In 2018, we adjusted many of our policies regarding sustainability. In 2019, we will continue and even further expand our Corporate Sustainable Responsibility. We have established a sustainable policy plan to support our efforts.
Cosmogroup chooses its suppliers critically
To prevent illegal and questionable trade, we investigate every potential supplier before collaborating with them. One of our criteria is that they must also make sustainable efforts. Certification from ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems or ISO 26000 Social Corporate Responsibility is a good guideline. This standard provides practical tools for companies and organizations of all kinds to manage their environmental responsibilities. This way, we can guarantee that our ingredients, raw materials, packaging, etc. are harvested or produced in an environmentally friendly manner.
Cosmogroup ensures a sustainable procurement policy
In addition to price, quality, and delivery time, we also focus on sustainability in our procurement decisions. We evaluate the social and environmental aspects of every purchase. We discuss our long-term relationships with our suppliers to ensure transparency, process improvement, and efficient purchasing policies. Therefore, we select our suppliers very carefully. Additionally, we also try to find European suppliers so that we can shorten transportation distances.
Cosmogroup dresses its employees in sustainable clothing
We can guarantee that our workwear comes from European factories and is made from sustainable fabrics. Our supplier is constantly looking for quality, innovation, and improvements. Workwear also includes protective clothing to ensure the safety of our employees during the production process.
Cosmogroup and social welfare
At Cosmogroup, we invest heavily in human capital. By creating engagement, our employees become active participants in our mission and values. Additionally, we invest in a good work-life balance. Happy and motivated employees can only benefit our operations. Furthermore, we strongly support equal opportunities. Our multicultural team includes women, men, young people, and older individuals. To enhance our employees' knowledge, we regularly organize internal company training sessions.
Cosmogroup and biological production
At Cosmogroup, we have adapted our production to also be able to produce organic products. This means we had to reorganize our production department, look for organic ingredients and raw materials, and also adapt our way of working. The four principles of organic farming are:
- Health: the preservation and improvement of the health of the soil, plants, animals, and humans as a single, indivisible whole.
- Ecology: Organic production must be based on living ecological systems, work in harmony with them, mimic them, and help support them.
- Honestybuilding relationships that ensure honesty regarding the shared environment and life opportunities.
- CareBiological production must be managed responsibly to protect the health and well-being of present and future generations and the environment.
Cosmogroup and Recycled Packaging Materials
At Cosmogroup, we aim to prevent global deforestation by using recycled packaging materials. Our cardboard boxes are made from FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®)-certified material. A product bearing this label contributes to better management of the world’s forest resources. Not only is our cardboard packaging sustainable, but our plastic packaging is also made from innovative PET solutions that can be recycled again afterward. The lightweight nature of PET makes production and transportation easier. This allows our supplier to reduce carbon emissions during production, which makes a significant contribution to environmental protection. Unfortunately, we do not always have the freedom to choose eco-friendly packaging. We have made a conscious decision not to use undesirable chemicals such as preservatives and colorants. As a result, our options for safe, high-quality packaging are limited, as we must be able to guarantee the quality and shelf life of the product. The products are packaged in a modified atmosphere. We are constantly conducting research to find sustainable solutions for packaging that is not yet sustainable.
Cosmogroup digitizes its paperwork
At Cosmogroup, we try to print as little as possible. We have an online document sharing tool for our employees, communication with customers and suppliers is done by phone or email, and we will update our inventory management with a digital batch reporting system. When we do use paper, it is from certified FSC® material.
Cosmogroup and the renewable energy effort
One of the main causes of the melting of the polar ice caps is global greenhouse gas emissions. That is why we are trying to switch to renewable energy as much as possible. For example, we have replaced all our lighting from fluorescent to LED. LED lighting is much more energy-efficient and has a long lifespan, making it environmentally friendly. We have also updated our vehicle fleet and asked our energy provider, Eandis, to install a digital meter to track our energy consumption.
Cosmogroup and Fairtrade Chocolate Flavor
In recent years, we have seen a growing customer demand for responsibly sourced cocoa. Therefore, Cosmogroup has decided to use Fairtrade chocolate for all BSFood products with the ‘Belgian Chocolate’ flavor. The raw materials for the chocolate, including cocoa, sugar, and natural vanilla, come from African countries and are Fairtrade certified. The chocolate production takes place in Belgium. The Fairtrade Certification Mark ensures that the product meets specific economic, social, and environmental standards. The mark is the most recognized social and development label in the world and a registered trademark of Fairtrade International (FLO).
Cosmogroup’s plant-based ingredients as its core business
At Cosmogroup, our core business is the production of plant-based food and sports nutrition supplements. By producing and consuming plant-based foods and supplements, we can reduce our ecological footprint. We use safe alternatives for everything that nature cannot provide, such as plant-based micronutrients. Our products are manufactured in accordance with strict policies against animal testing. Every product is guaranteed to be cruelty-free and laboratory-tested.
Cosmogroup and Its Waste Management Policy
As a socially responsible company, we also pay close attention to our waste management policy. All waste from our production is sorted and collected by specialized waste treatment facilities. In addition, except for our production activities, we use only recycled rainwater (for toilets, washing cars, etc.).
Cosmogroup uses microalgae from safe coastal ecosystems
Most dipeptides and tripeptides, omega-3, vitamins, and minerals come from animals. But algae are also an important source of these ingredients. We have chosen to use only plant-based sources in our BSFood product line. Algae can be a good alternative to food. It doesn’t always have to be cultivated in warm regions; Northwest Europe is also suitable for algae production. We only purchase algae that have been cultivated in Europe, in coastal systems. This means shorter transport distances and a safe harvest for marine life.
Cosmogroup and its environmentally friendly fleet
The continuous traffic flow and the associated air pollution are among the biggest concerns when it comes to global warming. To actively prevent further damage to the ozone layer hole, we have adapted our fleet. Our company cars are electric or run on CNG. For the transport of our goods, we work with logistics companies whose trucks run on 6th generation gasoline.
Cosmogroup invests in ergonomic furniture
Because the health of our employees is important to us, we have invested in ergonomic furniture, such as adjustable office chairs. But we have also made adjustments to our production lines. We have installed additional machines and equipment so that our employees have to lift fewer heavy bags.
Cosmogroup Invests in Research on Biomass Waste Streams
With environmental awareness in mind, we have sought out high-quality ingredients produced using sustainable protein recovery technology from biomass waste streams. Thanks to this research, we are able to utilize nutrients extracted from waste products. By doing so, we can prevent a tremendous amount of food waste. We support various university research teams to learn more about the potential of food waste and to develop environmentally friendly ways to utilize waste streams. We strive to use as much biomass as possible in our BSFood products. In Vegandelight, for example, we use, among other ingredients, protein from defatted organic peanuts.
Cosmogroup offers its employees the option to work from home
Employees working in administration, marketing, communications, etc., have the option to work from home at least one day a week. This option benefits not only the employees but also the environment, specifically by reducing car emissions. Employees have flexible work schedules and don’t have to worry about traffic jams, etc.
Cosmogroup and Innovation
At Cosmogroup, we invest heavily in innovation, but we always keep in mind that our innovation is focused on environmental considerations. We work closely with various universities to support them in the research and development of alternative raw materials and ingredients, such as those derived from biomass waste streams. In our Lean Six Sigma Manufacturing principles, we also strive to find the right balance between people, the planet, and the economy.