It would be difficult, if not impossible, to have a day go by without coming across a Mondelez product. Mondelez India Foods Private Limited (formerly Cadbury India Ltd.), has been present in India for 75 years. The company introduced Cadbury Dairy Milk and Bournvita in India in 1948 and has been a leader in the chocolate category since then. Besides the iconic brands, the company is also known for its commitment to sustainable practices across the globe.
This interview opens with their breakthrough innovation- WoW boards. Created from Multi Layered Plastic (MLP), these boards are not only a sustainable alternative to traditional plywood but also play a pivotal role in waste management and environmental consciousness. The company had collaborated with Hasiru Dala and TrashCon to transform MLP waste into these multipurpose boards. The product is only one of the steps taken by Mondelez towards a greener future. As a global conglomerate, their ESG strategy encompasses sustainable packaging, sustainable ingredients, social impact, climate & environment, DEI, consumer well-being, and employee well-being. We also discuss the highlights of their progress in India with respect to these areas.
In this exclusive interview with Ms. Ophira Bhatia, Senior Director, India & Lead, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Corporate & Government Affairs- Mondelez International, TheCSRUniverse gets the insights on their overarching vision on sustainability, their impressive ESG metrics and measures to reduce carbon footprint. In addition to sustainability, we touch upon the current status of their flagship CSR initiative Shubh Arambh and their plans on enhancing their social impact.
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Q. Mondelez India recently introduced WoW boards made from recycled Multi Layered Plastic. Tell us a little more about what these boards are, their applications and how do you see them contributing to the company’s sustainability efforts?
A. One of the key pillars of our sustainability strategy is sustainable packaging. Our sustainable packaging strategy is designed to support the concept of circularity in the long run. Our strategy is focused on three key areas: less packaging, better packaging, and improved systems. As we support a circular pack economy, our focus is not only to reduce and reuse, and move towards more recyclable packaging but also support in improving systems like collection and segregation.
Towards that end, in 2021, we joined hands with Hasiru Dala, a leading NGO, and TrashCon, a start-up, both based in Bangalore to transform multi-layer plastic waste into boards called as Wealth out of Waste or WoW boards that are made from mechanically compressed MLP waste. This is a sustainable alternative to traditional plywood. These revolutionary WoW Boards have proven to be versatile and environmentally friendly, and they come in numerous applications. One notable application is the production of benches and tables which were supplied to four schools in Bangalore. The durable and sustainable furniture pieces have not only provided functional seating and workspace for students, but also exemplifies the brand’s commitment to lead efforts towards effective waste management and environmental consciousness. Moreover, these WoW Boards have played a crucial role in renovating the shelter at Swachhagraha Kalika Kendra, a learning center located in Bangalore by replacing tetra pack sheets used for the existing roofs. This upgrade has enhanced the shelter's structural integrity and showcased the potential of WoW Boards as a sustainable alternative in construction materials. Crucially this investment has helped the NGO create a social enterprise, creating jobs and supporting downstream waste collectors and the overall ecosystem.
Elevating our commitment, we have also used WoW boards to design aworking space at the City Armed Reserve (CAR) campus in Adugodi, a first of its kind effort within the city's Police department. This facility serves as a shelter for workers at the waste management facility, reiterating the company’s dedication to sustainable practices and creating a positive impact on the environment.
In November 2021, we also invested in the Circulate Capital Ocean Fund (CCOF), a fund dedicated to help address India and Southeast Asia’s plastics challenges. Our investment will help CCOF support scalable business solutions to help develop infrastructure for the collecting, sorting, and recycling of plastic waste, including flexible films, in India and Southeast Asia. It will enhance the focus on the physical collection of flexible films – lightweight, multi-layer plastics used by the snacking industry – that have traditionally been more difficult to collect, sort, recycle and ultimately reuse. Our investment in CCOF is also expected to help finance enterprises that support our goal to collect more plastic waste than we currently produce across India and Southeast Asia.
Q. As a global conglomerate, how does Mondelez view sustainability? How does this vision shape their sustainability strategy in India?
A. Sustainability, one of Mondelēz International’s strategic pillars, is core to our purpose – to empower people to snack right by delivering the right snack, at the right moment, made the right way.
This perspective remains integral to our strategy in India. We understand that consumers have diverse snacking preferences and well-being needs. Therefore, we are committed to offering a broad portfolio of snacks, ensuring to cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. We also take great pride in managing our supply chains sustainably, minimizing our environmental impact, and upholding the rights and well-being of all individuals involved in our value chain. Our collaborative, innovative, and transformative approaches drive us to achieve strong progress towards our 2025 ESG global goals. Through partnerships with external advisors, regulators, and stakeholders, we maximize our positive impact in the long run. As a global company, we are dedicated to using our scale to run a successful business while contributing positively to society and the planet.
Q. Mondelez India has made significant progress in the realm of ESG metrics. Could you highlight some of the key metrics and goals that the company has set for itself?
A. Mondelez International’s ESG strategy focuses on Sustainable packaging, Sustainable Ingredients, Social Impact, Climate & Environment, DEI, Consumer Well -Being and Employee Well Being as its key focus areas central to supporting growth and creating long-term value for both the business and our stakeholders.
Some of our key India highlights include –
Social Impact
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Supported women led NGO, Hasiru Dala and start-up, Trashcon, for Project Wealth out of Waste Boards (WoW) that aims to transform multi-layered plastic packaging waste into construction materials.
Climate & Environment
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Three out of our four sites in India – Induri (Maharashtra), Baddi (Himachal Pradesh), Malanpur (Madhya Pradesh) moved to securing 100% of their electricity from renewable sources
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In fact, India’s largest distribution centre – the Bhiwandi depot that caters to customers from Mumbai and nearby locations, houses a solar captive power plant of impressive scale and size. With over 800 rooftop solar panels and inverters connected to an existing electricity grid, this new construct enables our depot to operate on a green energy hybrid model.
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Saved approximately 29,000m3 of water in our manufacturing processes (vs. 2018)
Sustainable Packaging
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Partnered with the Circulate Capital Ocean Fund (CCOF), a fund dedicated to addressing India and Southeast Asia’s plastics challenges.
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Our plastic recycling efforts in partnership with plastic waste management agencies and plastic waste processors has enabled us to recycle up to 75% of our post-consumer plastic in 2022 – approximately, a 10% increase in recyclability compared to 2021.
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Initiatives included less packaging, for example elimination of single-use plastic (overwrap film)in the in Cadbury Celebrations Gift packs, better packaging such as recycle-ready packs; and the introduction of post-consumer recycled PET for the ‘tray’ in Cadbury Rich Dry Fruit Collection Celebrations pack and ‘spoon’ in Cadbury Lickables.
Sustainable Ingredients
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We distribute millions of cocoa saplings to support cocoa growing in the four southern states of India. We also provide support and extension services to cocoa farmersincluding planting materials, training and are now innovating to improve digital access to farming expertise and collaborating to improve farm productivity. We have worked with partners to enable farmers with access to a Cocoa Digi-App, giving them easy up-to-date access to knowledge on good agricultural and environmental practices
Community Wellbeing
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For over 9 years, we have invested in Shubh Aarambh and programme focused on 7–14 year old children and providing them nutrition education, encouraging sports and active play and access to fresh foods through growing kitchen gardens in their schools and homes. We have worked with 100,000 beneficiaries across 120 schools to transform their lives and nutrition and health parameters. We are also currently working on activating the government’s Eat Right Programme in these schools.
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Recently through our Good Luck Girls Program, we work with parents and other community stakeholders to support adolescent girls to engage in sports and aspire to pursue sports as a career. We encourage them to participate in different sports-related activities. Donating sports kits is a key component of the program, and our colleagues have participated enthusiastically in this through the year. The program has reached over 50,000 girls across four locations through the activities implemented over the year 2022
Q. Minimizing carbon footprint is an urgent concern for corporates around the world. What major steps has Mondelez India taken so far at the levels of operations, supply chain, and packaging to lower their carbon footprint?
A. At Mondelez India, we have taken significant measures to minimize its carbon footprint across various aspects of its operations. Some key examples include:
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We have made substantial progress in plastic recycling initiatives. Through collaborations with plastic waste management agencies and processors, we have achieved a recycling rate of up to 75% in our post-consumer plastic in 2022, a significant increase of nearly 10% in recyclability compared to 2021.
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India continues in its quest to execute with excellence and adopt innovative transport solutions with a strong focus on sustainability.
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We have partnered with carriers and third-party logistics suppliers to conduct pilots on electric trucks. By usage of CNG vehicles, incorporating electric vehicles into our supply chain, transport via sea, we aim to reduce carbon emissions associated with logistics.
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We partnered with the Indian Railways to enable movements of our products from South India to North India. With this partnership multi-modal supply chain got greener, faster, and more efficient.
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We have also implemented measures such as reducing packaging, eliminating single-use plastics, introducing recycle-ready packs and utilizing post-consumer recycled PET for specific product lines. These efforts contribute to the company's commitment to sustainable packaging practices and reducing plastic waste.
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Additionally, we continue to place significant emphasis on electrification and alternate fuels within our operations to further decarbonize sources of emissions. Notably, three out of our four sites in India – Induri (Maharashtra), Baddi (Himachal Pradesh) and Malanpur (Madhya Pradesh) have transitioned to sourcing 100% of their electricity from renewable sources, underscoring our company’s commitment to renewable energy adoption and reducing its environmental impact.
Q. Consumer behaviour plays a crucial role in sustainability efforts. How does Mondelez India educate and engage consumers in making sustainable choices? Would you like to mention any specific campaigns or initiatives aimed at raising awareness and promoting responsible consumption?
A. Mondelez India recognizes the significant role of consumer behaviour in driving sustainability efforts and actively educates and engages consumers in making sustainable choices. The company has deployed several measures to promote sustainability and responsible consumption. These include:
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Front of Pack Labelling: We aim to provide transparent information to consumers through front-of-pack labelling and voluntarily include details on the number of calories and percentage of Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) on our products, aligning with globally accepted norms.
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Mindful Snacking: We want to help consumers easily enjoy the right snacks throughout their day and inspire them to snack mindfully so they can savor and feel good about each and every snack. A major part of our commitment to Mindful Snacking comes to life in our focus on portion control pack formats. We established this goal in 2019 and aligned our approach globally to begin activation in 2020. Showcasing our commitment to our "Snacking Made Right” inspired purpose, in India we will be adding the Mindful Snacking logo to our premium packs.
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Cocoa Life Program: Another important aspect of Mondelez India's sustainability efforts lies in our commitment towards building diverse and inclusive cocoa communities through our 58-year-old cocoa life programme that positively impacts 1,00,000+ farmers across the four key southern states. In India, we have distributed millions of saplings across the country over the last three years, and provide Cocoa Life farmers with planting materials, guidance and training. We are now innovating to improve digital access to farming expertise and collaborating to improve farm productivity. For instance, we have worked with partners to enable farmers with access to a Cocoa Digi-App, giving them easy up-to-date access to knowledge on good agricultural and environmental practices. Through the app, farmers can also access information on cocoa pest and diseases controls based on weather patterns, scientific knowledge and biodiversity protection. Another exampleis our 38-year partnership with the Kerala Agriculture University, which enables the application of world-class research to local cocoa farming productivity.
Q. Shubh Arambh has been one of Mondelez India's flagship CSR programs. Can you provide us with an update on the current status of this initiative? Apart from Shubh Arambh, what are the other major ongoing or upcoming social initiatives by Mondelez India?
A. The Shubh Aarambh program, having achieved significant progress and positively impacted numerous lives, will now seamlessly run in parallel with our other CSR initiatives. Since its inception, the program has made remarkable strides, leaving a lasting impact on eight states including Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala It has also positively influenced the lives of approximately 100,000 plus beneficiaries. These encompass children, youth, mothers, and teachers residing in close proximity to Mondelez India's manufacturing and cocoa operations. The program's commitment to schools and school going children as primary beneficiaries, in conjunction with other flagship projects, will remain steadfast. At Mondelez India, we recognize the vital role educational institutions play in fostering holistic development and will continue to foster partnerships that amplify the impact of the program. Through continued dedication and strategic interventions, Shubh Aarambh will continue to empower communities to become change agents in driving social, physical, and emotional wellbeing.
Q. Looking ahead, what are the future goals and aspirations of Mondelez India towards achieving higher levels of sustainability? Are there any new initiatives or partnerships on the horizon that we can expect to see in the coming years?
A. At Mondelez India, we are working towards well defined future goals and aspirations in the areas of sustainability. The company is committed to driving positive change and has several initiatives and partnerships on the horizon. Broadly, we will continue to focus on -
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Sustainable Sourcing: We will continue to prioritize sustainable sourcing practices, ensuring the responsible and traceable origin of key ingredients. We will work towards strengthening collaborations with farmers and suppliers to support sustainable agriculture and uplift rural communities
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Packaging Innovation: As a company we aim to reduce the environmental impact of our packaging. This includes exploring innovative packaging solutions, such as recyclable or compostable materials, lightweight designs, or initiatives focused on reducing overall packaging waste
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Climate Action: Given the increasing focus on climate change, the company is actively working towards intensifying its efforts to mitigate its carbon footprint
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Collaborative Partnerships: Mondelez India will continue to forge partnerships with NGOs, government bodies, and industry peers to amplify its impact. These collaborations will focus on addressing pressing social and environmental issues, such as promoting sustainable livelihoods, supporting education and nutrition programs, and fostering community development
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Consumer Education and Engagement: Globally, we empower consumers with a range of snacking choices, promote portion control mindful snacking habits, and. We will continue to educate and engage consumers on sustainable choices and responsible consumption.
