1 Sustainability report 2022
2 content CEO message 3 ABOUT SEMPER 4 The precautionary principle 5 About Semper 6 Business model 8 Responsible business conduct 10 Risk assessment 11 SEMPER’S SUSTAINABILITY WORK 12 Our sustainability goals 14 Semper and the Sustainable Development Goals 15 Science Based Targets 16 Life Cycle Assessment 17 Our raw materials 18 Human rights and Environment in the value chain 19 Sustainable cereals 20 100 % recyclable packaging 2025 21 0 % palm oil 2025 22 Our production 23 Energy 24 Water 25 Waste 26 Transport 27 Food safety and quality 28 Our products 30 Nutrition 31 Food that is good for health and good for the planet 32 Our products 34 Our employees 35 Our values 36 Semper’s employees 37 Semper and Society 39 Biodiversity 40 REFERENCES 41 Our important stakeholders 42 1 2 3
3 During 2022, our work has continued to be focused on doing good for people and planet. We contribute with expertise in nutrition and with the ambition to always give back more to nature than we take. We strongly believe that both what we eat and how we grow and produce it can contribute significantly to a reduction in global warming, as well as to increased biodiversity. In 2022, we have seen the food system being included more and more in discussions and decisions at important global meetings such as the Climate and Biodiversity Summits, COP27 and COP15. In the Nordics, sustainability aspects will be included in the updated Nordic Nutrition Recommendations. There are many benefits to loving and eating more of the food that is around us and finding plant-based proteins that complete our meals. We develop products and help parents create eating habits that lay the foundation for good health later in life. The result of the OTIS study, which Semper was part of, has led to the publication of new baby food recipes with planetary health in focus on our website. We continue to help families setting the dining table with more plant-based meals inspired by Nordic ingredients. We have continued our cooperation with Nordic suppliers who work actively with various projects to reduce emissions. In our production facilities, we continuously work with energy eciency, we minimise waste streams and optimise production. During 2022, we have also entered into an exciting partnership with Lantmännen, which we are very proud of. We are now part of the Climate and Nature program, where our annual volume of oats, wheat and rye for milk-cereal drinks and porridge will be grown sustainably. This leads to 50 % less climate impact of the grain and a positive impact on biodiversity. The past year has been challenging for us at Semper. Consequences of the geopolitical situation led to high energy prices and raw material shortages. For our part, this led to an increased focus on eciency - which is an advantage for the environment. We are aware that our employees are the key to success for the company and for our sustainability work. Ensuring the supply of safe baby food and gluten-free products under the conditions prevailing in the outside world has been a challenge for every- one. During 2022, we have also gone through a reorganisation. All change – even that which leads to improvement – requires strength and commitment. I am proud and grateful for how the sta have tackled 2022 – with hard work and mutual support. During the year we have donated to UNHCR to support their tireless work to help vulnerable people. For us, it is important to give our support so that food, blankets and shelter reach refugees or people in disaster areas. Despite the instability of the outside world, we have maintained our focus on becoming more sustainable with each passing year. Our sustainability strategy is supported by four pillars: Purchasing, Production, Products and People. A strategy that doesn't change when the world sways. At Semper, we work hard to supply the market with food products that are good for both people and the planet – regardless of the challenges and circumstances prevailing in the world. Responsibility for the impact of the food system Jim Frandsen, CEO Semper AB
4 CHAPTER 1 About Semper With great experience and knowledge, we offer a wide range of good and healthy foods with sustainability in mind.
5 The precautionary principle At Semper the precautionary principle means that we are always better safe than sorry. The precautionary principle is applied since we develop food for infants and young children that consume more food per kilo bodyweight than adults, while being more sensitive to unwanted substances. It is also applied since we develop, produce and market gluten-free food for people with celiac disease, or need to avoid gluten for other reasons. We stand for Safety, which of course applies to all foods we offer.
Distribution of sales at Semper AB Sweden 54 % Denmark 12 % Finland 10 % Norway 4 % Other 20 % = 100 % About Semper Semper is the Nordic region's leading company in baby food, gluten-free foods and cereal bars. The company was founded in 1939 and has since 2006 been part of the international food group Hero, which is owned by the Oetker family. With its headquarters in Switzerland, the group has just over 4,100 employees in 20 countries. At Semper, we have 330 employees working in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. Our facility for the production of porridge, cereal drinks, infant formula, follow-on formula, grow up milk, specialty products and gluten-free mixes is located in Götene. In Korsnäs, you will find our gluten-free crispbread bakery that produces many dierent types of crispbread. Semper's baby food meals, vegetable and fruit purees and snacks in glass jars and pouches are developed together with our sister company Hero in Spain, where they are then manufactured. Gluten-free cookies and biscuits, soft bread, as well as our pasta products are manufactured in close cooperation with various suppliers in Europe. Semper also sells bars under the name Corny, which are produced by our sister company in Germany. 6 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 Sweden 1 1 1 Finland Norway Denmark – Baby food Our market positions Cereal bars Gluten-free
7 Semper's markets Our absolute largest market is Sweden, but within Semper AB we also sell products to our subsidiaries in Finland, Denmark and Norway. Outside the Nordics, we export to countries within the Hero group such as the Netherlands, Spain, the Czech Republic, Egypt and China. We also export to other companies in countries such as Iceland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The retail market is our biggest customer, but we also sell to pharmacies, hospitals, the service trade, larger department stores and other food manufacturers. Good food early At Semper, we have experience and extensive knowledge of good and tasty food. We have earned the trust of consumers by developing and manufacturing appreciated and good food for both babies and toddlers for generations. In our comprehensive range, we oer milk-cereal drinks, porridge, vegetable and fruit purees as well as baby food meals and snacks. During the year, we have continued to develop products that are good for people and good for the planet, inspired by the EAT-Lancet report. We have also expanded the information about sustainable food on our website and published new recipes. The range and quality of our products have made us market leader in the Nordics for baby food. Good nutrition from the start We have built up knowledge about health and nutrition right from the start and have been meticulous in applying this since the very first infant formula was presented in 1948. Even today, we collaborate with nutrition experts and paediatricians. In addition to formula, our range also includes nutritional supplements, stomach health products with bacterial culture and dairy-free cereal drinks and porridge. Tasty porridge and milk cereal Semper has been the market leader in porridge and milk-cereal drinks for decades. Our recipes are constantly updated and we fine-tune them according to new research findings and recommendations. The grains we use are of high quality and come from selected areas in Sweden. During the year, we entered into a partnership with our grain supplier, which means that we contribute to a more sustainable agriculture. All the milk we use comes from Swedish farms. Great and gluten-free We are proud of the wide selection foods that have earned our customers’ trust. Regardless of whether you have celiac disease, or have chosen to avoid gluten for other reasons, you can live a good gluten-free life. Since 1991, we have oered gluten-free food and built up knowledge about what it means to live with celiac disease. We are also constantly extending our range with gluten-free low-FODMAP products. The range includes bread, crackers, pasta, cakes and breakfast cereals as well as cake and bread mixes. Semper is the clear market leader in the gluten-free market in the Nordics. Energy on the go Semper sells bars and smoothies under the Corny brand and is the market leader in bars in Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Our Corny bars are available in several flavors such as chocolate, salted caramel and brownie. Oy Semper Ab (Finland) Semper AS (Norway) Semper Danmark ApS (Denmark) The Parent Company is Semper AB, whose headquarters are located at the following visitor's address: Löfströms allé 5, 172 22 Sundbyberg, Sweden Semper AB is 100 % owned by Hero España SA AOH Nahrungsmittel GmbH & Co.KG Hero AG Our company structure
8 Business model Our mission Semper and Hero have a common mission: “We delight consumers by conserving the goodness of nature“ High quality and safe raw materials are needed to be able to develop good, safe and nutritious food. In order for us to fulfill our mission in the long term, it is also required that we act sustainably to protect the goodness of nature for future generations. We have a commitment to preserve the earth's resources and leave as little footprint as possible behind us. Management and organisation During the year, in connection with a change to a category-driven organisation, the commercial mission for Semper's management team was further clarified. Henceforth, mainly commercial strategic issues will be decided in this team. The management team consists of the respective person responsible for the commercial departments as well as Hero group's R&D Category and Sustain- ability Director. The supply operations are mostly part of the global organisation, however, since 2022 the function Logistics and Demand planning and S&OP Director is included in Semper's commercial management team. The respective department managers, who are either located in the Nordic region or within the global organisation, are responsible for the day-to-day operations. Semper's management system is certified according to ISO 9001. Within the group's companies in Europe there are three clusters. Semper AB is part of the northern cluster together with the companies in Great Britain and the Netherlands. Jim Frandsen is head of the northern cluster. This report describes Semper's sustain- ability work, and is a supplement to our financial annual report. Semper's main market is the Nordic region, where we are the market leader in baby food, gluten-free and cereal bars. Semper has a wide range and we develop, prepare and market baby food, gluten-free foods, bars and specialty products in the field of nutrition. Our sustainability strategy Semper and Hero Group’s sustainability strategy serves as our guide in day-to-day operations and as part of our aim to continuously improve. Our operations are to contribute to sustainable development and sustainability initiatives are to be integrated into operations and yield concrete results – this is our winning strategy. Operating our business in a responsible manner is vital in terms of both short and long-term success. Our strategy means that: A sustainable development throughout our entire value chain is something we strive for. Using our extensive expertise, we continuously develop new products in a sustainable way, to improve nutritional content and foster confidence among our consumers. Food safety at Semper is not only important – but absolutely vital to us. We ensure our long-term survival by making sure that our primary stakeholders are satisfied. We continuously evaluate our sustainability initiatives to identify operational areas that need improvement. The environmental policy at the production plant illustrates and focuses on significant environmental parameters that constitute an important part of our sustainability initiatives. Our sustainability strategy has a direct link to our quality policy, which ensures that the various parts of the company find and maintain a consensus. It is also a prerequisite of our ability to develop and improve the Semper organisation.
9 Management Assistant Semper organisation CEO Semper AB CFO & Legal, IT, Project governance HR Director Marketing Director Country Manager Sweden & Norway Country Manager Finland Country Manager Denmark Research & Development and Sustainability organisation Product Development Manager & Deputy Vice President R & D R & D Category and Sustainability Director Sustainability Manager Vice President Supply chain excellence Director Supply Strategy & Manufacturing Baby Toddler Milks, Milk Cereals, Gluten Free Supply and Manufacturing organisation Corporate Communication Manager Quality Manager Commercial Product Specification Manager BTM Product Specification Manager GF Head of Process Technology Head of Manufacturing Götene Head of Manufacturing Korsnäs Head of Quality BTM & GF Manager Supply Business Controller HR manager Manager Procurement Logistics Demand Planning and S&OP Director
10 Responsible business conduct We take responsibility to actively combat corruption and bribery and work according to the guidelines in our code of conduct. Countering corruption is a fundamental issue for Semper There is always a risk that corruption will spread in a business. Bribery, extortion and price cartels can be established and both individuals and entire industries can be damaged. We minimise the risk for financial impropriety in our operations and supply chain through active work against corruption and bribery. The legislation in the countries where we operate and our code of conduct form the basis of Semper's work against corruption. The group's code of conduct follows the principles of the UN Global Compact to combat corruption, extortion and bribery. Our anti-corruption policy is available to all employees via our intranet. New and existing employees in the finance and IT department, who hold positions where there is an increased risk of encountering corruption issues, received training in responsible business conduct in 2022. Hero group and thus Semper is connected to Ecovadis, a platform that rates suppliers in four dierent sustainability areas, one of which is precisely responsible business. You can read more about Ecovadis in the section Our raw materials of this report. Rules regarding invoicing To avoid irregularities or abuse within Semper's own financial system, we have rules and procedures for how invoices should be handled and how new suppliers should be added. For example, the same person may not approve a whole series of transactions. An employee who adds a new supplier to our system must also not be able to initiate an invoice from that supplier. Once an invoice is in our business system, there is a well- developed set of routines that governs who can approve and pay the invoice. Whether an employee is allowed to approve and pay an invoice depends, among other things, on the position they have and on the invoice amount. Semper has had no case of corruption or bribery in 2022.
11 Risk assessment 2022 RISK RISK MANAGEMENT Greenhouse gas emissions The climate debate has an impact on the whole of society. Tougher demands from both customers and consumers as well as organizations and authorities will be a consequence of this. With this comes an increased risk for Semper if we cannot adapt to the demand for sustainably produced food. Greenhouse gas emissions Semper works continuously to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the value chain. This is described in our Strategy and results of the work are reported in Chapter 2. Raw material shortage Extreme or adverse weather conditions can cause flooding, drought and crop failure. This, in turn, has a major impact on agriculture, harvests and animal husbandry, which means a risk that the availability of raw materials will deteriorate. A reduced biological diversity, e.g. a reduced number of pollinating insects, can lead to reduced yields. Raw material shortage Should there be a shortage of raw materials, Semper is prepared to reformulate recipes. We hold a dialogue with our suppliers to get an early indication of a possible shortage of raw materials. Chapter 2 describes our way of working with our suppliers and our commitment to biodiversity. Baby food quality The availability of raw materials that comply with the regulated quality of packaged foods intended for babies and young children 0–3 years old is a fundamental prerequisite for Semper's operations. Baby food quality You can read about how we ensure baby food quality in the section "Food safety and quality". Packaging material An increased awareness of packaging's potential negative impact on the environment can lead to new product choices. If Semper cannot meet the demand and requirements for sustainable materials, this could pose a risk for us. Packaging material See "100 % recyclable packaging" to read about our work with packaging material. Working environment Discontent, ill health and accidents at work are a risk. Working environment Semper has the ambition to preventively ensure that all employees have a good working environment. You can read more in the section "Semper's employees". Special skills Working with food for sensitive consumer groups such as infants and people with celiac disease requires special skills. Special skills Semper works actively to be an attractive employer in order to attract and retain competent and committed employees. You can read more in the section "Semper's employees". Pandemic outbreak Globalization, increased intensification of agriculture and increased mobility are risk factors for pandemic outbreaks with high spread of infection which pose a threat to society. Pandemic outbreak In order to reduce the risk of the spread of infection and ensure sta supply, Semper's management team has clear guidelines and close communication in the event of a pandemic outbreak. Child labor Within all industries there is a risk of exploitation of child labor at some stage of production. For Semper, it is a fundamental requirement that our suppliers' operations are based on ethical business practices. Child labor Read more about the tools and the code of conduct that we use at the supplier level in the section "Human rights and environment in the value chain". Discrimination and victimization There is a risk that someone within Semper's operations or within the supply chain is exposed to abuse or special treatment and is harmed due to incorrect actions. Discrimination and victimization You can read more in the sections "Semper's employees" and "Human rights and the environment in the value chain". Possibility of union membership Risk of making union membership more dicult. Possibility of union membership By asking suppliers to join Ecovadis and sign Semper's code of conduct, we work to eliminate this risk. Recalls There is a risk that an item does not meet our quality requirements and must be recalled. Recalls Semper has a robust quality system, which you can read about in the section "Food safety and quality". Bribery and corruption Risk of unethical and improper business conduct and competition being hindered. Bribery and corruption Read more about our work against bribery and corruption in the section "Responsible business". Responsible business conduct Human rights Legislation and food safety Anti corruption Environment
12 12 CHAPTER 2 Semper’s sustainability work Four pillars support our sustainability work.
13 Semper’s sustainability work We focus on health for both planet and people in our sustainability work. O ur sustainability work is built on four pillars, which support our overall ambition to give back more to nature than we take. They also support our work to produce good, healthy food and to contribute positively to the lives of our employees who are the most important thing we have and make everything happen. Many of the planet's sustainability challenges can be traced back to the climate change we are seeing as a result of global warming. Our main ambition is therefore to become climate-positive, partly through focusing on the reduction of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions as a result of our energy consumption, partly through developing products with climate-smart raw materials and focusing on collaborations with our raw material suppliers to drive sustainable development forward. During the year, we have started to investigate whether our ambition to become climate positive is a sustainable challenge that covers the opportunities and diculties that exist in the reduction of our climate impact through the entire value chain. In this report, we write about our work in the above four areas. 1. Sustainable sourcing We work in partnership with our suppliers on sustainable agriculture and fair labour conditions. We are also innovating to make our ingredient sourcing and packaging more sustainable. 2. Net neutral production We strive for fossil free production and transport, sustainable use of water and complete recycling of our residual waste streams. 3. Naturally healthy products We aim to capture and conserve the quality and goodness of nature and are always innovating to make our products better for both people and the planet. 4. Purposeful people We strive to keep our teams feeling engaged, included, and motivated. We support employee development, safety at work and social responsibility in our communities.
Our sustainability goals Climate positive We want to give back more to nature than we take and therefore work continuously with improvements in our supply chain, our production and our products. 0 % palm oil 2025 As it is difficult to buy palm oil that is with full guarantee sustainably grown, we choose to market only products free from palm oil by 2025. 100 % recyclable packaging 2025 We actively work towards ensuring that all packaging material can be recycled into new packaging or other items. We continuously increase the amount of recycled material (such as glass and paper fibers) in our packaging. Our goal is that at least 50% of the material in packaging is recycled by 2025. 0 % food waste 2025 Our products must reach our consumers without any waste in the production, storage or distribution stage. If waste occurs, we make sure it gets a destination with the least possible environmental impact, such as the production of animal feed or biogas. Net Neutral Production 2030 We work towards fossil-free production and transport, sustainable water use and complete recycling of our waste streams. Healthy products for people and planet 2025 We develop a product line for children that is healthy for both children and the planet, based on the results of scientific studies. 14
15 World leaders signed 17 sustainability goals which in 2015 were adopted as the UN's global sustainable development goals. Semper strives to actively contribute to a sustainable society and in our sustainability initiatives we contribute to several of the goals. SEMPER AND THE UN GLOBAL GOALS Zero hunger Since we produce food, there is an awareness in all of our employees to keep food waste as low as possible. We are careful with everything in our own value chain and constantly try to avoid materials being wasted in our production. We also have an on-going collaboration with The Food Mission, Stockholm City Mission, to which we donate food. We also contribute to other activities instead of throwing away food. Good health and well-being We support clinical studies in both the infant and toddler area, which drive nutrition research forward. Based on the results of the OTIS study, we have developed more sustainable and healthy foods for the young children. To keep us updated on celiac disease and gluten-free products, we stay informed on research in the field and support research projects related to gluten-free foods. In order to improve well-being for one of our consumer groups, we have expanded our labelling of gluten-free foods. Life on land Through our continued membership and support of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Götene, we want to protect biodiversity and promote a healthy ecosystem. Semper is part of Hero Group’s Bee Careful program that protects pollinators through several activities. Responsible consumption and production Semper's mission is to delight consumers by conserving the goodness of nature. A fundamental part of our mission is the transition to a more sustainable production. We work continuously to integrate our sustainability work in our business. During the year, we have been focusing especially on reducing food waste. Climate action Scientific studies have shown that mankind has affected greenhouse gas emissions since the time of industrialisation. Agriculture and food production currently accounts for about 25 % of global emissions. As a manufacturer of food, we also take responsibility for combating climate change. For example, in our energy-intensive production process, we have shifted from fossil to renewable energy sources.
16 Science based targets We are proud that the Hero group, of which Semper is a part, submitted its targets to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in 2022. With this, we have confirmed that we are developing science- based goals for our climate work. These are in line with the Paris Agreement and thus contribute to limiting global warming so that temperature does not rise more than 1.5 °C compared to the beginning of industrialisation. Global greenhouse gas emissions need to be halved by 2030 and reduced to net-zero by 2050. This must be done to prevent the worst eects of climate change. Hero group is one of roughly 4,600 companies in the world that have committed to working with Science Based Targets. Our goals and commitments will be validated by SBTi's experts in 2023 and then communicated to our stakeholders. We use scientific facts in our effort to reduce emissions.
Life Cycle Assessment With the aid of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) we have calculated the amount of greenhouse gases that are being emitted along our value chain. Emissions from Semper's prod- uction and oces as well as from the value chain, including the purchase of raw materials and transport, amount to 85,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) in 2021*. Greenhouse gas emissions from products in our range that are produced by sister companies within the Hero group have not been included in Semper's emissions, as these are within the respective company's LCA results. Correspondingly, greenhouse gas emissions are included in Semper's results from the milk-based products that we manufacture for various sister companies. Emissions from energy It is important that we take responsibility for reducing emissions that are caused directly and indirectly by energy consumption in our production facilities, the so-called Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. We expect to be able to further reduce energy consumption with the help of measures that improve eciency and with new technology, and we will look at suitable opportunities to compensate for the greenhouse gas emissions that we cannot reduce. We will also continue to use only renewable energy sources. Emissions in the value chain Our emissions in the value chain, which are called Scope 3 emissions, include the purchase of raw materials and packaging materials, distribution, waste and re- cycling. The life cycle analysis shows that the largest part of greenhouse gas emissions occurs early in our value chain: 79 % comes from the cultivation and production of raw materials as well as from purchased packaging and products. Globally, agriculture accounts for about a quarter of total greenhouse gas emissions, and since Semper manufactures food, it is logical that a large part of our climate impact is caused by our raw materials and products. Lowering our Scope 3 emissions is a complex issue that requires a long-term plan, where supplier collaborations and product development with planetary health in focus are obvious parts. You can read about our commitments in the sections "Our raw materials" and "Our products". *In order to be able to measure our results, it is important that the large amount of data included in the LCA calculation is transparent and easy to update. Therefore, in 2022, the Hero group has chosen to implement a new tool. At the time this report is written, the result for 2022 has not been calculated in the new tool, therefore we choose to show 2021's result. 17 Purchased products 18 % Consumer use and storage 5 % Distribution 13 % Employees (offices, travel) 1 % Production 1 % Packaging 8 % Purchased raw materials 53 % Waste and recycling 1 % Semper’s emissions 2021*: 85 000 ton CO2e
18 Our raw materials By investing in both locally produced raw materials and proximity to producers, it is easier to secure the quality of the raw materials we use. Everyone who grows, handles and produces our food must work in an ethical and environmentally conscious way.
19 There are many advantages to locally produced raw materials. Proximity to our producers makes it easier to counteract a lack of respect for people and the environment in our supply chain. A large part of the raw materials that Semper uses come from Swedish producers. Other raw materials used in Götene and Korsnäs may originally come from countries outside Europe, but are purchased from suppliers within Europe. This leads to closer contact with the suppliers, which makes it easier to discuss various issues. Hero group uses the Ecovadis tool to rate its suppliers on four sustainability criteria; environment, responsible business, work environment and human rights as well as sustainable sourcing. The ratings are used for an active discussion of the actions to be taken to improve the supplier's performance. In 2022, the tool was implemented and data collection started, and in 2023 the work will continue. New suppliers must confirm Hero group’s and thus Semper's code of conduct. It covers, among other things, issues of responsible business, human rights, working environment and employee well-being, sustainability and environmental work. The code of conduct has been updated in 2022 to emphasise the importance of our sustainability work. The code is intended to be passed on through the entire supply chain, from supplier to sub-suppliers. No deviations from the code of conduct have been detected among our suppliers in 2022. Semper's position on human rights is based on the UN Global Compact's (UNGC) principles for human rights and the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) conventions. During 2022, Semper has not had any case concerning violation of human rights. Children's rights Children have always been at the center of Semper's business, and their health and well-being is very close to our hearts. Therefore, it is extremely important to us that we contribute to the reduction of child labor in the world. In our code of conduct, the principles of the UN Global Compact against child labor are communicated. It also refers to the Convention on the Minimum Age for Admission to Work – ILO Convention 138 – and to the Convention on the Prohibition of and Immediate Measures to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor – ILO Convention 182. During 2022, we have not become aware of a single case of child labor in Semper's supply chain. Supplier audits A supplier visit is planned when a collaboration with a new supplier is initiated. Representatives from the supply and quality department carry out the visit in order to get a better picture of how the supplier performs in areas such as working conditions, working environment and environmental issues. Existing suppliers are also checked regularly. Partnerships for sustainable development The results from our life cycle analysis show that we need more and more active collaborations with our suppliers to reduce our climate impact. In 2022, we have drawn up guidelines for a sustainable supply of goods, based on science and best practices for various raw material categories. These guidelines enable our buyers to partly identify which suppliers are at the forefront in terms of strategic work that benefits people and the environment, partly show how they can lift existing suppliers to a higher level. We are particularly happy when we can create collaborations with suppliers that promote sustainable development on several levels. You can read about our exciting partnership with Lantmännen on the next page. Human Rights and Environment in the value chain An important factor for us at Semper is that everyone who contributes to the cultivation, handling and production of our food has acted in an ethical manner and actively contributed to sustainability.
20 Semper produces food for infants and young children – the most important connoisseurs of the future – and has long worked for healthy and nutritious food that is sustainable for our planet. For many years, cereals from Lantmännen have been used in our products, which meet the strict requirements for safe and nutritious baby food, so-called baby food quality. The new partnership for the range of porridge and milk-cereal drinks not only meets these high standards, but also contributes to a more sustainable agriculture that is good for our planet. The Climate & Nature program contains a series of measures and cultivation methods that reduce climate impact and at the same time benefit biodiversity. The cultivation criteria within the program include fossil-free plant nutrition, fossil-free fuels and precision cultivation, which leads to up to 50 % less emissions of greenhouse gases for the 2023 harvest*. Biodiversity benefits from chemical- free seed treatment. Pollinators thrive in the flowering zones included in the program. They pollinate many of our food crops and are therefore incredibly important for food production. In the fields, lark squares are part of the program (plots that have been left bare so that the song lark can land and find food). More open places in the cultivated landscape benefit this bird species. The Climate & Nature program uses so-called mass balance. This means that grain grown on farms included in the program is mixed with other grain in Lantmännen's supply chain. We at Semper can therefore not say that the particular package of porridge that a consumer is holding in their hand contains grain that has been grown according to Climate & Nature. But as the program uses mass balance, we contribute to a more sustainable agriculture while ensuring, as always, baby food quality of the grain. This legislation regulating baby food quality means, among other things, that only very low residual levels of unwanted substances may occur. These levels may vary in crops depending on soil type and weather conditions at harvest. The mass balance principle in Climate & Nature gives us access to grain in the high quality required. By being part of Climate & Nature, we at Semper contribute to the sustainable agriculture of the future - without compromising on the content and quality of our products. Sustainable cereals Semper and Lantmännen are in partnership for more sustainable agriculture. From the harvest of 2023 onward, Semper has joined Climate & Nature – Lantmännen's program for the future of agriculture. Together, the companies will contribute to a more sustainable cultivation of oats, wheat and rye. Image: Lantmännen. *compared to Swedish cereal cultivation 2015
21 100% recyclable packaging Our packaging materials protect our products. Food packaging has many dierent functions. For us, it is important that the packaging has properties that protect the contents to ensure quality and safety, as well as reduce the risk of food waste. It is also important to us that the packaging can be recycled in industrial recycling facilities. Plastic is the material that is currently our biggest challenge, as layers of dierent types of plastic are often needed to create a material that protects the product against, for example, oxidation processes. A combination of dierent plastics unfortunately makes it more dicult to recycle the packaging. During the year, we improved the recycling instructions on several packages to make it easier for the consumer to sort correctly. It is also important for us to use as much recycled material as possible in our packaging. Our suppliers continuously review the availability of recycled paper fibers, glass, metal and plastic of the quality suitable for food packaging. Our goal is to use at least 50 % recycled material in our packaging by 2025. The first segment in the diagram below shows the percentage of packaging in Semper's range with high recyclability, such as glass, metal and cardboard. In the second, there are products that are packaged in, for example, a combination of paper and plastic, such as our packaging for ready-to-drink products. The products in the third category are products in complex plastic packaging. These have our full attention as they are currently more dicult to recycle. We collaborate in several projects with packaging manufacturers and machine experts to find and test suitable materials in order to reach 100 % recyclable packaging by 2025. Completely recyclable packaging Partially recyclable packaging Not yet recyclable packaging 36 % 39 % 25 %
22 0 % palm oil 2025 A versatile raw material with challenges in the value chain. Semper has chosen to phase out palm oil completely from our range, as it is dicult to buy palm oil that is guaranteed to be sustainably produced, even with existing certification systems. Baby food, milk-cereal drinks, porridge as well as infant formula, supplementary nutrition and grow up milk have been palm oil free for several years. These products contain a carefully selected mixture of milk fat and vegetable oils including rapeseed oil. For only a few products in our gluten-free range, we are still looking for alternative recipes to be able to remove palm oil without aecting taste or texture. These products correspond to 5 % of our Semper range in 2022. The palm oil used in these products is certified according to the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) or Green Palm. Due to a shortage of raw materials and logistics problems experienced in 2022, we had to move our goal forward from 2022 to 2025. We are now working together with our suppliers to source new raw materials and develop products that meet our quality requirements. Semper products without palm oil Semper products with certified palm oil 5 % 95 %
23 Our production We work to provide sustainable food for your children – and for the children of future generations.
24 Since 2020, we have invested in hydropower certificates, which guarantee that the electricity we consume in our production facilities and in our oces is sustainably produced. The steam we use in our production processes in Götene is produced in an external heating plant that is fueled by wood chips. During the short periods when the heating plant needs to be maintained, the steam is produced with fossil fuel. We have compensated for the emissions caused by this. All the energy we need in Götene and Korsnäs for the production of baby food and gluten-free crisp bread is consequently from 100 % renewable sources. Energy-saving measures Even with sustainable energy sources, it is still important for us to invest in energy saving measures. The largest energy consumption within Semper can be derived from our two production facilities, of which the facility in Götene is the most energy-demanding. We see that through a combination of good maintenance and investment in new technology we will be able to save energy in the factory. Technology is constantly developing, which means that there are opportunities to optimise the use of resources even in a modern production facility like Semper Götene. An increased focus on measuring energy consumption in dierent parts of the factory also helps us identify potential for improvement. As a result of the pandemic and subsequent eects on the economy, we have seen a fluctuation in our production volumes, which has aected our ability to produce as eciently as possible. Due to shorter runs, there is relatively much start-up and shutdown time, this is the reason why we see an increase in energy consumption per ton in both our plants. Every kWh counts We count every kilowatt-hour (kWh), so in addition to a focus on the big processes, we believe that there is value in the small things as well. For example, the importance of energy saving is included as part of the introductory training for our new employees. Furthermore, in order to limit energy consumption, we use LED lights and light sensors as well as digitised salary specifications and contract signatures. EnergY Our choice of energy sources and our energy consumption are important issues that we address in our sustainability strategy. THE YEAR IN NUMBERS The numbers below refer to the energy consumption within production. Korsnäs production plant Energy sources at Götene (2022): 23 % electricity from hydropower, 77 % steam from heating plant. 1.76 1.78 Energy (MWh)/produced tonne: 2020 2021 2.95 2.97 Energy (MWh)/produced tonne:* 2020 2021 Semper’s energy sources are 100% renewable. Energy sources at Korsnäs (2022): 100 % electricity from hydropower. Götene production plant Semper Götene is certified according to ISO 14001 and 50001. 1.85 2022 3.46 2022
25 Our facility in Götene is our most water-demanding facility and we have two water sources: about two-thirds is municipal water from Lake Vänern (62 %) and the rest comes from our own water source, the Västerby spring. Water availability is a central issue for us that is continuously evaluated and developed. We work to limit our water consumption for both environmental and financial reasons. Water is used in our recipes as well as in cleaning and production processes. Similar to our energy consumption, we also see an increase in water consumption per ton of product produced in Götene, due to fluctuations in the production volume which entails a relatively longer start-up and shutdown time where water is used in the process. Our bakery in Korsnäs has a less intensive water consumption. Water is used mainly in the dough, and a small proportion in cleaning processes. Sustainable management of water Semper and our neighbor Arla in Götene share an environmental permit in which discharge rights for waste water are specified. These limit how much wastewater we can send to the municipal treatment plant and how polluted it can be. Contamination in the form of product residue and cleaning agents causes changes in, among other things, the acidity of the water, which can disrupt the treatment plant's processes. Also, an irregular flow of the water can hinder the eciency of the purification. During 2022, we have worked to equalise our wastewater flows by buering waste water in intermediate storage tanks and releasing it gradually. This enables a more ecient handling of the waste water in the treatment plant. Liquid product residues are separated out and collected by an external company that makes biogas from them. We reduce the proportion of water that goes to the water treatment plant by directing condensation water to a wetland. Rainwater is also led there. In the wetland, the water undergoes natural, microbiological purification so that it can then be sent on to the Götene river. Water All water that comes in contact with food products, must be of drinking water-quality. THE YEAR IN NUMBERS Korsnäs production plant 1.31 9.2 1.33 10.5 Water (m3)/produced tonne Götene production plant Water (m3)/produced tonne 2020 2020 2021 2021 The numbers below refer to the water consumption within our production. 1.32 2022 11.9 2022
26 Waste We are proactive in our effort to reduce waste. The technology to make use of the valuable properties of waste and food waste is developing continuously and we are always looking for opportunities to take part in the development. A part of our crisp bread crumbs is recycled by a high-tech biorefinery into three useful products; ethanol fuel, protein feed for cows and CO2 for beverage production. Biogas is produced from liquid product residue and waste that cannot be used for animal or insect feed. Raw material packaging made of plastic, metal and corrugated cardboard is also recycled. RECYCLE It is most important to minimise the amount of waste, to reduce our environmental impact and optimise the use of our resources. Our most important tools for minimizing waste and food waste in production and warehouse are training and process improvement. In 2022, we have decided to label our gluten-free products with information that encourages the consumer to look, smell and taste products that have passed the best before date, as our senses are good tools for judging whether a product is still good to eat. In this way, we want to contribute to reduced food waste even after the products have left our warehouse. You can read more about this initiative in the "Our products" section of this report. We continue our proactive work with customers who can distribute products with a short remaining shelf life. Furthermore, we also donate food to charity, including the Food Mission, Stockholm City Mission, Danish Venligboerne, the Norwegian Fattighuset and the Finnish Operaatio ruokakassi. REDUCE The largest part of the factory's food waste goes to companies that make animal feed from it. Focus in the Korsnäs bakery has been to find more sustainable destinations for the product waste that occurs. For example, crisp bread crumbs are used as feed at a new insect farm in the region. The insects can then form the protein source in, for example, fish feed. Also, in order to find more sustainable ways to use crispbread that tastes as good as ever but does not meet our quality requirements in terms of shape and appearance, a successful pilot sale of product with minor quality defects was also completed. REUSE It is important to us that no waste is disposed of in landfills. The residual waste that we could not avoid, reuse or recycle goes to an incineration plant with energy recovery. The energy is mostly used as heat. Our goal is that no food waste should go to incineration. ENERGY RECOVERY The waste in our facilities mainly consists of raw material packaging that is sorted into dierent fractions, and of product waste that is recycled as animal feed or biogas. In production, wastage mainly occurs at the start and end of a manufacturing cycle, when product does not have the absolute quality required to proceed to packaging. In our warehouse, waste can occur when the product has too little time left until the best before date, or when a package breaks during transport or handling. We work in several ways to avoid and minimise waste.
27 As our raw materials and products have a limited shelf life, transport from our facilities must be relatively fast. That is why we use truck transport. However, the logistics department regularly invest- igates alternative modes of transport. For example, we transport our baby food in jars and pouches, which are produced in Spain, mainly by train and boat. Flights are never used as a transport option. Continuous transport optimization The most eective way to reduce emissions from our distribution is, of course, to reduce the number of transports. Therefore, it is very important for us to optimise loads. Our goods are on pallets that can either be placed alone on the floor of the truck or double stacked on top of each other. By double stacking, where possible, the number of transports is halved. We keep that in mind when we launch new products and we also review the possibility of updating existing products so that they can utilise the maximum permitted height of trucks and warehouses. In 2022, in collaboration with one of our largest customers, we were able to increase the number of cartons per pallet on a number of best-selling items, which has led to more ecient transport. The carriers we work with have a strong focus on high filling rates and if we don't fill an entire car ourselves, our goods are combined with other customers' goods. We constantly monitor weather conditions to ensure that we do not use thermal cars unnecessarily. With this, we reduce both transport costs and negative environ- mental impact. By taking into account the number of cartons of a product per layer and per full pallet, transport of customer orders can be made even more ecient. In addition, the risk of food waste in our warehouse is reduced. Therefore, we are currently looking at order patterns together with our customers to see if these can be further improved. Our eciency improvements and our transport partners' work to develop more accurate calculation methods explain the reduction in emissions between 2021 and 2022. Travel In 2022, we updated our travel policy, with the goal of reducing our travel emissions by 50 % compared to 2019. In 2019, business travel accounted for approximately 1 % of our total climate impact. During the pandemic we have seen that we can work eectively with the help of digital meetings and want to foster a corporate culture where the necessity of a trip is evaluated and also the alternative means of transportation that are available for a trip. In 2022, we reduced our climate emissions from flights, trains and hotel stays by 57 %, and we continue with the same goal in 2023. Our company cars, which are used for customer and store visits, are plug-in hybrid cars from 2020. THE YEAR IN NUMBERS Carbon emissions from transports to our Nordic customers. Emissions from travelling (ton CO2e) 1071 tonnes CO2e 1391 tonnes CO2e 2020 2021 TRANSPORTs By optimising our transports, we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 1116 tonnes CO2e 2022 2019 2022 250 200 150 100 50 0 227 98 Target: 50 % reduction
28 Food safety and quality Safe food of high quality is of utmost importance to us. This is how we ensure it for our consumers. At Semper, we know how important it is that children - and adults – have access to both nutritious and good food. Everyone should feel safe when choosing Semper's food. Food safety is one of our most important focus areas. As people with celiac disease can experience gastrointestinal distress if gluten finds its way into their diet, it is our responsibility to ensure that all our products aimed for them are safe. Safety work is particularly important around our baby food because infants and young children are more easily harmed than adults by unwanted substances such as mold toxins, heavy metals and pesticides. To avoid unnecessary stress on their little bodies, we have rigorous controls throughout the production of our baby food. Certification Semper's quality policy is the basis for all work within the company. Semper's facilities in Götene and in Korsnäs are certified according to Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000, an international standard for managing food safety and quality. A certification according to FSSC 22000 clearly shows that Semper has a proactive strategy in food safety. The quality work is based on a comprehensive system that governs, among other things, work and cleaning routines, controls, sampling, maintenance work and production planning. If something does happen and a non-compliant product has left our warehouse, there is a recall plan that is used to recall the aected product from the market and inform customers, consumers, healthcare and the media. The FSSC Standard is globally accepted and enables quality communication on an international market. Semper is also certified according to the AOECS (Association of European Celiac Societies) Standard, a standard that describes how we ensure that our products are gluten-free. In addition to our company and production certifications, we also ensure the quality of specific products in our range via, for example, EU organic and KRAV certification as well as ASC and MSC fish certification. Semper is certified according to the ISO 9001, FSSC 22000 and AOECS Standards.
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