Background Vision Cosun
Cosun wants to take growers along in the vegetable future
So far, food group Cosun has rarely manifested itself in public opinion. This modesty will come to an end if it is up to the management of the cooperative group. Cosun wants to show the world the way to the plant-based future. And gladly takes the growers along with it. Without mandatory requirements.
At the presentation of the annual figures in Breda on Thursday, Cosun unveiled a completely new house style, including a new company logo. The logo consists of a leaf and an orange sun. But Cosun will also undergo a transformation in the presentation of the company, according to CEO Albert Markusse and cooperative chairman Dirk de Lugt. Cosun has laid down this in a new vision, in which the plant is central. "We want to claim a role in society as a future-oriented cooperative. And underline the infinite potential of plants in this," said Markusse.
Best farmers in the world
He points to social issues in areas such as climate, the growing population, the circular economy and the use of animal proteins. Cosun can contribute to plant-based solutions with their companies and innovation, says Markusse. "We have a fantastically beautiful sector. One of the most sustainable and efficient chains with knowledge, technology and good growers. The best farmers in the world, so to speak."
Within Cosun, Markusse points to Duynie, for example, which processes residues from the food industry into animal feed. Last week Duynie also opened a new factory in Cuijk for pet food and ingredients. "Duynie is actually at the center of the circular economy", says Markusse. "For example, at brewer's grain we are investigating how we can separate the vegetable protein from the fibres."
Fiber from beet residues
Cosun is already working on producing vegetable fibers from beet residues through its Green Solutions division. Sensus, for example, makes vegetable dietary fibers from chicory. In a video that Cosun has made to explain the vision, it is said that "Cosun wants to show the world the way to a plant-based future. 100% circular and transparent."
According to Markusse, the vision will become "the stepping stone for all activities that we will be doing in the coming years. We will look at production and revenue models in a different way." Cosun would like to include member growers in this movement, in which the benefits of the plant are central. "We want to do this together with the growers. Also give them a positive image."
Do not impose requirements
This also includes boosting developments that contribute to more sustainable cultivation of sugar beets and potatoes, among other things. However, Markusse is extremely careful in emphasizing that "growers are not imposed demands that they do not want." No mention is made of this, but Cosun has undoubtedly taken a good look at FrieslandCampina. At the dairy cooperative, the implementation of many 'green' measures regularly leads to resistance from some of the members.
Cosun wants to prevent this at all times. "We want to start a movement together with the growers in the quest to show how well we are doing as plant growers. And so command respect in society", Markusse chooses his words carefully.
Within Cosun, the vision is implemented in the segments Food Ingredients (Suiker Unie, Sensus), Food (Aviko, SVZ), Circular animal feed and Pet food ingredients (Duynie) and Green Energy (biogas and bioethanol) and Green Solutions (vegetable solutions). "Cosun will continue to develop in these areas," concludes Markusse.
Eric the Thrush
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