Barilla presents the 2016 results "Good for You, Good for the Planet"
17 May 2017
Since 2010, the nutritional profile of 360 products has been improved reducing fats and salt, and increasing the offer of whole grain products. Just in 2016 Barilla reformulated 150 recipes, removing palm oil from all its bakery products.
A very strong commitment to sustainable agriculture: in 2016 Barilla purchased 190,000 tons of “sustainable” durum wheat (+30% vs. 2015) and introduced the three-year cultivation contracts in Italy.
The commitment on sustainability allowed Barilla to continue on a path of economic growth (2016 net revenue was 3,413 million euro, +2% vs. 2015 with constant foreign exchange rates) and solid company reputation.
Discover more: sustainability17.barillagroup.com
Spreading the joy of the Mediterranean lifestyle in all latitudes, with products that are becoming better and better for the people and for the Planet, and investing in a ever more sustainable supply chains are the main objectives of the Barilla Group that today, Thursday 17 May, presented the results of the 2016 sustainability report “Good for You, Good for the Planet”. And as the future of the company travels on the tracks of sustainability, history reminds us that this year Barilla will be 140 years old. The shop that sold bread and pasta in Parma, today is the world leader in the pasta and pasta sauce businesses in continental Europe, bakery products in Italy, and the crispbread business in Northern countries.
“We want to plan our future around our mission Good for You, Good for the Planet.” said Guido Barilla, the Chairman of the Barilla Group. “To accomplish this we must disseminate a new culture capable of changing the current lifestyle, beginning with new products and processes that are useful to safeguard our future. The goal of our development model is for Barilla to be the preferred brand for people, promoting healthy and joyful eating inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle”.
“GOOD FOR YOU”: THE NUTRITIONAL PROFILE OF 360 PRODUCTS HAS BEEN IMPROVED SINCE 2010
From 2010 until today about 360 products have been reformulated by Barilla improving their nutritional profile. The height of this effort was 2016, a year in which the Group from Parma reformulated 150 recipes by replacing palm oil in all its bakery products with vegetable oils with less saturated fat, in particular sunflower oil. In that same period Barilla launched on the market 17 new whole grain products or with increased whole grain percentage, in the brioche, soft bread, pasta, biscuit and rusk categories. The gluten free and Protein Plus ranges were also extended through the launch of 11 products that included bread, sauces, flour and pasta. In general, in 2016, the Group invested40 million euro in research and development activities targeted to improve the nutritional profile of all products.
“GOOD FOR THE PLANET”: +30% “SUSTAINIBLE” DURUM WHEAT PURCHASED IN 2016
A high quality and environmentally friendly durum wheat. In 2016 Barilla purchased 190,000 tons of sustainable durum wheat (+30%) cultivated according to the innovative methods of the “Decalogue for Sustainable Cultivation of Durum Wheat ” and with the granoduro.net decisions support system. The percentage harvested with these advanced systems jumped from 18% in 2015 to 26% in 2016, and about 1,500 Italian farmers (+13% vs. 2015) were involved. Thanks to the combined application of these two tools it was possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and production costs up to 30% and increase production yields up to 20%, thus ensuring a higher income for farmers . For the results obtained in this area, Barilla was given a special mention at “The Procurement Awards 2016”. The goal is to reach in 2017 at least 250,000 tons of sustainable durum wheat: about 35% of the total production requirements.
After a decade-long collaboration with many farms, in 2016Barilla introduced new three-year durum wheat cultivation contracts, instead of annual ones, whose purpose is to reward virtuous Italian farming by enhancing and promoting local production. In the last 6 years the Barilla Group also reduced by as much as 28% CO2 emissions per ton of product also decreasing the use of water per ton of product by 21% compared to 2010. The goal is to reach a 30% reduction by 2020. As of today 52% of the electric power purchased by Barilla comes from renewable sources.
CONTINUING WITH DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
In 2016, the Human Rights Council awarded Barilla America for the third time, with a 100% score in the “Corporate Equality Index” developed by the Human Rights Campaign to measure and assess big companies’ policies and practices on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees. Barilla intends to reach equality between men and women in leadership positions by 2020. As of today, 35 women every 100 people hold managerial positions
THE COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY REWARDS THE BARILLA GROUP ON REPUTATION AND BUSINESS GROWTH
Barilla’s way of doing business “Good for You, Good for the Planet” is rewarded by the market, and brings growth to the company also from a business and reputation standpoint. In 2016 the turnover was 3,413 million euro with a 2% increase vs. 2015 (with constant foreign exchange rates). In particular, 2016 was a year of growth for Region Europe, where the Group achieved an overall 4% increase in sales volumes and a 3% in turnover (with constant foreign exchange rates), results mainly driven by the pasta and sauce categories. In Italy the most important results were recorded in sauces and Voiello pasta. The “Better for you” segment (with whole grain, Gluten Free, Multi cereal, Mulino Verde and Wasa products), showed double digit growth thanks to the launch of new products. In the United States, Barilla increased its value market share in the pasta sector, bringing it to 31.4%, thanks to a higher consumption of the classic products sold in the iconic Blue Box (Semolina pasta and Pasta Pronto), and to the Barilla Premium Pasta innovative products (including Gluten Free, Collezione and Organic Pasta). In the annual ranking of the top 100 companies in the world for reputation, Barilla gained positions reaching the 23rd place at the global level, and the 2nd place among food companies.
BARILLA RESTAURANTS IN THE WORLD: IN 2017 NEW RESTAURANTS OPENING IN LOS ANGELES
In 2016 Barilla Restaurants continued in their mission to offer a dining and Mediterranean lifestyle experience: besides consolidating the business of the 3 Stars & Stripes restaurants in Manhattan, preparations activities are under way for new venues in Los Angeles on the West Coast. During the year a franchising agreement was signed with an important local player in the Arab member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which lead to the opening of 2 restaurants in Dubai in the month of November 2016, offering the local people and the many tourists of the United Arab Emirates a chance to taste Italian quality food and particularly pasta, a favourite in this part of the world.
BARILLA FOUNDATION PRESENTS THE FOOD SUSTAINABILITY INDEX
In 2016, the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition Foundation presented together with the The Economist Group the Food Sustainability Index, a global index on food sustainability, a unique tool to analyse the overall value represented by food. An important tool in making the food system more sustainable, the index lists the most virtuous countries in food production, distribution and consumption: where agriculture is more sustainable; where food waste is lower (and innovative policies to fight waste are adopted); and where diet is more balanced, without excesses and deficiencies, where attention is paid to people’s health and that of the planet.
Latest Press Releases
5 June 2024
BARILLA GROUPFrom Field to Fork: Barilla Group’s Continuous Efforts to innovate products and support sustainable farming - The new data in the 2023 Sustainability Report
On World Environment Day, Barilla Group unveils its latest Sustainability Report, showcasing 15 years of commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation, nutrition and community welfare
29 May 2024
BARILLA GROUPThe Power of Togetherness: New Study Reveals Shared Meals as the Key to Well-being and Happiness Across the Globe
Research by University of Minnesota and supported by Barilla Group unveils a significant link between the frequency of eating together and improved emotional well-being
23 May 2024
INNOVATIONBarilla and Plug and Play search for ideas and talents for the future of food: applications are open for Good Food Makers 2024
From 23 May to 30 June, start-ups active in the world of food can apply for an eight-week collaboration programme managed by Barilla.