Sustainability report

Plant-based foods – a virtual experience Co-developing with customers to do good for peo- ple and planet is about being a leading and know­ ledgeable partner on sustainability with aptness to meet customers’ needs and create the right setting for development to test our solutions. In 2020, restrictions on face-to-face meetings and canceled trade shows due to Covid-19 have greatly impacted the way AAK creates demand for sustainable solutions. However, the pandemic has also given rise to new ways of interacting and engaging with our customers, such as through new digital channels. USA’s largest trade show is the Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting & Food Expo (IFT), a key event where we have often showcased our expertise for plant-based foods, as well as for Bakery, Confec- tionery and Special Nutrition applications. This 2020 event was moved online and billed as the first virtual food trade show of its kind in the United States, as IFT20 became SHIFT20. Educational resources, seminars, and classes are a main draw for visitors. During the show, attendees could access educational content on topics ranging from food technology, processing, and development through to health and nutrition. AAK USA sponsored the health and nutrition topic, sharing expertise on plant-based food formulation and a presentation on oils used in keto diet. Beyond this educational content, SHIFT20 included expo pages for over 300 ingredient suppliers. AAK USA showcased three prototypes, demonstrating how plant-based food can still be indulgent. Following the event, we further engaged with our customers by having virtual cuttings of our plant-based bacon and sending prototype samples to customers ahead of each virtual session. This way, people could test the prototype themselves and, by providing live and pre-recorded walkthroughs of the prototype’s develop- ment, we were able to give a highly memorable virtual and physical experience. “Our mission is to inspire people and businesses to make better choices. This year, we have worked diligently to move beyond the static slides of a presentation to create a more engaging interaction between customers and our team. The increased focus on digital solutions and enriching the expe- rience to make the session more impactful feels both valuable and sustainable.” Ryan Branch, Sr. Marketing Manager, AAK USA & Canada AAK Sustainability Report 2020 54 Contributes to: