RTRS Membership 2023 We invite you to learn more about the new organizations that joined the global, multi-sector roundtable in 2023.
Industry, Trade and Finance
Adient PLC is a manufacturer of automotive seating and interiors. They use soy-based products in some of their foam cushion products. World Wildlife Fund and Global Canopy As part of their commitment to understanding how they
can reduce the impact on deforestation, they are working with the World Wildlife Fund and Global Canopy as a trusted team of on-the-ground resources while also collaborating with other stakeholders to find potential solutions and alternatives.
“Adient PLC is actively working to create more transparency in their supply chain with respect to forest commodities and we believe that joining the RTRS will facilitate this process by providing education, tools and introductions to other stakeholders,” said Mark Proulx, EHS Systems and Sustainability Manager.
BTG Pactual Commodities is one of the leading players in the agricultural commodities market in Brazil. It operates in corn, soy, soybean meal and oil, sugar, and fertilizers. Since 2013, it has been connecting local production with global demand, leveraging the deep market knowledge of a team present throughout the national territory, with
daily interactions with farmers, cooperatives, brokers, and research teams. BTG Pactual's extensive network and financial support allow them to offer financing, price fixing, and currency exchange services to farmers, ensuring competitive prices in the physical market and promoting the domestic market.
"Our membership in the RTRS community reinforces BTG Pactual's commitment to sustainability and the responsible soybean supply chain," says Marco Vianna, Partner in charge of BTG Pactual.
Cereal Docks is an industrial group based in Northern Italy and active in the primary agro-industrial processing since 1983, producing ingredients including meals, oils and lecithin derived from oilseeds (soy, sunflower and rapeseed) and grains (corn,
wheat, barley) for applications in foods, animal nutrition, pharma, cosmetics and technical sectors.
Giorgio Dalla Bona, CEO at Cereal Docks International Spa. explains that the company’s decision to join RTRS stems from its interest in taking a further step towards a more sustainable future. “We have been involved in this sector for many years, and we have seen how agricultural commodity markets are moving towards more sustainable productions around the world. At Cereal Docks, we believe in and are committed to transparency across the whole supply chain.”
Sierentz & Cie is a Swiss-based business group operating in the agri-food sector. It was founded in 2010 by members of the Louis-Dreyfus family and senior alumni of the Louis-Dreyfus group. The group is active globally in two complementary businesses: i) Merchandizing of agricultural marketing and proprietary trading and ii) Agricultural land ownership and farming operations with offices in 11 countries and employing more than 1300 people worldwide.
Sierentz & Cie is focused on connecting supply and demand of agricultural products responsibly and to elevate environmental and social standards across our logistics chain. In particular, Sierentz launched a soybeans merchandizing desk based in Brazil in 2021 and they expect soybeans to become a key product for Sierentz's merchandizing activities in the coming years.
As for the motivation that led the company to join RTRS, Jean-Christian Fages, Global Head of Execution, says: “As we strive to operate at the highest standards of sustainability, it is important to be part of RTRS so we can cooperate with our peers and partners across the soybeans value, making sure we implement industry best practices in our growing business."
Established in 2021, The Compleat Food Group (TCFG) produces own-brand and leading brands' products such as Pork Farms, Wall's Pastry, Squeaky Bean®, Unearthed®, and Vadasz. The result of the merger of Addo Food Group,
Winterbotham Darby, and Wrights Food Group, it supplies the majority of UK food retail and numerous gastronomy sector businesses.
"Soy is a key commodity in our supply chain. While we don't directly purchase soy, it is incorporated into the raw materials we buy, especially in animal proteins like pork and chicken," explains David Moore, ESG Director at The Compleat Food Group. "Given the importance of soy in our supply chain, we want to be part of the solution to deforestation, and that's why we've joined RTRS. Through collaboration across the food industry, we aim to enhance the sustainability of soy incorporated into our raw materials," Moore adds.
Civil Society Organisations
I4NATURE's mission is to mobilize the world, starting by adopting the perspective of young people and spreading the message to thought leaders to advance towards future-proof
solutions. I4NATURE is a small NGO in the Netherlands that is transitioning into a cooperative, working on projects for relevant businesses and government grants.
"I4NATURE joins RTRS with the purpose of empowering young people and putting them in charge of a sustainable future in the soy value chain," said Xander Beks, CEO of I4NATURE. "Our motivation to join RTRS arose after participating in the RTRS Meeting Point 2022 in Germany, where we recognized the value we could bring through the knowledge of the new generations," Beks added.
Producers
SuriYaco SRL is a pioneering agricultural company in the Gran Chaco Region, specifically in the provinces of Santiago del Estero and Chaco, Argentina, for over 22 years. They produce soybeans, corn, wheat, chickpeas, and sunflower. The organization is deeply committed to
environmental and social responsibility. They work closely with various organizations to promote and increase biodiversity, as well as actively engage in the development of individuals and communities where they operate.
"Our motivation to join RTRS as members stems from our commitment to promoting the productive, environmental, and social characteristics of the Gran Chaco Region of Argentina. We are focused on the opportunities and challenges this area presents for sustainable product supply and regional development," says Juan Carlos Cotella, Managing Partner of SuriYaco SRL.
Fazenda Nossa Senhora Aparecida is an RTRS certified producer spanning fewer than 10,000 hectares, both RTRS certified and non-certified. They are participating in a project to promote sustainable
production and technological development in collaboration with Bayer, titled Bayer Forward Farming, with the aim of advancing modern agriculture.
Their motivation for joining RTRS is to make a difference as rural producers and have a say in decision-making, taking into consideration the perspectives of individual farmers in Brazil's Cerrado. "Our membership in RTRS," adds Henrique Fiorese, Managing Partner of Fazenda Nossa Senhora Aparecida, "is also part of our commitment to ensuring a better future, with a guarantee of quality food on everyone's table."
Observer members
Baltic Control Certification A part of Apave Group is an accredited certification company based in Denmark specialized in animal welfare, sustainability, food and feed certifications
across the World. The company was founded in 1980 and has branches and partners in 52 countries.
“The motivation for Baltic Control Certification to join the RTRS has been to strengthen our position in all areas of environmental sustainable solutions including Responsible Soy”. says Karina Nielsen, CEO of Baltic Control Certification. In this regard, Nielsen adds: “Our goal is to ensure that the audits performed by Baltic Control® Certification contribute to increase awareness and inspiration because we believe that it is our duty not only to evaluate against the audited standards, but also to contribute to environmental improvements and sustainability in general.”
GapGreen promotes and develops projects based on nature, together with the agri-food chain, focusing on the farmer and on sustainable demand. We help companies in the sector meet their sustainable sourcing objectives through the implementation of strategic programs in their supply chain, always
with a focus on farmers. Our field of expertise is project development and execution. We work in collaboration with companies and organizations in the agri-food sector at a global level, with a strong presence in Latin America and Europe.
“We believe that the synergy with RTRS and its members will allow us to help farmers and companies improve the implementation of practices and programs based on the expansion and adoption of certification globally,” says Tomas Mata, Managing Partner of Gap Green. “GapGreen believes that nature-based solutions are the key to the future growth and development of companies and their supply chains. RTRS is a global reference organization providing clear environmental, economic and social benefits for farmers and stakeholders in the soy and corn industry,” adds Mata.
Universidade de Gante is a Belgian internationally renowned, open, pluralistic, and socially engaged university. It is more than 200 years old, offers more than 200 programs (including 64 English-taught master's programs), and conducts in-depth
research within a wide range of scientific domains The Department Food Technology, Safety, and Health is one of the eight departments of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, one of the life science faculties.
“Considering soy is the world’s most important protein source of food and feed, the Department of Food Technology, Safety, and Health, wanted to become an RTRS member to keep updated on the Association´s evolution, on how criteria are met, on new legislation and how RTRS deals with it,” states Prof. Mia Eeckhout, professor of the Department Food Technology, Safety and Health.
The Brazilian company, Produzindo Certo S.A. intends to transform agribusiness chains, providing transparency and
bringing businesses closer to rural producers committed to the most rigorous socio-environmental standards.
“We support RTRS mission and we joined as members to endorse sustainable soybean production by disseminating the knowledge associated with the holistic RTRS standard,” states Charton Locks, Director of Operations at Produzindo Certo.
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