THE SUSTAINABILITY INTERVIEW
Resiliency in the supply chain As a business that sits in the middle of the food value chain, Tate & Lyle is exposed to climate-related risks both upstream at farm level and downstream through customers’ changing requirements.
“ We act as a corridor from the farm to the fork, so resilience in the supply chain is incredibly important,” Rowan says.“ An efficient supply chain is not enough – it needs to be a resilient supply chain.”
Rowan’ s resilience strategy focuses on three areas: diversified sourcing, diversified raw materials and regenerative agriculture.
Tate & Lyle works with Manus to provide an alternative stevia supply chain outside China for Reb M, a high-purity stevia ingredient used as a zero-calorie sweetener. “ It’ s not that the traditional China supply chain doesn’ t work,” Rowan explains.“ But now our customers have options, which adds resilience if challenges arise.”
On raw materials, Tate & Lyle has reduced its historical dependence on maize or corn. About five years ago, roughly 85 % of revenue came from corn-based ingredients. Following the CP Kelco acquisition and portfolio shifts, that figure is now nearer 50 %, with more from citrus, seaweed and other crops.
Regenerative agriculture, meanwhile, is used to improve soil health, increase yields and boost climate resilience at farm level. “ There is a lot of risk in agricultural supply chains, and resilience has to be built in from the ground up,” Rowan says.
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