We strive for maximum use of (alternative) raw materials and by-products and residual waste flows in our chain. At the same time, we are making production processes more sustainable. In this way, we are turning our ambitions for a circular agricultural system into reality. We apply smart technologies in our companies and are developing innovative solutions to reduce emissions on veal farms. In doing so, we are committed to production that is in harmony with nature and the environment. We are also working to further reduce the footprint of our organisation and products.

Circular production

The VanDrie Group uses by-products or residual waste flows as much as possible. We are working to further increase the proportion of circular raw materials and to reduce our footprint. We keep our waste flows to a minimum. In this way, we contribute to the closing of cycles and efficient production.

Calves

All calves the VanDrie Group purchases for veal production come from dairy farms. A cow has to calve every year in order to produce milk. The dairy farmer cannot use every calf to replace his own dairy herd. The remaining calves are put to good use by the veal farming sector.

The calves in our Dutch integration primarily come from Dutch dairy farms, namely 61 percent. The VanDrie Group also purchases calves abroad. Our neighbour Germany provides 28 percent, with the remaining 11 percent coming from other EU member states.

Dairy raw materials

The production of dairy raw materials is done entirely with residual waste flows generated from the production of products such as cheese. We make these residual waste flows fit for human or animal consumption through our production process. We are committed to putting these raw materials to the best possible use. We produced 290,000 tonnes of dairy raw materials in 2023.

Animal feeds

We produce and trade in complete and nutritious animal feeds largely composed of residual waste flows, such as residual protein from the dairy industry and residual wheat. 91% of the raw materials we use in the production of calf milk replacer is circular. 

Meat and by-products

The VanDrie Group supplies whole carcasses, backs or necks, as well as smaller pieces of meat, such as schnitzels, entrecotes and veal escalopes. However, a calf consists of much more than meat. Less obvious parts of the calf, such as bones and fats, also have a use. By adapting processes and cutting products more intelligently, we are increasingly able to achieve a higher degree of utilisation. Parts unsuitable for human consumption are also put to valuable use, sometimes even in human healthcare. In this way, we make use of everything and nothing is wasted.

Calfskins and cowhides

The hide is processed into leather. The first step of this process takes place in our own chain. Calfskin is in high demand worldwide due to its fine texture and useful applications. After tanning, the hides go to shoe, bag and clothing manufacturers as leather.

Greenhouse gas emissions in the chain

Greenhouse gas emissions contribute to global warming. Reducing the emission of these gases is therefore essential. However, the processes in our companies still release greenhouse gases, for example when cooling meat, heating our location or buying energy. Transport and emissions on farms also contribute indirectly. Calves emit methane. Methane is a greenhouse gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect. This means we must take reduction measures in every link of the chain. We collaborate with various knowledge partners to reduce emissions in the veal farming sector.

Footprint of our products

In 2013 and 2020, the Dutch Veal Industry Association (Stichting Brancheorganisatie Kalversector, SBK) had the footprint of veal produced in the Netherlands calculated by Blonk Consultants. In addition to CO2 equivalents, this environmental impact concerns sub-components such as energy consumption, land use, acidification and eutrophication for the production of veal. As a sector player and member of SBK, the VanDrie Group made a significant in kind contribution to the calculation of this life cycle assessment (LCA).

In addition to the sectoral LCA, we are committed to mapping our corporate footprint, also known as Organisational Environmental Footprint. We do this using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Whereas our focus was originally on mapping the Dutch situation, we now do this at European level, including every company within the VanDrie Group according to materiality.

Scope 1 & 2 emissions

We are currently carrying out our calculation of our scope 1 and 2 emissions. These are emissions that occur at our company sites, with our own equipment, or from energy and heat sources that we buy in ourselves. Although we are mapping our impact here, this does not prevent our companies from becoming more sustainable.

For instance, the proportion of renewable energy we generate or purchase ourselves is expanding steadily. For example, business locations in France and the Netherlands have invested in solar panels. There is also a focus on reducing energy consumption and on more efficient production. By recovering the heat generated in various processes and reusing it in different processes, we are increasingly able to carry out multiple operations with the same energy consumption. Several of our companies have already set themselves ambitious targets. For example, our Dutch meat processing companies expect to be able to operate virtually gas-free by 2025. The food safety and quality of our products are taken into account at all stages. No compromises are made here.

Scope 3 emissions

Like most companies, by far the most emissions in our organisation are expected to come from our 'upstream' and 'downstream' chain. Having mapped our impact within this scope, we plan to work with relevant stakeholders in the various links of the chain in a targeted way to reduce our emissions further.