American Students Learn About Sustainability from Croatian Producer Naše klasje

Graduate students from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, visited Naše klasje in Zaprešić last week, a producer of fresh pasta, to learn more about sustainability within the company. The American students recognized it for its commitment to sustainable business practices, which is why they asked the owner and director, Zoran Šimunić, to mentor them in their project that has now been ongoing for six months. Specifically, by relocating to a new facility in 2019, known as the ‘Green House’, the company further emphasized its commitment to environmental protection through sustainable production practices.

This was precisely the reason for their visit to the Croatian company, which was founded in 2001 as a greenfield investment in food production and has since become the largest producer of Aurelia fresh pasta made from Baranja durum semolina. As Mia Bednaž, an external associate of Naše klasje, stated, sustainability is one of the pressing current topics in both society and the economy and every form of business. Under Šimunić’s mentorship, the American students have spent the past six months researching sustainable practices in the food industry through digital channels. During their visit to the production facility in Zaprešić, they presented their ideas and the first phase of their projects, focusing on the topic of sustainable packaging.

– We are surprised by the dedication with which the students approached the task. They thoroughly researched the domestic and foreign markets. They showed exceptional interest in our approach to sustainability, which was innovative for them. They had not had the opportunity to see the level of sustainability practiced by our company, which has about 50 employees, in their own country – explained Šimunić.

Collaboration and work on the project will continue, and they expect a final online presentation in April. As Bednaž stated, Croatian producers have products and rich experience that they can bring to foreign markets, and this initiative highlights the importance of international exchange of knowledge and experiences in creating a more sustainable economy.