Dear Stakeholders,
We have successfully completed another reporting period in our commitment to our vision: #FarmToTableForASustainableFuture. I am delighted to present our eighth Sustainability Report, inspired by the unwavering dedication of the Sütaş family to advancing “environmental sustainability,” “health and happiness of people,” and “development and prosperity of society.” This report provides an in-depth look at our efforts to promote environmental, social, and economic sustainability throughout the entire “Farm to Table” milk value chain, fueled by our passion for sharing the goodness and abundance of milk.
As we advance toward 2025 marking a half-century since our founding let me share the key milestones from 2023 that have propelled us closer to our ambitious sustainability goals.
- An increasingly pressing global priority, combating climate change is a strategic goal at Sütaş. At our biogas facilities, we process manure and organic waste from our farms to produce electricity, steam, and hot water, achieving remarkable outcomes. In 2023, we expanded the biogas electricity production capacity at our four integrated facilities to 20.2 MWh. This upgrade allowed us to generate 88% of the total energy requirement of our production facilities. As a result, we prevented greenhouse gas emissions exceeding three times those generated by our operations (Scope 1 and 2).
- By implementing efficiency projects, optimizing processes, and investing in renewable energy, we achieved a 9% reduction in emissions intensity compared to the previous year.
- The organic and organomineral fertilizers derived from our biogas outputs supplied over 51,000 metric tons of organic material back into the soils where feed for our cattle is grown, surpassing our 2025 target. This approach has boosted crop yields while improving the organic structure of the soil and enhancing its capacity to retain water and carbon. In 2023 alone, we enhanced soil health and productivity across 112 square kilometers of farmland, expanding our total land restoration efforts to 239 square kilometers since 2020.
- Aligned with our goal of utilizing farm rooftops to expand renewable energy production, we commissioned rooftop solar power plants with a total capacity of 10.38 MWp at our Aksaray and Tire Integrated Facilities, along with a 1 MWp solar power plant at our Bingöl Integrated Facilities in 2023. Efforts are progressing swiftly at other locations as we work toward our 2025 target of 25 MWp.
- Today, the risk of drought is escalating globally daily, making every drop of water increasingly valuable. Bearing that responsibility, we are committed to water efficiency and continually evaluate our processes in agricultural irrigation and dairy production.
- Since 2020, we have been actively working to reduce the amount of plastic used in our packaging. Through innovative technology and design, we have eliminated 1,262 metric tons of plastic from our packaging.
- We have a business model that drives sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Through our integrated facilities in Karacabey in the Marmara Region, Aksaray in the Central Anatolia Region, Tire in the Aegean Region, and finally Bingöl in the Eastern-Southeastern Anatolia Region, we continue to make significant contributions to rural development in particular and create value for all segments of society in the regions where we operate.
- In parallel with global and national sustainability developments, we consider calculating scope 3 emissions and identifying the climate impact across our entire value chain and collaborating with our stakeholders to mitigate this impact a top priority. To this end, we have launched a comprehensive initiative to map our entire network of suppliers and customers.
Dear Stakeholders,
I invite you to explore this progress report, which charts our path toward our 2025 sustainability goals and embodies our Farm to Table for a Sustainable Future vision. My deepest gratitude goes to our stakeholders, and particularly to my colleagues, whose shared passion for sustainability continues to drive our mission forward.
Duygu Yılmaz
Head of the Sustainability Committee
