Sustainability report 2019

4 AAK in the world A global perspective AAK provides tailored vegetable oil solutions to the global food, confectionery and cosmetics industries. Leading businesses worldwide rely on our expertise, experience and innovation to deliver lasting value in markets shaped by shifting consumer trends. After more than a century in the business, we deliver the highest quality made from natural and renewable raw materials. Our products are derived from a wide range of raw materials, such as coconuts, palm fruits and kernels, rapeseed, shea kernels, soy beans and VXQÀRZHU VHHGV ZKLFK DUH UHVSRQVLEO\ VRXUFHG IURP all over the world. AAK connects to a broad range of customers in markets worldwide through our global QHWZRUN RI SURGXFWLRQ VLWHV VDOHV RI¿FHV DQG QHWZRUN of agents and distributors. It is important that we are close to our costumers to VXI¿FLHQWO\ DQG HIIHFWLYHO\ DGGUHVV WKHLU QHHGV 7KLV ZD\ we are a global company with strong local presence. We utilize and add value to the natural properties of vegetable oils and fats and then work closely with customers across the value chain to create solutions tailored to their product development goals. An essential ingredient Vegetable oils and fats are present in many of the products we use and consume on a daily basis. Contrary to popular belief, oils and fats are essential for us to maintain a healthy body. We need fat for energy, to absorb vitamins, produce hormones and to provide us with important fatty acids that our bodies are unable to synthesize. Over many decades, AAK has developed an unparal- leled depth of experience and know-how regarding the SURSHUWLHV EHQH¿WV DQG DWWULEXWHV RI IDWV 7KLV DOORZV us to create highly specialized solutions for customers that support their production process and enhance the quality and value of their end products. The interest in plant-based foods and thereby also plant-based fats is LQFUHDVLQJ QRW RQO\ GXH WR WKH KHDOWK EHQH¿WV EXW DOVR due to other sustainable value-adding factors in the value chain of these essential ingredients. Co-development creates value One of AAK’s greatest strengths is our unique co- development approach. This was born from our strong relationships with customers, where we bring the most value by working in close collaboration to deliver the most effective outcome at every stage. 7KLV PHWKRGRORJ\ HQDEOHV XV WR ZRUN DV DQ HI¿FLHQW team from idea to launch, drawing upon the right expertise at the right time to create solutions with better ideation, faster development times and more effective implementation. 4