Heineken Croatia Secured 98% of Raw Materials from Domestic Producers in 2015

Heineken Croatia presented its seventh Sustainability Report on Friday, reviewing achievements in this area for the year 2015. The report showcases progress in the “Creating a Better World” strategy and encompasses the company’s key projects in the field of social responsibility, focusing on six key areas: protection of drinking water sources, reduction of CO₂ emissions, sustainable sourcing, promotion of responsible alcohol consumption, promotion of health and safety at work, and collaboration with the local community.

Through optimizations and investments in production facilities, technology, and distribution, the company continuously strives to reduce its harmful impact on the environment. This has resulted in a 16% reduction in specific direct and indirect CO₂ emissions compared to 2014, as well as a 9% decrease in CO₂ emissions in distribution. Furthermore, all 820 refrigerators purchased in 2015 were environmentally friendly, and significant progress was also recorded in the area of non-recyclable industrial waste production, which is 42% lower compared to 2014. An important aspect of the company’s sustainable business includes sustainable sourcing of agricultural raw materials, which amounted to as much as 92.7% in 2015. Additionally, the company continues to initiate various initiatives and collaborations with local farmers to use raw materials of Croatian origin in beer production.

– In 2015, we sourced as much as 98% of raw materials from local sources. In addition to using barley from Croatian fields for the production of Karlovačko, we launched a project for the purchase of Neretva mandarins for our Karlovačko Leđero Natur Radler, in which we now have juice from domestic mandarins. By sourcing locally, we support Croatian agriculture and contribute to the sustainability of domestic raw material production, and such business practices allow us to improve the quality of life for local residents and communities, protect the environment, and ensure a constant supply of key raw materials, emphasized Valentina Belavić, Director of the Supply Chain Sector.

Responsible alcohol consumption, with a focus on the issue of underage consumption, is another important aspect of sustainable business that the company continued to invest in during 2015.

– We believe that beer is an excellent product and that, if consumed in moderation, it can be part of a balanced lifestyle. At the same time, we believe it is our duty to encourage people to consume responsibly, and we promote this message through various initiatives both outside and within the company. In 2015, we continued the project “For the Responsible Growing Up of Youth” aimed at raising awareness and educating the public about the issue of underage alcohol consumption. Additionally, we once again implemented the initiative “I am 18+” at the Beer Days in Karlovac – with the help of wristbands that guarantee adulthood, waiters avoided serving beer to minors. Responsible consumption campaigns are continuously conducted internally as part of Responsible Consumption Days aimed at educating employees on this topic,” said Ljudmila Bratko Gašpić, Head of Corporate Communications at the company.

An integral part of Heineken Croatia’s business is also the health and safety of employees. Under the “Safety First” approach, the company organizes various activities in the area of workplace safety for them. In 2015, 1,600 hours of workplace safety training were held, with as many as 300 employees participating in online training, and safe driving training was organized for employees in the sales sector. The number of accidents was reduced from four to one compared to the previous year.

The company also cares for the local community and supports various events such as the Ivanjski Krijes, River Cinema with Karlovačko, and Beer Days. However, its greatest contribution to the community in which it operates is precisely in its business – creating jobs for 329 people and providing work for hundreds of suppliers.