero waste to landfill at three plant-based facilities
MINNEAPOLIS—April 25, 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, is proud to release its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. This annual update outlines progress made in the 2021 fiscal year, and the steps the company is taking to identify a path forward across four key areas: products, planet, people and governance.
In 2020, SunOpta committed to reduce electricity by 40%, natural gas by 30% and water use by 25% over an eight-year period. The company in 2021 achieved zero waste at three plant-based beverage manufacturing facilities and enlisted internal staff and external consultants to track energy reduction goals. SunOpta seeks to double its plant-based business from 2020 to 2025, and will create real change responsibly, while transparently sharing ESG efforts.
“SunOpta was founded as a sustainable company and sustainability has always been at the core of what we do. We have created actionable next steps and a clear path forward to continue on our journey,” said Joe Ennen, CEO of SunOpta. “In addition to being a global pioneer in the sustainable categories of plant-based and fruit-based food and beverage and reducing our carbon footprint with less water, land and emissions compared to dairy-based alternatives, we are also making progress on other initiatives including upcycled ingredients, zero waste and local and regional production as we continue to fuel the future of food.”
Highlights from the 2021 report include:
- Products
- 44 of SunOpta’s branded products are enrolled in The Non-GMO Project.
- SunOpta manufactures more than 300 organic products, including 29 of its own branded products.
- Due to its close proximity to customers across North America, SunOpta’s fourth plant-based production facility in Midlothian, Texas will help eliminate an estimated 15 million freight miles annually, reducing carbon emissions.
- Planet
- Three facilities achieved zero waste to landfill in Allentown, Pa. and Alexandria, Minn.
- 7% of all packaging by weight sourced by SunOpta was recyclable.
- 25 tons of carbon emissions were saved by optimizing transportation.
- SunOpta improved energy efficiency by 6% compared to its 2019 baseline.
- SunOpta’s new headquarters and innovation center utilizes 13,000 square feet of renewable bamboo flooring, 920 LED light fixtures and four electric vehicle charging stations; solar panels will offset more than 30% of electricity once operational.
- People
- The percentage of female leaders at the director level and above rose to 37%, with a goal of 45% by 2025.
- The percentage of racially diverse salaried employees was 24% in 2021, with a goal of 30% by 2026.
- Governance
- 33% of SunOpta’s Board of Director members are female.
- For accountability on sustainability practices, SunOpta created a Sustainability Steering Committee to gather and analyze data and explore opportunities for ESG improvements.
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.
Global pioneer upsizes with a focus on innovation to fuel its growth ambitions, seeks to double its plant-based business from 2020 to 2025
Proudly calls Eden Prairie, Minn. home
MINNEAPOLIS—April 4, 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 unveiled its new 65,000 square-foot global headquarters and eco-powered 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 space, featuring a pilot plant and a research and development center eight times the size of its previous location, will further expand co-manufacturing, private label, ingredient and branded product offerings across all categories.
The sustainably-designed, eco-friendly workplace is a key investment to achieving strategic business and growth goals, including doubling the plant-based business by 2025.
“Our growth ambitions required this move. We’ve grown our plant-based business by more than $100 million over the last two years through a focus on innovation and new customer development, and we expect this pace of growth to continue,” said Joe Ennen, CEO, SunOpta. “This new facility, with a full-scale pilot plant and a huge expansion of the research and development space, will allow us to aggressively develop new products and new customers.”
SunOpta hired Minneapolis firms RSP Architects and Greiner Construction to lead the building’s design and construction, respectively. Both companies brought SunOpta’s passion for sustainability to life throughout the innovative, collaborative space.
“SunOpta’s well-established green initiatives allowed us the opportunity to create a very sustainably-conscious design for their eco-friendly work environment,” said Derek McCallum, design principal of RSP Architects. “The building is utilizing so many sustainable best practices, including layering landscape both inside and out as well as generating more than 30% of its electricity needs from a large solar array.”
Additional features of the new SunOpta headquarters and innovation center include:
The new center was not only built to create a sense of community and collaboration with current employees, but also to attract top industry talent. SunOpta has a global workforce of more than 1,400 employees across 14 locations in three North American countries, including more than 150 at its new location.
“Collaboration and innovation go hand in hand,” continued Ennen. “While other companies are downsizing their office spaces, SunOpta is upsizing to achieve our growth ambitions by encouraging problem-solving and innovation in person. It is a simple but effective approach: build the right environment, hire the best and brightest minds and empower them to make an impact. This new space combined with our flexible approach to hybrid working brings us together to sustain innovation.”
SunOpta’s new headquarters and innovation center is located at 7078 Shady Oak Road in Eden Prairie, Minn. For more information on SunOpta and to view open positions, visit sunopta.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.
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.
Proudly calls Eden Prairie, Minn. home
MINNEAPOLIS—April 4, 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 unveiled its new 65,000 square-foot global headquarters and eco-powered 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 space, featuring a pilot plant and a research and development center eight times the size of its previous location, will further expand co-manufacturing, private label, ingredient and branded product offerings across all categories.
The sustainably-designed, eco-friendly workplace is a key investment to achieving strategic business and growth goals, including doubling the plant-based business by 2025.
“Our growth ambitions required this move. We’ve grown our plant-based business by more than $100 million over the last two years through a focus on innovation and new customer development, and we expect this pace of growth to continue,” said Joe Ennen, CEO, SunOpta. “This new facility, with a full-scale pilot plant and a huge expansion of the research and development space, will allow us to aggressively develop new products and new customers.”
SunOpta hired Minneapolis firms RSP Architects and Greiner Construction to lead the building’s design and construction, respectively. Both companies brought SunOpta’s passion for sustainability to life throughout the innovative, collaborative space.
“SunOpta’s well-established green initiatives allowed us the opportunity to create a very sustainably-conscious design for their eco-friendly work environment,” said Derek McCallum, design principal of RSP Architects. “The building is utilizing so many sustainable best practices, including layering landscape both inside and out as well as generating more than 30% of its electricity needs from a large solar array.”
Additional features of the new SunOpta headquarters and innovation center include:
- Nearly 13,000 square feet of renewable bamboo flooring and 920 LED light fixtures
- 630 plantings, six indoor trees, a living plant wall and six skylights to bring in nature
- Replicas of customer barista bars for accurate research and development
- Employee amenities to inspire teamwork, including integrated office technology for hybrid meetings and a fitness studio with classes taught by employees
- Electric vehicle charging stations
- Coming this spring:
- 36,000 square-feet of solar paneling (743 panels)
- Outdoor amenities, including: five outdoor garden planters for employees to grow organic produce, grills, a spacious deck with pergolas
The new center was not only built to create a sense of community and collaboration with current employees, but also to attract top industry talent. SunOpta has a global workforce of more than 1,400 employees across 14 locations in three North American countries, including more than 150 at its new location.
“Collaboration and innovation go hand in hand,” continued Ennen. “While other companies are downsizing their office spaces, SunOpta is upsizing to achieve our growth ambitions by encouraging problem-solving and innovation in person. It is a simple but effective approach: build the right environment, hire the best and brightest minds and empower them to make an impact. This new space combined with our flexible approach to hybrid working brings us together to sustain innovation.”
SunOpta’s new headquarters and innovation center is located at 7078 Shady Oak Road in Eden Prairie, Minn. For more information on SunOpta and to view open positions, visit sunopta.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.
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.