Our Supply Chain
Other Raw Materials
We are developing sourcing programs for the raw materials we use most and those that have high social and environmental impacts. Some, such as cocoa, are well developed, while for others, such as sugar, mint, tomatoes, peanuts, corn and meat products, we are still assessing the challenges and how best to address them. We are committed to working with industry, governments, suppliers and other partners to ensure we source these ingredients responsibly in the long term.
Sugar
We use a mix of beet and cane sugar in our chocolate and confectionery products and source most of it within the region in which it will be used. For several years, we have worked closely with our direct suppliers to ensure our sugar is responsibly sourced, while maintaining the highest levels of quality. Our sugar sourcing meets all regulatory requirements in all markets, and we assure this through the PROGRESS initiative.
We are committed to continuing to work with the industry to understand and improve the impacts of sugar cultivation. In 2011, we intend to build on this by joining Bonsucro, the leading global stakeholder group for the sugar supply chain.
Mint
Most Wrigley gum contains mint oil — a byproduct of raw mint — and we’re taking steps to better understand and improve the environmental aspects of its procurement cycle.
In 2009, we completed our first lifecycle analysis of chewing gum to identify the best opportunities for reducing our environmental footprint. It confirmed that raw materials represent the bulk of our footprint and offer the greatest scope for improvement.
To further understand the impact of mint, we partnered with the Mint Industry Research Council (MIRC) — of which Wrigley is a founding member — to support a small-scale carbon-footprint analysis of mint oil production. MIRC assessed the supply chain of three mint farms in North America, where we source the majority of our mint oil.
The analysis confirmed that carbon emissions for mint oil production are relatively high, and, while the volumes of mint we use are small compared with other raw materials like cocoa or rice, there are opportunities to improve. The MIRC and its members are exploring the potential benefits of independent certification for North American mint.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the key ingredient in DOLMIO® sauces and are Mars Food’s second largest raw material by volume after rice. Tomatoes are a summer crop, typically grown in warm, temperate regions using irrigation. Ensuring a secure supply of irrigation water is of prime interest. In addition, concentrating tomatoes to remove excess water from the fruits is energy-intensive.
We are developing a science-based strategy for tomato sourcing. We currently source mainly from regions where highly efficient drip irrigation is increasingly used to improve water-use efficiency. Research suggests that improved tomato varieties and farming practices can increase yields and further reduce irrigation and water content in the fruit.
Peanuts
We need a consistent and high-quality supply of peanuts for some of our most popular products, including SNICKERS® and M&M’S® peanut candies. We are committed to working with the industry to understand and address the impacts of peanut production. This work includes:
- Jointly funding the U.S. Peanut Resources and Efficiency Measures Report conducted by the independent research firm IHS Global Insight, which found major improvements in farming
practices among U.S. peanut farmers
- Leading a collaboration with industry, government and academic institutions to sequence, assemble and annotate the peanut genome
- Developing similar assessments of peanut farming in other countries, in cooperation with the regional industry
- Chairing the American Peanut Council Sustainability Task Force
- Supporting research to develop varieties and farming practices that reduce land, energy and water use while improving soil health
- Developing improved logistics to reduce fuel use
- Evaluating new roasting operations to reduce energy and water use
Corn
We buy more corn by weight than any other raw material. Most of our confectionery products and pet food contain corn, corn-based products such as syrup, starch and sugar alcohol, or meat from animals fed on corn. We estimate that 25 percent of the raw materials we buy come directly from corn and another 26 percent are heavily dependent on it. A reliable supply of corn is therefore imperative to our future success.
However, corn is a globally produced and traded commodity with thousands of end uses both in and beyond food products, so our influence is limited. There is a substantial incentive for major users and producers to find ways to reduce the environmental impacts of growing corn. For now, we are relying on wider industry efforts regarding this crop.
Beef, Poultry and Pork
The animal proteins and fats in our pet foods have a large carbon footprint, particularly those from beef. This is because of the energy and fossil-fuel-based fertilizers used to produce animal feed, as well as the methane produced as animals digest their food. Methane is approximately 25 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
We are working with suppliers of all animal proteins in our pet foods to ensure their long-term availability. We are also exploring lower-impact protein alternatives.
Dairy
Dairy ingredients are a critical component of many of our milk chocolate and caramel brands. We are committed to supporting a strong, high-quality dairy industry by working in partnership with others to promote more sustainable agriculture and responsible sourcing. This work includes:
- Collaborating with other consumer brand companies and suppliers through the PROGRESS Initiative, which promotes responsible sourcing through industry collaboration
- Membership of the Sustainability Consortium, which has produced a lifecycle assessment of the U.S. dairy industry
- Searching for additional regional and global groups focused on driving positive change in the industry.
