Karicare milk formula to become carbon neutral

World food manufacturer Danone has announced that its New Zealand milk formula brand, Karicare, has committed to achieving carbon neutrality at each stage of the product lifecycle by 2030.

Karicare will join Danone’s other brands Horizon Organic, evian and Volvic, which have or will become carbon neutral as Danone seeks to become a zero-net carbon company by 2050.

The Managing Director of Danone’s oceanic division, Rodrigo Lima, said the company is committed to minimising its product’s impact on climate change, including transitioning production of its milk formula products to practices that are more sustainable.

The company will work with its New Zealand suppliers and farmers to foster regenerative agricultural practices and improve soil health while still continuing to invest in decarbonisation of its operations.

Some of these investments include installing a biomass boiler to provide renewable heat at its South Island spray drying facility in Balclutha. Announced in July 2019, the NZ $30 million boiler will be operational in 2021 and will eliminate around 20,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year.

Danone will also move to 100% renewable electricity for all its New Zealand plants next year. Between the move to renewable energy and biomass-based heating, the total operational CO₂ emissions at the Balclutha plant will be reduced by 95%.

Karicare’s carbon-neutral journey will commence with the launch of Karicare Gold Plus+ Organic, which will be certified carbon neutral in 2022 and its packaging will be carbon neutral by 2025.

“With carbon neutral Karicare, we’re providing consumers with a more sustainable option and giving them the opportunity to choose a better future for their family,” Lima said.

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