Insight by Jean-Philippe Michaux, Group Director of Finance, ICT & Legal Affairs at Puratos & Chair of Fedima’s Sustainability Committee.
Sustainability continues to define the future of the bakery ingredients industry. From sourcing raw materials to delivering finished products, our sector plays a vital role in advancing the environmental and social transition across Europe’s food value chain. As the EU steps up its climate and circular economy ambitions, our industry must continue to innovate, collaborate, and lead by example.
In 2025, Fedima took another major step forward with the launch of the first Fedima Sustainability Grant, a new initiative designed to support and promote local sustainable practices in the bakery and patisserie sector. This year’s winning project (De Bellota, from Spain) exemplifies how local innovation can deliver global impact, producing acorn-based products through sustainable agricultural practices that preserve the Dehesa ecosystem. By promoting responsible harvesting and rural empowerment, De Bellota demonstrates how traditional methods can drive carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, and long-term community resilience.
At the same time, the Sustainability Committee kept a strong focus on key EU sustainability policies, including the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and the European Deforestation Regulation, and supported members in anticipating their practical implications. The Committee advanced discussions on a sector-wide CO₂ reduction framework and the potential launch of a Double Materiality Assessment (DMA) to help identify key ESG topics and guide future action. The approach will remain pragmatic and collaborative, with preliminary data collection planned for early 2026.
These achievements underline a shared vision: that sustainability is not just a compliance exercise, but an opportunity to strengthen our industry’s resilience and relevance in a changing world. By working together, our members are building the foundations for a more responsible and forward-looking bakery sector; one that supports both people and planet.