Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) has continuously reduced food loss throughout its operations and repurposed food waste and by-products into valuable resources such as animal feed, fertiliser, and alternative energy, according to a company-issued press release. This initiative aligns with CP Foods' commitment to transitioning towards a low-carbon business while upholding sustainable food security.

Kobboon Srichai, head of corporate affairs and investor relations at CP Foods, stated the company's commitment to conducting business with a focus on delivering positive environmental impacts. This commitment is demonstrated by embracing the principles of the circular economy across its value chain. This involves efficient resource utilization, optimizing production processes for maximum benefits and productivity, creating value-added products from waste, and managing food loss and waste to achieve zero food waste from operation to landfill by 2030.

CP Foods has implemented various initiatives to reduce food loss by enhancing the efficiency of machinery and equipment across its manufacturing plants. For example, at the egg and bread processing plant, the implementation of air expulsion in damaged egg pipes has reduced waste by over 45 tons annually. Additionally, improvements made to the spiral conveyor in the ready-to-eat plant have decreased product drop by 1.25 tons each year. In the aquaculture business, the company utilizes technology to enhance the value of by-products and recycle inedible waste, saving 9,100 tons annually from landfill disposal.

The aquaculture feed technology team has increased by-products e.g. blood, meat scraps, and feathers and recycles inedible waste instead of landfill. The aquaculture feed team has collaborated with a fishmeal supplier using and developing by-products (fish soluble) into novel feed raw materials, offering a sustainable alternative that could replace imported raw materials.

Moreover, CP Foods' poultry business is dedicated to improving efficiency throughout production and strictly adhering to animal welfare principles. Automated conveyor systems have been installed within barns to minimize egg damage during transportation, and leftover chicken parts from the trimming process are repurposed to create pet treats, adding further value. Additionally, inedible parts such as chicken carcasses, feathers, and damaged eggs are utilized in animal feed production.

Kobboon also elaborated on the company's Food Waste policy, highlighting their ongoing collaboration with the SOS Foundation (Thailand) in executing the "Circular Meal: This Meal Change the World" project for its fourth consecutive year. This initiative involves distributing food surplus from CP Foods' distribution centers to prepare ready-to-eat meals for delivery to vulnerable groups in the Bangkok area. In 2023, over 79,000 meals were delivered, helping reduce food waste by over 18 tons, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 47 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, and planting approximately 5,000 trees.

"CP Foods places significant emphasis on food loss and waste management across our value chain. We leverage technology and innovation to prevent and reduce food loss and to transform waste into valuable resources. In 2023, we effectively managed food loss during production processes and minimized food waste, reclaiming nearly 80% for reuse," stated Kobboon.