"We see it as our responsibility to take action against climate change – which is why we committed to becoming climate neutral as early as 2008."
Michael und Stefan Durach, CEOs of Develey Senf & Feinkost GmbH
As a family-owned company, we think in generations. For us, sustainability means leading Develey in a way that makes it future-ready for the next generation. Our integrated approach is built on three pillars: People, Environment, and Regionality – all aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Our strategy is guided by the principle: “Zero is our goal.” Instead of taking small interim steps, we pursue ambitious targets in key areas of action.
The path toward more sustainable business practices requires perseverance and constant inspiration, not only from within. That’s why we’re especially proud when our efforts are recognized externally. Awards encourage us and reflect the success of our employees’ dedication.
The vision is born: We start...Our goal is zero! We want to produce climate-neutral at all locations worldwide by 2025.
Two lighthouse projects in Unterhaching are ensuring climate-friendly production: the sustainable cooling generation and heat recovery as well as the connection to the deep geothermal energy. The central air conditioning system works with CO2 as a natural coolant and saves energy – a real pioneering feat in a production facility at the time. The result of the deep geothermal energy can also be seen: Since 2013, nearly all processes in the plant have been heated with geothermal energy: 100% of the heating comes from deep geothermal energy and the process heat is also primarily generated with geothermal energy.
Sustainable Investments at Other Locations
Between 2012 and 2017, Develey launched key initiatives to promote climate-friendly production: In Dingolfing, a woodchip heating plant has been reducing CO₂ emissions by 3,000 tons annually since 2012. This was followed in 2016 by an efficient combined heat and power (CHP) plant.
In Dijon, a biogas facility has been converting production waste into electricity and heat since 2014 – in combination with an on-site wastewater treatment plant.
Photovoltaic systems in Vienna, Bautzen, and Pfarrkirchen further support our energy transition. In Bautzen, the solar panels already cover around a quarter of the site’s electricity needs.
Since 2013, our site in Unterhaching and our central administration have been officially climate-neutral. By 2020, this status was extended to all German locations. Until 2023, remaining emissions were offset through CO₂ certificates. Starting in 2024, Develey is pursuing a new, more ambitious goal: climate neutrality without compensation – aiming to reduce our carbon footprint to net zero by 2033.
After years of dedicated development, we’ve achieved our goal:
All of our recipes are now completely palm oil free.
Our range of products in PET bottles containing 30% recycled PET continues to grow:
In addition to the syrups and vinegars from Mautner Markhof, all Develey PET bottles now also consist of 30% recycled PET.
With the development of a virtual power plant, Develey has begun converting the electricity supply at its German sites to renewable energy from in-house sources. Photovoltaic and wind power systems feed into a central platform that distributes green electricity intelligently across our production sites. This initiative marks a milestone on our path to climate-neutral production – and is a clear expression of our commitment to responsible action.
