Palsgaard wins corporate social responsibility award

The award, for Best First Time CRS Report, aims to highlight the achievement of a firm which shows strong social responsibility in areas such as environment, climate, and social areas. Particular emphasis is placed on reports that detail progress in what the audit body describes as “a credible, understandable and manageable way.”​

The firm won the award because there was a “unifying principle between the company’s values and the topics selected for the CSR strategy and the implementation of these in the company’s policies, goals and targets,” ​according to the judges.

Potential customers​

Palsgaard managing director Jakob Thøisen told FoodNavigator.com that the award provided strong business benefits. “I see a CSR report as a qualifying document, when dealing with customers - and potential customers,” ​he said.​

”It benefits us in the way that its shows our commitment to make steady improvements within CSR related issues. It also shows that we work actively and committed with suppliers of raw materials, employees and customers.”​

It was important to implement accountability and sustainability procedures through every part of the organisation and the supply chain, he added.

“It is of great importance to us that we can satisfy our customers in their CSR demands and that our development and initiatives within the CSR area are keeping up with the supply chain demands which includes requests from the end-user,”​ said Thøisen. “Being a player on the global market Palsgaard often faces CSR demands from international companies, and it is our intention to become known for our social responsibility.”​

The firm’s next CSR objective was to make continuous improvements in order to meet its CO2 reduction target of zero emissions by 2020. It also plans to cut wastewater emission, by 1 litre per kg of finished product, and raw material consumption by 1kg per 100 kg of finished product.

Doing business​

Charlotte Jepsen, md of audit firm FSR said: “The CSR reports we've seen this year are of a very high quality and the awards aim to highlight the companies that through their way of doing business have shown strong social responsibility.​

“The FSR CSR Awards differ from other awards in the area by having weight and substance. The awards are an endorsement of the quality of companies' CSR efforts.”​

Palsgaard produces emulsifiers and stabilizers for bakery, confectionery, dairy, ice cream, fine foods and margarine categories.

Meanwhile, the main award for best combined annual and CSR report was given to pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk. Toy firm Lego received an award for best stand alone CSR report.