Since 2008, we have been working to reduce emissions at our sites. The most important lever is the decarbonization of our production: at our German sites, we use electricity from renewable sources.
We have significantly reduced our Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions in recent years. At the same time, we are aware that the majority of our emissions fall within Scope 3. That is why we also aim to set an ambitious target in this area. We are currently working to define this target and committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) at the end of 2025.
Solar and wind power do not generate energy at a constant rate. Our solution: a virtual power plant connects the electricity generated by renewable energy systems across all our sites and distributes it precisely where it is needed. Since the end of 2025, this has enabled us to cover our entire electricity demand on a balance-sheet basis with electricity from renewable sources.
And the best part: other companies can join the alliance and feed in the renewable electricity they generate themselves. This expands our shared pool of electricity from wind, solar and biogas, which all partners can draw on according to their needs.
As early as 2013, we implemented a forward-looking energy concept at our Unterhaching site: the refrigeration system uses CO₂ as a refrigerant, while deep geothermal energy provides heat for some of our processes. We are also continuously investing in modern solutions at our Dingolfing site. A wood-chip heating plant went into operation there in 2012, followed by a combined heat and power plant, a photovoltaic system and a biological wastewater treatment system that also enables us to generate biogas.
In this way, we combine technological innovation with our commitment to responsible, long-term business practices.
What began as a pilot project in 2019 has now become established practice: brine from pickled cucumber production that would otherwise be disposed of as wastewater is made available in the Dingolfing region as an alternative to road salt for winter road maintenance. This helps save around 140 tonnes of salt and almost one million litres of water each year in and around Dingolfing.
Develey is increasingly using plant-based ingredients. Our entire mustard range is vegan, as are many of our delicatessen sauces.
Less packaging means less material, lower CO₂ emissions in logistics, and less residual waste. Our challenge: finding the most sustainable solutions while still protecting product quality. That’s why we rely on creative approaches and recyclable materials such as rPET and cardboard.
