Sustainable Food Manufacturing

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Sustainability in food manufacturing focuses on producing food with minimal environmental harm while being socially responsible and economically viable.

It aims to reduce pollution, conserve resources, and enhance biosphere health through efficient practices, waste reduction, and renewable energy. Social responsibility includes fair wages, good working conditions, and support for local producers.

 

Food Manufacturing in Malaysia

The food industry in Malaysia plays a crucial role in the economy, particularly through food and beverage manufacturing companies. This sector has seen significant changes, highlighting its importance, challenges, potential achievements, and a growing focus on sustainability.

  1. Rich Cultural Heritage: Malaysia's cuisine is a unique blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous influences, offering a diverse and flavourful culinary experience.
  2. Abundance of Natural Resources: Malaysia's hot, tropical climate supports the production of diverse natural foods, making it a major supplier of palm oil, rubber, fruits, vegetables, and meat products. This variety highlights the uniqueness of Malaysian produce.
  3. Food Production and Processing: Malaysia is set to lead in Asian food production and processing, with government support aimed at boosting imports and exports. This initiative presents significant business opportunities for Malaysian investors and promises long-term, beneficial partnerships.
  4. Processed Food Exports: In 2019, Malaysia's processed food exports hit RM21 billion, with dairy products at RM1 billion and poultry at RM3.76 billion, reaching over 200 countries. This accounted for about 10% of the manufacturing value, driven by advanced food processing technology and increased investment in the food industry.

 

Pathways to Sustainability in Malaysia's Food Industry

  1. Environmental Concerns: Malaysia faces ecological challenges like land use, water access, and biosphere conditions. Sustainable practices are essential to reduce human impact, involving responsible use of land and water and protection of sensitive areas.
  2. Technological Innovation: The Malaysia food industry should adopt innovative strategies and invest in R&D to enhance performance, gain a competitive edge, reduce waste, and improve product quality, leading to sustainable outcomes like precision agriculture and eco-friendly packaging.

 

The Importance of Sustainability in the Food Industry

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  1. Environmental Protection: Sustainability prevents environmental depletion by maintaining ecosystems, reducing pollution, and preserving species balance. In Malaysia, the food industry has significant potential to minimise its ecological footprint.
  2. Economic Benefits: Implementing sustainability is not only ethical but also a smart business move. It enhances efficiency, financial sustainability, and keeps your business competitive and cost-effective.
  3. Social Equity: Fair compensation, good working conditions, and positive community relations are essential for sustainable food production, benefiting everyone from farmers to consumers.
  4. Food Security: Focusing on sustainable agriculture is essential for Malaysia to ensure reliable food production and address future food security concerns.
  5. Global Food Trends: The Malaysian food industry is adapting to the global trend of sustainable food choices, meeting rising consumer demand for ethically sourced options and ensuring customer satisfaction with sustainable food products.

 

Ajinomoto Malaysia’s Initiatives in Sustainable Food Manufacturing

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Ajinomoto Malaysia is a key player in the food industry, leading the way in sustainable practices. We are committed to blending business success with ecological responsibility.

 

Reducing Environmental Impact

  • Ajinomoto Malaysia has significantly reduced plastic usage by switching from plastic pallets to paper slip-sheets, cutting plastic pallets to 2.6 tonnes. We also conducted studies on using thinner packaging materials and recycled 0.44 tonnes of jumbo bags.
  • Ajinomoto Malaysia prioritises waste management by adopting the 4Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover) to minimise waste effectively. We operate a waste segregation center with dedicated lanes for plastic, paper, recycled, and treated plastic waste. General waste is managed by third-party contractors. Recycling ratios are set as KPIs, based on detailed monthly reports.
  • Ajinomoto Malaysia aims to cut food waste by 75% by 2031 by converting it into animal feed and fertiliser. In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, our Kuchai Lama and Bandar Enstek facilities recorded 81.64 and 189.3 tonnes of food waste, respectively.

 

Promoting Sustainable Resource Use

  • Ajinomoto Malaysia prioritises water efficiency by reducing usage, responsibly treating wastewater, supporting community water projects, contributing to sustainable water management, and addressing global scarcity issues.
  • Ajinomoto Malaysia aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 10% by 2023, using 2019 as the baseline. We plan to achieve this through energy-efficient processes, optimised transportation, and renewable energy investments, contributing to a greener future.
  • Ajinomoto Malaysia collaborates with Malaysian Recycling Alliance (MAREA) to promote sustainable and ethical agricultural practices, highlighting our commitment to environmental stewardship.

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