As consumers increasingly expect the food and beverage and supplement industries to take a leading role in addressing climate change, Nexira, a global leader in natural ingredients, is proud to announce the launch of the third phase of its Acacia Program. This program aims to promote sustainability and positive social impact in Africa. At the same time, Nexira is making significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint.
Sustainability Commitment
Nexira's program has a long-standing commitment to preserving natural resources, supporting local communities, and promoting sustainable development. The company aligns its sustainability approach with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
For over a decade, Nexira has worked in Chad in collaboration with SOS Sahel, and its partners to protect the acacia resource, enhance the lives of local populations, and promote sustainability. Key achievements include increase of acacia gum production, reforestation efforts, action in favor of biodiversity through assisted natural regeneration, or improved cooking stoves.
The phase 3 of the Acacia Program is a significant milestone in Nexira's journey towards a more sustainable future. This initiative complements the phases 1 and 2 of Acacia Program and supports rural communities engaged in gum acacia production. It focuses on strengthening the gum acacia sector with more producers involved, a particular benefit for women, and a greater surface of responsible forest management.
Key objectives include:
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Involvement of 200 villages and 50,000 producers
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Work on 300,000 ha of sustainably managed forest
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Increase in quality and productivity of gum acacia from 2,600 tons to 5,000 tons
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Empowering women involved in the sector
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Implementation of regenerative natural agriculture methods
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Development of the gum acacia value chain
• Expanding access to financial services for producers
In addition, this phase of the Acacia Program could sequester over 60,000 tCO2e of emissions annually.
In 2023, Nexira has undertaken an innovative artistic initiative to highlight the Acacia Program. Photographer Nicolas Henry made an incredible series of photos entitled "TREES OF LIFE". These fascinating photographs were presented for the first time at the PHOTOCLIMAT biennial in Paris on September 2023. Its aim was to give a wider visibility to this fabulous program and to launch officially the third phase of the Acacia Program.
Carbon Footprint Reduction
"We must look to the future and carry strong values that correspond to us,” says Nexira's CEO, Mathieu Dondain. “Global warming is a significant challenge and, with inavea™ caring by nature project, Nexira is committed to contribute to collective carbon neutrality."
Nexira has been measuring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions since 2009. The company has identified and controlled emissions across its operations. With a reduction plan in place, Nexira has set up several actions such as a consequent investment in less emitting technologies and a collaborative work with suppliers on less emissive transport solutions.
These actions allowed a 9% reduction of our carbon footprint per ton of finished product between 2019 and 2022. This reduction represents about 5,500 tons of CO2, equivalent to 625 world tours by car*.
(*Ademe, www.impactco2.fr/convertisseur)
Nexira's dedication to sustainability and environmental responsibility is evident through its actions in reducing carbon emissions and driving social development through the Acacia Program. These initiatives demonstrate Nexira's firm commitment to making the food and beverage and supplement industries more environmentally friendly and socially inclusive.
About Nexira
Nexira is a global leader in natural and organic ingredients and botanical extracts for the food, health, and nutrition industries. The company is committed to sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility, striving to make a positive impact on the environment and local communities.
Nexira built its reputation as the world leader in acacia gum and now manufactures a wide range of natural products with recognized health benefits.
We operate on five continents, with 10 subsidiaries, eight manufacturing plants and an extensive network of partners in more than 80 countries.
