Responsibility Report 2022

Highlights of 2022

THE WORLD’S FIRST to transition all production to ECC BRCGS CERTIFIED

with an A-rating

FROM DIESEL TO BIOGAS

with new biogas vehicles and filling station

CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HATCHERY

with foundations laid in May

26% REDUCTION IN FOOD WASTAGE

at slaughterhouse and processing plant since 2020

FROM 25% to 60% GREEN FARMHOUSES

increase in farmhouses with renewable energy from 2020

ONLY 10% SOY IN FEED

a nearly 50% reduction since 2020

THE BEST ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS

with an A-rating in our ethical accounts at our slaughterhouse and parent stock hatchery

INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED

Special Recognition Award for our environmental and animal welfare efforts

Our CEO on 2022

Cooperation, courage, willingness to change, and a strong sense of responsibility have changed the way we produce our chicken in Norway.

In August 2022, Norsk Kylling became the first company in the world to transition the operation of its entire value chain to the internationally recognised animal welfare standard ECC. The certification that makes us a world leader in animal welfare is the result of close cooperation between farmers, animal welfare organisations, and expert communities around us, and it would not have been possible without the skills and effort of everyone working at Norsk Kylling.

In a year characterised by heightened energy costs, interest, and unforeseen challenges, we can clearly see the importance of standing together. Not just in meeting rooms, but also in the financial cooperation model we have with the farmers. When Norsk Kylling takes its share of the increased expenses, we help give the farmer financial security and predictability. This motivates and creates positive engagement across the entire value chain, which in turn boosts quality, animal welfare, wellbeing, and the climate impact of the business.

The model provides a willingness to invest among the farmers that leads to new and upgraded environmentally friendly coops. This is clearly reflected in Norsk Kylling’s climate figures. Since 2020, we have increased the total farmhouse area at Norsk Kylling by 30 percent, while the total emissions from farmhouses in the same period have been reduced by 35 percent. At present, 60 percent of our farmhouse area is run on green solutions like biofuel burners, heat exchangers, and solar cells. We believe this is a development of climate friendly and financially sustainable Norwegian food production in practice.

I am proud that we in 2022 are continuing to reach key milestones in our ambitious environmental investments. We have established our own biogas station at Støren in cooperation with Gildset Transport. We have three biogas vehicles that transport eggs and chickens to and from our hatcheries using 100 percent renewable energy generated from waste from our own value chain.

In May of 2022, we laid the foundation, and in November, we celebrated that the structure was airtight for our new environmentally friendly hatchery, which will be put into operation in summer of 2023. The hatchery will be a technological leader for the best animal welfare possible and will also be a zero-emission building that is run exclusively on renewable energy such as solar cells and technology for energy recovery and storage.

We are also proud of our new slaughterhouse and processing plant at Orkanger. In its first full year of operation, the plant achieved excellent results, receiving an A rating in both the BRCGS certification scheme and in our ethical accounts, thus showing that the technical solutions are delivering as planned and that our employees take food safety and animal welfare very seriously. Furthermore, we see that an energy concept based on circular and 100 percent renewable energy helps considerably reduce Norsk Kylling's carbon footprint.

Our new sustainable innovation section has strongly reinforced our environmental investments, and they are leading the way to the environmental solutions of the future for responsible food production in Norway.

Over the course of the year, more than 2000 people visited us at Orkanger. Here, they were shown our operations both by physically looking into the facility through our display corridor, but also by getting to take part in experiences and projects throughout Norsk Kylling’s entire value chain. Some of the farmers we cooperate with also have display corridors with windows pointing into their farmhouse, hosting approx. 300 visitors in 2022. Here, we offer a warm welcome to everyone from school children, politicians, the private sector, and expert organisations to see how our farmers conduct responsible food production.

We have created a unique value chain for chicken production in Central Norway. I am beside myself with pride over the achievements we have made, and I look forward to reaching new milestones in the years to come, always with our eyes on our vision to become the world’s best food goods value chain.

Kjell Stokbakken CEO of Norsk Kylling

The star highlights our ambition to lead, to take responsibility, and to be a role model.

The tracks show the company's core, animals and animal welfare, and our desire to innovate and forge new paths.

The circular shape represents the company's emphasis on solutions in the circular economy and our fully integrated value chain, while also symbolising trust and unity.

Our logo shows who we are and where we’re going

The certification that makes us a world leader in animal welfare is the result of close cooperation between farmers, animal welfare organisations, and expert communities around us, and it would not have been possible without the skills and effort of everyone working at Norsk Kylling.

The farmer on 2022

As farmers and producers, when we cooperate with Norsk Kylling, we focus on keeping what we do as economical, sustainable, and not least, as predictable as possible. This, combine with the right focus on animal welfare, is the pillar that supports Norsk Kylling’s value chain model.

With both parties’ willingness to succeed, and a financial model that gives us both predictability and flexibility, we have been given the peace of mind to do what we need to do, ensure that our chickens are doing well, and contribute to safe, secure food production in Norway.

A crucial milestone in 2022 was the recognition of the European Chicken Commitment (ECC). We have world-class animal welfare, which of course means that we are also very proud to be ECC certified farmers!

In cooperation with Norsk Kylling, we have created a financial model that gives us the opportunity to commit to what we do. In the past few years, we have worked together to invest large sums and lots of time to create the best possible conditions for our animals. Our decision to choose the Hubbard chicken breed has also led to a better daily life for all of us.

In a time when the global situation is uneasy and purchasing prices have risen sharply, it has been good to find solutions that ensure continued, safe, and secure operations in our buildings. External disease threats have contributed to making 2022 a challenging year for us farmers, with a major emphasis on infection control in coops. These are challenges that must be managed every single day in close cooperation with Norsk Kylling, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, and the Norwegian Veterinary Institute in order to maintain food safety.

In the past few years, we have taken major steps towards sustainable energy solutions in farmhouses. At the end of 2022, we established a group in cooperation with Norsk Kylling to build energy-efficient farmhouses. We look forward to collaborating on finding good solutions that we can live with in the future. Many of us are already well under way.

We find security in our cooperation with Norsk Kylling, and together, we build mastery and pride in our work. We share knowledge and play off each other well. We don't always agree, but we can find solutions together and get going again in the right direction. That's how cooperation is meant to be!

We’re proud to be part of Norsk Kylling’s value chain, and I know that they in turn are proud to have us as their producers!

Frank Vidar Harstad

Farmer and head of the producer board for broilers at Norsk Kylling

The animal welfare standard ECC is a major milestone

This world news is the result of a unique cooperative model between farmers, animal welfare groups, and industry, and something we can be proud of in Trøndelag, in agriculture, and in Norway.

Ole Robert Reitan Chairman of Norsk Kylling and CEO of Reitan Retail

This is Norsk Kylling

We operate a fully integrated value chain for chicken production in Trøndelag

Norsk Kylling is wholly owned by REMA 1000

Our products are also sold under the brands Solvinge and Stange at Rema 1000

You can also find our products here:

Key figures for Norsk Kylling AS

350 Number of farmers that supply us

Number of employees

133

30% market share of chicken in grocery stores in Norway

Over 2000

1.53 billion in revenue*

81 million dinners Solvinge is sold at 668

REMA shops across the entire country

Over

300 visitors to display farmhouses

visitors to our slaughterhouse and processing plant Employees from 11 different countries

*Including our subsidiary Hugaas Rugeri.

Our value chain

Broiler hatchery

The eggs are transported to their own hatchery, where they are incubated and hatched.

Parent stock hatchery

Each month, the parent stock hatchery produces about 7500 hens and roosters, yielding approximately 1.2 million chickens.

Rearing

The parent stock grow up in farmhouses that are specially adapted for hens and roosters.

Layer farms

Before our stock are mature, they are moved to farmhouses that are suited for laying eggs. Here, they have nesting boxes, equipment, and toys that allow them to perform natural bird behaviours.

Broiler hatchery

The chickens grow up in farmhouses where they have environmental enrichment that stimulates natural behaviours, such as dust-bathing, perching, climbing to heights, and pecking.

Processing plant

At the processing plant, the chickens are humanely sedated before being put down and processed.

Shop

Most of our products are sold under the brand Solvinge, which is only sold at REMA 1000.

Parent stock hatchery Rearing Broiler hatchery Broiler farms Processing plant Layer farms Shop

Our entire value chain is in Central Norway

We cooperate with 133 farms from Alvdal in the south to Namdalseid in the north. 16 farmers feed and take care of the parent stock in farming and hatching egg production. 117 farmers look after our broilers.

The hatchery for broilers is in Soknedal. We are building a new hatchery at Støren, which will be completed in 2023.

The processing plant and processing facility is in Orkanger, in Orkland Municipality.

Parent stock hatchery Rearing Broiler hatchery Broiler farms Processing plant Layer farms Shop

The hatchery for parent stock is in Berkåk.

Responsibility foundation

Animal welfare Environment

Social responsibility Value management

For us, animal welfare always comes first. In order to achieve our vision of world-leading animal welfare, we changed our breed in 2018 to a hybrid that grows more slowly, and with a naturally strong constitution.

In 2022, we took animal welfare another step further, becoming the first company in the world to shift our entire production to ECC. This is an international animal welfare standard developed, and supported, by animal welfare organisations across the world. With the ECC certified production standard, chickens are given more space, daylight, and environmental enrichment in their farmhouses.

We’re building a green value chain that sets a new environmental standard for the food industry of the future.

We will cut soy from the feed, reduce food wastage, use 100% recyclable packaging, use renewable fuel, and protect biodiversity.

We work with specific initiatives that are directly linked to the reduction of our carbon footprint.

We are building a good working environment, competency, well-being, and safety for our 350 employees in 11 different countries. We have pay and gender equality, as well as four active labour unions.

We set a new standard for responsible, efficient, and innovative production through a green value chain, ensuring that our customers receive products of the highest quality at the lowest prices in the market.

Our farmers are our most important partners. Our responsibility is to ensure that the standards and financial framework conditions for the farmer provide predictability and security.

This results in good cooperation, trust, and pride in the value chain.

We think bigger than ourselves, and cooperate on a broad level to develop circular economy solutions.

We believe that responsible and ambitious development efforts are a prerequisite for sustainable growth. Transparency and openness are essential for success.

We are helping to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals

By 2050, the world’s population will need 70% more food. For this reason, we will cut all soy in the feed to our chickens and find new, sustainable ingredients. We seek circular production methods with low area intensity and minor carbon footprint.

We conduct annual climate accounting. We have set specific, quantifiable targets to reduce our carbon footprint, and all sustainability measures we initiate shall have a documented effect on our climate accounts.

We have a number of initiatives to ensure as circular economy. We will do this through measures such as reducing food waste, finding environmentally friendly packaging solutions, and making use of production by-products.

We strive protect the biodiversity associated with our value chain. One measure is to protect pollinating insects in agricultural areas characterised by monoculture.

Our processing plant has leading technological solutions for increased resource utilisation, produced in an efficient manner.

We are continuously working to develop a value chain that only uses clean, renewable energy sources, primarily through self-produced, or excess energy.

As a fully integrated value chain for white meat, we have a unique opportunity to develop sustainable food production. Through innovation and circular solutions, we are helping to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Hilde Talseth, Director of Sustainable Innovation

Awards and recognition

The SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD is awarded by Compassion in World Farming, a world-leading animal welfare organisation. We received the award as a result of responsibility efforts in animal welfare and the environment.

The fact that we are receiving international and national attention confirms that we are on the right path. I’m proud that the world’s best team is getting the recognition it deserves.

Kjell Stokbakken, CEO

2020

Winner of the Good Chicken Award Finalist for Næringslivets Klimapris

Top score in BBFAW

2021 Winner of the Renewable Award for October

Top score in BBFAW

2022

Winner of the Special Recognition Award

Responsibility is an obligation for everyone at Norsk Kylling

For this reason, we have adopted declarations that describe the standards we hold for animal welfare, the environment, the working environment, and quality.

Kjell Stokbakken CEO Hilde Talseth Director of Sustainable Innovation

Merete Forseth Chief Veterinarian Animal Welfare

Are Denstad Director of Finance and Business Development

Gunnar A. Aarvold Plant Director Gisle Ranum Sales and PU Director

Gøril Kvernmo Organisation Director Thomas Haltland Head of Logistics Tor Inge Lien Head of Upstream Production

Targets and reporting

Climate reporting

Our climate accounting covers the entire value chain

Emissions development compared to 2020 [kg CO2 / kg chicken]

2020 was the last operating year before our environmental initiatives were implemented.

Scope 1

Direct emissions from our activities

Scope 2

Energy we purchase

Scope 3

Indirect emissions from customers and suppliers

*The methodology for this calculation has changed from the Nordic mix to the Norwegian mix, a factor that represents the Norwegian electricity mix. Following a market-based calculation, the emissions in Scope 2 for 2022 are 11,269 tCO2e.

**As a result of changes to emissions factors for feed in October 2020, emissions from feed have been converted to follow the same methodology for estimating emissions factors across multiple years.

People

Working environment declaration

Our emphasis on the working environment and on well-being must be integrated into the company’s daily activities, and we must continuously develop our working environment.

We talk to each other and not about each other. Everyone has a duty to actively contribute to support everyone’s well-being at work, in terms of both attitude and behaviour.

Kjell Stokbakken CEO Hilde

Director of Sustainable Innovation

Chief Veterinarian Animal Welfare

We shall take joy in our work and have fun on the job.

Our work shall be organised in a manner that allows employees at every stage of live experience that they have a good balance between their work and their free time. The employees and the employer have a mutual duty to find good solutions.

No employee shall be exposed to harassment or degrading experiences.

Everyone shall experience that they are wanted, valued, and welcome at work, and receive recognition and respect for the job they do.

We shall accept and admire. We shall be good at praising and supporting each other, giving constructive feedback, and keeping a culture in which we all help bring each other up and cheer each other on.

“Norsk Kylling shall be a workplace that promotes health and development for everyone who works here. We shall have an organisation characterised by transparency, cooperation, and trust.”

Excerpt from the working environment declaration of Norsk Kylling

Talseth

Merete Forseth

Are Denstad Director of Finance and Business Development

Gunnar A. Aarvold Plant Director Gisle Ranum Sales and PU Director

Gøril Kvernmo Organisation Director Thomas Haltland Head of Logistics Tor Inge Lien Head of Upstream Production

Structural culture

At Norsk Kylling, we care about having a structure that allows the people in the organisation to contribute with their skills and knowledge.

From defined areas of responsibility, unified guidelines for meetings, clear goals, and efficient reporting to the way we make decisions, our structure is solid.

This allows us to create a culture based on this structure, setting things in place for the people at Norsk Kylling to achieve incredible results.

Kjell Stokbakken, CEO

Everyday heroes

Together, we build the world’s best value chain in food industry!

People are the most important resource at Norsk Kylling

Employees at Norsk Kylling

350 employees

We have employees from 11 countries

Gender diversity at Norsk Kylling

Health, safety, and the environment

Good working conditions create safe workplaces

Excerpt from the working environment declaration of Norsk Kylling

Health, safety, and the environment are involved in everything that happens in our organisation, and is the first item on the agenda in all fixed meetings

We have a culture in which everyone takes responsibility to report risk conditions, non-conformities, and suggestions for improving the workplace

We have a well-functioning safety organisation that is active, knowledgeable, and committed

We always comply with current laws and regulations

The working environment committee at Norsk Kylling

The working environment committee (AMU) is a cooperative committee between the employees and management. The committee is staffed by representatives from both the employer and the employees.

Additionally, the occupational health service always participates.

The purpose of the AMU is to work towards a fully satisfactory working environment. At Norsk Kylling, the AMU is important for our systematic health, safety, and environment efforts, and the committee actively participates with comments on planning and follow-up of the working environment.

Some of the working environment committees tasks include:

Processing and planning working environment efforts at the company

Handling questions regarding training in areas that are of importance to the working environment

Preparing and revising the working environment declaration

Processing and planning safety efforts at the company

This is the AMU

Reviewing the tasks of the occupational health service

Reviewing reports of accidents, near-misses, and illnesses that may be caused by the working environment

Sylwia, Adam, Lenka, Stein Terje, Lubos and Marit are six of the representatives who participate in the working environment committee at Norsk Kylling. They hold meetings at least four times per year, raising questions and discussing comments from employees and safety representatives.

Key strategy for systematic HSE efforts

Our Head of HSE

Marit Heggelund Jensen is responsible for strategic efforts in health, safety, and the environment at Norsk Kylling. Marit works closely with managers, safety representatives, the AMU, and the occupational health services to ensure a good working environment that complies with regulatory requirements. Marit is also responsible for ensuring that our HSE activities are systematic and continuous, and that all necessary and appropriate equipment is available.

Lenka is a 100% FTE senior safety representative

The senior safety representative shall safeguard all the employees’ interests in HSE activities at the company, and shall ensure that the business is equipped and maintained in accordance with the provisions of the Working Environment Act. At Norsk Kylling, we have 17 committed safety representatives who are in charge of each of their own areas. Lenka's task is to coordinate the activities of the safety representatives.

Some of the senior safety representative's areas of responsibility:

Ensuring a good working environment across the entire organisation

Training safety representatives Organising inspection rounds

Lenka Tokarova, senior safety

representative

We shall have a safe workplace for all employees. Through good dialogue and cooperation with safety representatives, managers, and employees, I work to uncover, register, and properly handle non-conformities.

Occupational Health Service

The occupational health service assist by supervising the working environment, and shall hold an advisory role in preventive health, safety, and environment efforts.

They possess valuable expertise and serve as a key sparring partner in our HSE activities.

Norsk Kylling is a customer we greatly appreciate in the HSE services. We are glad when we get to cooperate on the right, important HSE matters.

Elisabeth Lund, CEO of HSE services

Here, we find a will, commitment, and capacity to follow through with continuous development of the working environment.

We cooperate closely with the occupational health service

31 people from different departments make up our industrial safety team. They are trained to handle potential incidents. The industrial safety team is divided into different fields:

Technical officer

Fire safety

Smoke diver

Order and security

First aid

The industrial safety team is Norsk Kylling’s own emergency response personnel. In cooperation with local emergency services, we will save lives and reduce the scope of damage in the event that an incident arises.

The industrial safety team is a key component of our emergency response

Glenn Karlgård, industrial safety team leader at Norsk Kylling

Multipartite cooperation at Norsk Kylling

Employee representatives

We have four active trade unions

We encourage our employees to organise and facilitate a good partnership marked by:

TRANSPARENCY TRUST COMMITMENT

Employee representatives and spokespeople for the trade union's members at the workplace. They are there to assist members in upholding their general working conditions, and in independent cases as needed. These are two of the employee representatives at Norsk Kylling:

Roger Blomli, employee representative at the Forbundet for Ledelse og Teknikk (FLT)

Lenka Bistiakova, employee representative at the Norwegian Union of Food, Beverage, and Allied Workers (NNN)

We participate in the cooperative project “FREMtid for kompetanse”. This is a three-year project led by NHO FoodDrinkNorway, NNN, and the Norwegian Seafood Federation. Our goal is to strengthen multipartite cooperation, facilitate the sharing of skills between employees, ensure continued competitive power and capacity to transition, and to create attractive workplaces.

Setting up for success

It is the people who create results. Our responsibility is to set them up for success.

Eli-Marie Rolseth, HR director

Clear areas of responsibility and goals

We believe in lifelong learning at the workplace

The learning organisation

Structure for learning

Strategies and structures in the organisation shall help promote learning. This means that we must have the tools and the foundation we need to communicate, cooperate, and make wellconsidered decisions that are for the best of the employees and the organisation.

System for learning

There must be opportunities for self-development in every stage of employment. Employees must feel that they are heard, use their skills, and experience achievement. Our HRM system is a good tool that enables strong, efficient follow-up of each individual employee.

Culture for learning

We shall encourage and facilitate the development of skills in safe learning environments. There must be space to ask for help and make mistakes. Through words and actions, we will demonstrate that we are an organisation that has the capacity to change and that supports competent employees who are willing to learn.

Employee development

In 2022, I went from being a production employee to a section manager in the thigh section. Moving to a management role is very exciting, but it’s more challenging, too. I have been given much more responsibility and new tasks that I enjoy.

In 2022, I became the section manager of the newly established weighing line section. I view this as a major step forward for myself, and not to mention, a major responsibility. As a manager, I am responsible for delivering good results, but also for the well-being and development of the employees in our organisation.

Adam Berk, weighing line section Started at Norsk Kylling in 2010

Sylvia Lovasova, thigh section manager Started at Norsk Kylling in 2013

The employees of the future in food production

Each year, we have a stand at job and education fairs in Trøndelag.

We are an approved training company

As a training company, we can hire and train apprentices, apprenticeship candidates, and candidates for trade certificates on the job. Apprentices and certified employees are a fantastic resource for us!

Electrical/automation

Sausage-making field

Employees can also receive certification in industrial food production as practical experience candidates.

Øyvind is our sausage maker. He wants more colleagues in the sausage-making field!

We want the employees of the future to want to work in food production and at Norsk Kylling. For this reason, we invite kindergartens, schools, and educational institutions to learn about responsible food production.

Transparency contributes to understanding and competency among the employees of today and of tomorrow.

Martin received a certificate in automation in 2022

From an apprenticeship to a job in the technical department

Martin started his apprenticeship at Norsk Kylling in June 2020. At that time, he had studied at Strinda Upper Secondary School, with automation as his specialisation. He was introduced to Norsk Kylling when he was placed at a different company and the tasks he performed at our premises in connection with the construction of the processing plant. “I worked at Norsk Kylling for a week during the construction phase, and I thought this place is cool. Since we produce food here, it's quite different from a lot of other companies, and from what I learned at school. In that sense, it’s an excellent place to learn.”

During his apprenticeship, Martin worked a lot on troubleshooting, modification, and production assistance. It was just as much about helping others as it was about repairing machines and stretching cables. “I got to try things out early, so I became quite familiar with how things worked. I had to take responsibility for my own tasks and my own working day, which I liked.”

Martin took his trade exam in December, and he now works as an automation technician in the technical department. His workday still offers challenges and opportunities to learn. “I learn something new every day. New things I have to remember. I learn things that go beyond my field, but that are specific to production at Norsk Kylling.

Technical safety training is completely essential. If you don't get enough training, it can be easy to forget the steps you have to follow. That's why it's important to have a certificate that says ‘I know this’. The trade exam's most important point is safety, and safety always comes first.”

Martin Dretvik, certified automation technician

Anna received her certificate in industrial food production in 2022

There are employees getting certificates each year

Anna started working at Norsk Kylling in 2007. Over the years, she has developed skills and experience in various production departments at our organisation. Anna enjoys a varied workday in which she has the opportunity to try new tasks, learn, and develop. That was one of the reasons she applied to take a course and trade exam through the study association AOF.

“My colleagues encouraged me to get a trade certificate and helped set things up so I could do my best to prepare for the exam. Many of them had taken the same certificate before, so I got good help. Everyone helps each other advance, nobody says ‘no’. We grant each other success.”

Anna is interested in skill sharing, and in the development of both the employees and the organisation. She now helps colleagues who are taking the same certificate. “Trade certificates are very important for the level of quality we provide. It's crucial to share competency and experiences about the process of getting a certificate. That can help make the exam less stressful for those who come after me.

It’s very important to get expert training, in addition to practical experience. The certificate opens doors. I've gained skills in food production, regulations, machines, certifications, animal health, and more. It’s helped me understand safe and responsible food production.

Anna Grzegorek, certified in industrial food production

We have employees with expertise in

Economics, finance, accounting

Industrial food production, production techniques

Electrical systems and automation, technical fields

Food technology, quality, food safety

Veterinary science and animal health

HR, HSE

Organisational and skill development

Purchasing, contracts

Sustainability, Innovation Logistics

Communications and public outreach

Production planning and biological planning

Agronomics subjects, agricultural skills

Sales, service, marketing

Food processing and product development

Project management

Clerical and administrative tasks

Efficiency and optimisation processes

Industrial cleaning

IT and system expertise

We work together for a shared workplace language

At Norsk Kylling, our workplace languages are Norwegian and English

Customised programs in language education

Courses relevant to the employee’s work tasks

Language training related to actual situations faced by the employee in the course of their day

Cooperation with multiple players to provide good educational programs

A separate classroom for courses and other training

Language can open a lot of doors, but it can also close them if you are not understood. We wish to have a common workplace language, so that everyone can talk to their colleagues.

Kristine Lund, HR adviser

We work together for a shared workplace language

We cooperate using the game-based app Capeesh in order to provide employees with work-oriented language training

At Norsk Kylling, we have played a total of 18,630 minutes since launch in February 2021!

We believe in language learning during the workday.

Work and language are not two parallel tracks. They work together at the same time.

Our farmers are our most important partners

133 farmers with cooperative agreements with Norsk Kylling provide safe, responsibly produced Norwegian food

We're proud of the results we achieve together!

Conditions for good cooperation

Predictability

Our agreements, financial model*, and form of partnership with the farmer provides for predictability in operations and finances at every stage.

Security

We focus on giving the farmer pride and security in financial, operational, and animal welfare terms.

Cooperation

We value the farmer’s knowledge and passion. We work with a high degree of communication and participation in every decision.

The farmers are the foundation of the value chain

Ensuring safe, Norwegian food

Ensuring good animal welfare

Taking responsibility for the green transition

Standards

We've developed standards alongside the farmer that ensure equality of conditions and practice for all of the farmers associated with us.

Veronika Bjørk, farmer for Norsk Kylling

It's good to be a Norsk Kylling producer

There are many reasons that it's good to collaborate with Norsk Kylling. One is the financial model. It provides security and predictability. We have noticed this in particular in 2022. We have seen increased costs on most things, but Norsk Kylling has made financial adjustments for this.

Another thing is our learning culture and cooperation at every level. Both our producer meetings and our close dialogue with our veterinary contact help us learn and develop. The production team functions well, they take things seriously, and work on behalf of the farmers. At the same time, we greatly appreciate that the transparency is so open, and that people aren't afraid to share. Simply put, we have talented people in many positions.

Kari Aftret Brøndbo, farmer at Norsk Kylling

Farmers of the year, 2022

Each year, we honour three farmers who elevate the level of our work. They excel on solid routines, good production results, and peerless follow-up efforts.

Per Morten and Grethe Storstad from Sparbu

Layer producer of the year Broiler producer of the year

Trond and Eli Stenstad from Byneset

Rearing producer of the year

Henrik Rødde from Melhus

Represented here by daughter Grete Rødde

Open farmhouses

In 2022, we and the farmers received over at farms 300 guests

We're proud of the Norwegian agriculture and food production. That's why we are taking charge to raise knowledge and understanding, and not least, to present the achievements and work we do.

Two of the hosts, Olaug and Rune Vang

We put windows on our value chain

2000 guests

In 2022, we were visited by over to our processing plant

We received: Kindergarten Schools Students Training offices Politicians

The private sector Trade unions

Cooperating partners Researchers …and more!

The display centre has room for 250 visitors

Janicke and Johanne are three of our hosts at Orkanger

Joacim,

Display and competency centre at Orkanger

Customers, employees, cooperating partners, and the industry must trust that we will act with transparency and responsibility.

We wish to help boost knowledge and mutual development by sharing our own experiences and skills with other players.

Photos from our display centre

Solvinge company sports team

We have our own company sports team that arranges various activities and trips for our employees.

Our football team participates in the company league, and each year, we participate with multiple teams in the Trondheim Marathon's relay race.

Founded in 2018

We support positive measures

We seek to promote good experiences!

Some of what we supported in 2022:

We support organisations that share our values and do an important job for the local community.

Gisle Ranum, sales director

The Trondheim Food Festival

Central Norway is an incredible food region!

We wish to support and present the excellent ingredients and products that are made in Trøndelag. This is why we closely cooperate with Reitan AS, the main cooperating partner of the Trondheim Food Festival, and we work closely with Oi! Trøndersk Mat og Drikke. Each year, we also attend with our own stand at the food festival alongside other local producers.

200,000 visitors to the Food Festival in 2022!

Look for our stand

3 - 5 august 2023!

The Trondheim Food Festival is organised by Oi! Trøndersk Mat og Drikke. They are working to elevate the Central Norwegian food world by promoting the taste, and value, of food and drink in Trøndelag. Today, the festival is the country's largest local food festival.

Eva and Ingrid work in the sales and marketing department. They served many hungry visitors from this stand on the day.

We share a stand with REMA 1000 and Grønne Folk from Frosta.

Line Aarnes, director of category management and purchasing at REMA 1000, handed out free samples.

The Transparency Act

Our working approach

The Transparency Act took effect in July 2022.

“The Transparency Act shall promote companies’ respect for fundamental human rights and decent working conditions in connection with the production of goods and delivery of services, ensuring public access to information on how companies handle negative consequences for fundamental human rights and decent working conditions”.

Section

Our suppliers are more than external parties to us. They’re our cooperating partners. That means that the requirements we place on our suppliers are as stringent as those place on ourselves.

We have mapped our entire supply chain to identify risk areas and implement relevant measures.

For all agreements, we have ethical guidelines, or what we call the Supplier Code of Conduct, that our suppliers must sign and follow.

The ethical guidelines ensure decent working conditions, and that everyone who is connected to the value chain operates with respect for human rights across national borders.

We have worked with many of our suppliers for many years. Once example of this is Gildset, who have provided us with transport services since 1992. Duty

1 The Transparency Act

Animal welfare

Animal welfare declaration

Norsk Kylling has built and will both maintain and develop an expert community with its own department for animal welfare. We will ensure continuous improvements of competency at every level of our value chain.

Norsk Kylling will be a preferred supplier due to our leading position in animal welfare, and we will place the same requirements on our suppliers as we do on ourselves.

We listen to, and invite, animal welfare organisations into our development plans, bring them into our value chain, and seek to achieve an open, trust-based dialogue on animal welfare.

Through our agreements with relevant feed suppliers, we will ensure the development of specially adapted feed for our chicken breed, thus ensuring good animal welfare.

All cases of illness or non-conformities discovered by the farmer must immediately be examined by a veterinarian at Norsk Kylling, and all farmers must feel secure in knowing that they will be given help if they needed.

We will not use antibiotics in feed or as a preventive treatment. To treat sick animals, we must only use antibiotics with the principle of using “as little as possible, but as much as needed.”

We will revise these guidelines regularly so that they correspond with developments in research, ethics, scientific facts, regulations, procedures, and future requirements from our customers and our owner.

CEO

Director of

“For us, animal welfare is not just about good health and good physical conditions, but also mental well-being and the animals’ opportunities to pursue their natural, species-specific behaviour. The animals must be given the opportunity to have positive experiences and a sense of mastering their surroundings.”

Excerpt from the animal welfare declaration at Norsk Kylling

Welfare

ECC standard for all our chickens from August 2022

ECC

The European Chickenv Commitment (ECC) is an international animal welfare standard developed by 26, and supported by 37 animal welfare organisations across Europe.

Our value chain also qualifies for the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC), which is used in other parts of the world, and that has the same requirements as the ECC.

We are the first in the world to shift our entire production to ECC

The farmer on ECC

ECC is excellent because we notice that it improves wellbeing, both for the chicken and for us farmers.

Marianne and Kai Moxness, farmers at Norsk Kylling

Requirements in the animal welfare standard ECC

Chicken type

Since 2018, we have used the slower-growing chicken breed Hubbard.

Environmental enrichment

We have several types of environmental enrichment in all chicken farmhouses.

Third-party supervision

We are audited annually by an external third party to secure production in accordance with ECC requirements.

Daylight

All chicken farmhouses feature daylight-spectrum light.

Farmhouses built in more recent years are also required to include windows.

More space

With the ECC requirement, chickens have 32% more space than in standard chicken production in Norway

Our slower-growing chicken breed Hubbard vs. standard chickens in Norway

15% lower daily growth

41% longer life

40% lower daily mortality*

58% better health*

has a healthier appetite (because it grows more slowly) grows more slowly

has a strong heart

has bigger wings

76% lower transport mortality**

has a smaller breast

has bigger thighs

Chicken breed

has a good sense of balance (due to proportional body)

has strong legs

We see that chickens who grow more slowly, do better. For this reason, the chicken breed is as important as its surroundings. In 2018, we switched to Hubbard, which grows more slowly and lives longer. This chicken breed has documented improved animal welfare compared to the standard chicken that is common in Norway.

*Production results 2021 from Kjøttets Tilstand 2022, comparison of total mortality and discarded stock due to sickness.

Environmental enrichment lets chickens be chickens

Environmental enrichment refers to items designed to allow the chickens to be active and exhibit natural behaviour. In cooperation with the Norwegian Animal Protection Alliance and Animalia, we have developed a standardised enrichment package. It consists of a combination of objects that facilitate these activities.

PLATFORMS

Large platforms give the birds the opportunity to get high up and look down over the flock, or seek shelter underneath them.

HAY BALES

Popular climbing fixtures that can also be pecked on, used for shelter, or nibbled at.

DUST BATH

A kind of tub filled with peat or bedding that is used for dustbathing. This satisfies their need to clean their plumage.

PECKING STONES

Covers the poultry's natural need to peck, in addition to providing essential nutrients.

PERCHES

The birds can relax better when they can perch at the edge of the dust baths.

Environmental enrichment

Third-party supervision of ECC requirements

We have selected Animalia to perform annual inspections to confirm our compliance with all ECC requirements

Audits of each individual broiler producer

Animalia is responsible for audits in accordance with ECC requirements in Norway. Animalia is the country's leading professional and development community in meat and egg production. As a neutral industry player, they offer farmers and the poultry industry expertise through livestock inspections and health services, professional systems, R&D projects, e-learning and course activities, communication and other knowledge sharing.

Third-party supervision

Daylight in all coops

Daylight

All chickens in the value chain have daylight

Through a light project, we have developed an energy-efficient LED lighting technology that is especially suited for our chickens’ needs. The light strength increases by 150% compared the legal requirement

All chicken farmers to supply us have installed these specially developed lights in their farmhouses

Over the course of the past three years, we have built 16 farmhouses with windows. All new farmhouses are built with windows.

Chickens can see a wider spectrum of light than us humans. For this reason, good daylight is extra important for chickens to exhibit their natural activities.

Photo taken by farmer Snorre Hellesvik at display coop in Meldal

More space for our chickens

More space

Density [chickens/sqm]

Because we care about animal welfare and our chickens doing well, we've given our chickens extra space. Chickens need plenty of space to have the freedom to do their natural behaviour.

Legal requirements for standard chicken production in Norway

Norsk Kylling 2020 Norsk Kylling from 2022

ECC makes me proud to be a chicken farmer!

Sølvi had actually planned on shutting down her chicken production. When Norsk Kylling switched to Hubbard, however, she decided to keep going. s

“Hubbard is a chicken that has a totally different life. You can see it on the bird, and you can hear it in the sounds it makes and how it responds to what we do in the coop. It’s much more fun to be a chicken farmer when the chickens feel better.” The transition to Hubbard and ECC has affected the pride she takes in her work. “First of all, it makes me proud. When Norsk Kylling led the way and said we'd be the best in the world on animal welfare, I thought, ‘Yes, I want to do that too’. I’m proud to be a supplier of Norsk Kylling, and I’m not afraid to open the doors to my barn. I know my chickens are doing well, and that reflects how I feel as a farmer.”

Easier to operate with clear requirements and guidelines

ECC has made the workday easier. “The requirements and the guidelines give the work more structure. There's no doubt about what we're supposed to do, and we always get help when things change.”

With the support of Norsk Kylling, she installed lights in the daylight spectrum in her farmhouse. She chose to install windows herself. “The financial support made my installation much easier, but now that I see the benefits of these measures, then it's something I would've done anyway. It's so much better to be in the barns with the daylight and the new lighting. I got a much better working environment, and the chickens got better conditions, too.”

Made to be active

“Another positive benefit of the ECC standard is environmental enrichment.” With peat, platforms, and hay bales, the chickens get a much more active life. Environmental enrichment has created a completely new life in the farmhouse. If the chickens didn’t care about it, they wouldn't use them either. For Sølvi, the work starts with activating the chickens from their very first day. “It's important to get the chickens around the entire farmhouse, showing them where the water and feed are located. We walk around the farmhouse together and get to know each other.”

More space

More space in the farmhouse is another positive consequence of the shift to ECC. This gives the chicken even more options to move around. “More space means better animal welfare, but it also gives us better chicken and lower mortality. Norsk Kylling’s financial model is an invaluable prerequisite for succeeding with the world’s best animal welfare”.

Sølvi Øvergård, farmer for Norsk Kylling

The Norwegian Animal Protection Alliance on Norsk Kylling’s shift to ECC

Compared to the minimum requirements in Norwegian legislation, these chickens are way better off. They have much more

room, they have a lot of daylight, which means that they get more active, and they're of a breed that doesn't grow as fast as the usual chickens in Norwegian production. This means that their health is better, making them a healthier and more active little bird.

Live Kleveland to NRK on Norsk Kylling’s shift to ECC in the summer of 2022. Kleveland is the founder and communications director of the Norwegian Animal Protection Alliance.

Good animal welfare across the entire value chain

Employees with high professional expertise

Knowledge and expertise regarding the animals’ needs is completely essential for good animal welfare. We have strict competency requirements throughout the entire value chain.

Farmers with knowledge and experience

Norwegian chicken farmers have a very high level. Our goal is to give them the best possible framework.

The right type of chicken

A good chicken life depends on good genes. We must only keep chicken breeds that suit our health and welfare requirements.

Good environment

We have strict requirements for the farmhouses where we keep our chickens. This includes having the natural lighting, heating, ventilation, and access to feed and water.

Plenty of space

Chickens need space to play and follow their natural behaviours. With our chicken type and ECC requirements, our chickens have 32% more space than in standard chicken production in Norway.

Environmental

enrichment in coops

To cover our chickens natural needs, we have introduced specially customised packs with environmental enrichment so that the chickens can peck, climb, and dust bathe.

Gentle transport

Our chicken gets extra space, the right environment, and shorter transport times. This is important to avoid stress.

Animal welfare is fundamental to us as a food producer. We must provide the best animal welfare and always seek new ways to improve further.

Tor Inge Lien, Upstream Production Manager

Responsible production at hatcheries

Lighting

The chickens are kept in rooms with good lighting conditions. Specially customised daylight spectrum lights ensures that the lighting is suited to the chicken's needs.

Climate

Health and hygiene

Our hatcheries are climate-controlled, ensuring the right air quality.

We have strict requirements and good routines to prevent our chickens from falling ill.

All employees must complete an animal welfare course. This ensures that the chickens are handled gently. Competency

Development

Farmers receive key figures from the hatchery on the same day that results and information are made available. These are used for improvement measures and development.

Rearing

Broiler farms

Processing plant

Layer farms

Parent stock hatchery

Broiler hatchery

Responsible production in coops

Lighting and climate

A good indoor climate and proper lighting gives the chickens better health and an active life.

Water and feed

The right amount of water and good, high-quality compound feed gives chickens the energy and nutrients they need.

Dry, fine dust is needed to make it comfortable for the chickens. This also reduces the risk of illnesses spreading. Surface

Environmental enrichment

Environmental enrichment stimulates activity and natural behaviour among the chickens.

The farmer's handling

The farmer's presence in the coop is important to the chickens’ well-being. A calm, secure farmer who handles the chickens gently will give the chickens a stress-free life.

Processing plant

Broiler hatchery

Parent stock hatchery

Rearing

Broiler farms

Layer farms

Responsible animal transport in value chain

We have 67% shorter transport times compared to the legal requirement. The average transport time is 1.5 hours. Short time

Our chickens have 19 % more space during transport than is required by law. Low density in transport cages give our chickens more space to lie down. Plenty of space

Climate

Competency

In order to give the chickens the best possible travel, we make sure to keep a good temperature and air quality. Our vehicles are climate-controlled and feature back-up systems, so the chickens are ensured a stable climate throughout the transport leg.

Everyone who is involved in moving the chickens to the transport cages has completed a practical and theoretical course. There, they learn about gentle handling, and what is important in order to keep the chickens from experiencing stress.

Monitoring

Sensors with live monitoring allow the driver to keep a complete overview of the environment in the vehicle during transport.

These measures ensure that we have a total of 76% lower transport mortality compared to the national average.

Broiler farms

Broiler hatchery

Layer farms

Processing plant

Parent stock hatchery Rearing

Responsible production in slaughterhouse and processing plant

Lighting

At the slaughterhouse, the chickens are placed in a receiving room that is specially designed to minimise stress. They remain in the same transport cages from the time they travel from the coop to when they are sedated. Blue lights in slaughterhouse have a calming effect on the chickens.

Low

The partitioning of the rooms in the receiving area gives a low noise level. This creates as calm an environment as possible.

Everyone who works with live chickens at the slaughterhouse goes through specially customised training and must pass an exam. Competency

Humane sedation

Market-leading slaughtering technology gently sedates the chickens using CO2 gas through five phases before they are slaughtered under full sedation.

Broiler farms

Broiler hatchery

Layer farms

Rearing

Parent stock hatchery

Processing plant

Animal welfare department

Knowledge and expertise regarding the animals’ needs are essential for responsible food production. For this reason, we have a dedicated animal welfare department that works with animal welfare and animal health for hens, roosters, eggs, and chickens.

10 2 veterinarians producer contacts

1 agronomics expert

The department represented by Bodil, Miriam, Jo, Hanne, Camilla, Merete, Tove Elin, Harald, Sigrid, and Hilde

How we work with animal welfare

The animal welfare department is responsible for ensuring that our animal welfare declaration is implemented throughout the entire value chain. Alongside the farmers, we ensure compliance with our guidelines, the industry's, and with official requirements.

The animal welfare department is in touch with our farmers daily. All farmers are regularly visited by a veterinarian, reviewing their birds and the farmhouse.

In cooperation with our farmers, we have developed our own data system for data collection and analysis. The system is used to follow production and serves as a basis for development and improvement activities.

In cooperation with our farmers, we have established guidelines for the best farm practices, including requirements for temperatures, lighting, air quality, and air humidity.

Doctorate on animal welfare

Animal welfare is a broad term, covering good physical health, the opportunity to follow natural behaviours, as well as positive feelings and mastery. For many years, the main focus has been on health, and good health is indeed the foundation for a good life.

Merete Forseth

Animal welfare director at Norsk Kylling

Ph.D. candidate at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

Project title: Bwell – Assessment of Broiler Welfare in a Medium-Slow Growing Hybrid

However, we wish to expand our focus from simply measuring negative welfare indicators, such as illness, to including positive welfare indicates such as running and playing, throughout the chicken’s lifespan. This will allow us to achieve even better results in adapting farmhouses and routines based on needs and behaviours.

Doctorate on animal welfare

Animal welfare

Physical health Feelings

Natural behaviour

The development and use of software with camera surveillance allows us to identify positive welfare indicators among chickens with an even greater degree of certainty. The camera recognises the behaviour of each individual chicken, such as running, dust bathing, and playing.

In her doctorate, Merete is researching the animal welfare of a slower-growing chicken. The goal is to find transparent and reliable methods for monitoring and documenting animal welfare.

The first research article in the doctorate is about removal causes* among two chicken breeds. Through the use of data, Merete has compared removal figures for the slowergrowing chicken Hubbard, and the conventionally fast-growing chicken Ross. By describing the causes and occurrence of removals, and by estimating the impact of the chicken breed on the most common removal reasons, the article provides useful knowledge on the difference between the chicken breeds.

The research shows that Hubbard consistently shows much lower rates of the most common diseases seen in broilers, and that the chicken type has major consequences for animal health, animal welfare, finances and sustainability throughout the entire value chain.

Read more about Merete’s research in the Nature Scientific Report Comparison of Carcass Condemnation Causes in Two Broiler Hybrids Differing in Growth Rates

Research projects on animal welfare

TEiCON

Tools for Eimeria Control are led by the Norwegian Veterinary Institute. The project is intended to develop better diagnostic tools and retrieve data to strengthen sustainability in Norwegian broiler and turkey production. The main emphasis is on intestinal diseases, so that we can continue to produce poultry with minimal antibiotics use.

PARENT STOCK WELFARE

Innovation project led by the industry organisation Animalia. Focus on good welfare among mating animals in broiler chicken production through optimal physical environment and care. The project will give you knowledge on the animals’ preferences, with a goal to facilitate optimal welfare in barns.

APEC-Seq

This project, led by the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, is intended to use systematic data analysis to identify risk factors for diseases in broilers during their first week alive. The results will contribute to improving animal health and animal welfare, facilitating sustainable food production, reducing food wastage, and boosting trust in white meat.

FUNCTILIGHT

In 2022, we joined a number of research projects with an emphasis on health and welfare among poultry. We have a close cooperation with research communities, expert bodies, industry and animal welfare organisations to receive insights, develop, and share our experiences.

International research project led by Wageningen University & Research. The development of lighting software for use in farmhouses for broilers and farming to promote natural behaviour, health, and performance. The project will provide insights into the preferences and needs of poultry with regard to lighting.

Annual external audit of animal welfare

Our goal is to achieve the top mark, A, for our ethical accounts

AA B

Parent stock

Ethical accounting

Ethical accounts are a comprehensive survey of factors that may affect animal welfare at the hatchery, in the coop, during transport, and at the slaughterhouse. Control points for each area cover structural conditions, equipment, routines, our behaviour and the animals’ behaviours. In Norway, the industry organisation Animalia audits such ethical accounts.

Slaughterhouse

Ethical accounting 2022

hatchery

Ethical accounting 2022

Broiler hatchery*

Ethical accounting 2022

We can always be better. That's why an external assessment of animal welfare is important to us.

Tor Inge Lien, Head of Upstream Porduction

Animal welfare

We are concerned with making sure our chickens hatch in a calm and comfortable environment. All our solutions are therefore selected with care to ensure the best possible animal welfare.

Feed and water

In the new hatchery, the chickens will have access to food and water from the time they are hatched.

Technology

World-leading technology that makes an optimal climate for the chickens and reduces stress.

We're building a new hatchery for even better animal welfare

Animal welfare is our highest priority for the new hatchery

Environment

Environmental declaration

Director of Sustainable Innovation

We prove that good animal welfare does not increase our carbon footprint.

We are conscious that increased demand and better animal welfare may demand more area, and for this reason, our goal is to compensate for all new area we use.

We must be open and honest about everything we do. We contribute to increased knowledge and mutual development through the sharing of our own experiences and knowledge with other players.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals that affect our value chain shall be emphasised in all decisions made in our development efforts.

As a minimum, we shall comply with prevailing regulations and set a goal to only buy from suppliers who are approved in accordance with recognised environmental certification schemes.

We shall contribute to research and development of new solutions that may reduce our carbon footprint in every step of our value chain.

Norsk Kylling shall be the preferred supplier due to our leading position in environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions.

Excerpt from the environmental declaration of Norsk Kylling

“In all decisions, we must think bigger than ourselves, think circular, and contribute to responsible supply chains for sustainable food production. This reflects our work across the entire value chain.” Kjell Stokbakken CEO

Environmental ambitions

We’re building a green value chain that sets a new environmental standard for all future food industry

Climate-positive

We will not contribute to an increase of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere but contribute to a reduction.

Nature-neutral

We will not reduce biodiversity, but have a positive impact.

Area

We will reduce our footprint by 30% while still meeting our customers increased demand for sustainable chicken.

Renewable

We will develop a value chain which uses clean energy, mainly self-produced or surplus energy from others.

Circular economy

We will be world leading in resource efficiency.

We

Hilde Talseth, Director of Sustainable Innovation

Responsible and ambitious development efforts are a prerequisite for sustainable growth. That is why we have a dedicated department with a portfolio of development projects that help us achieve our ambitions.

In our efforts to create the world’s best value chain, there are still significant and exciting challenges ahead of us. We actively work at every stage to find new, innovative, and sustainable solutions.

develop permanent, sustainable value chains that support unique and responsible products.

Sustainability initiatives in the value chain

Environmentally friendly packaging

Preservation of nutrients

Sustainable feed ingredients

Environmentally friendly hatchery

Reducing wastage

Utilisation of surplus products

processing plant

Environmentally friendly transport

Biogas production

Environmentally friendly farmhouses

Cooperating to achieve our vision

Cooperation is the key to achieving our vision of being the world’s best value chain in food industry. We believe that by working with external parties, regardless of whether they agree or disagree with us, we can work together to speed up our transition to the low-emissions society, food industry, and agriculture of tomorrow. Exchanging experiences, skills, and ideas yields good discussions that lead to innovation.

Feed is crucial for good animal health

In nature, chickens live off seeds, plants and insects. A little of everything. Unlike a lot of livestock, poultry can't digest grass. For this reason, chickens eat feed that helps them maintain good nutritional intake and good health. Our objective is to create a balanced feed by combining various raw ingredients, ensuring that the chickens receive the essential nutrients they require. The right diet lets chickens grow and stay strong and healthy.

Through

Our chicken feed consists of*:

their life cycle.

In Norway, there are three feed suppliers for livestock. The farmers associated with us can choose which supplier they want to buy feed from.

We have two main types of feed:

Starting feed – From day one until the chickens are approx. 12 days old

Growth feed – From when the chickens are approx. 13 days old

*The figure is representative for average feed composition in 2022. **Vitamins, minerals, probiotics, acids, enzymes.

collaboration with the feed suppliers, we have tailored our feed to precisely meet the nutritional requirements of chickens throughout

We will remove soy from our feed by 2030

Why are we cutting soy?

For us, it is important that our decisions are comprehensive and evidence-based. All initiatives we undertake should have a measurable impact and help us achieve our vision. In addition to annual climate reporting, we conducted a lifecycle analysis of the entire value chain in 2021. Although all soy used in our value chain is certified and deforestation-free, the high global demand for soy in feed production has negatively affected ecosystems in other countries. The analysis revealed that approximately 80 % of the value chain's carbon footprint comes from the chicken feed. Therefore, we need to think differently. We are diligently working to identify nutritious, locally sourced, and sustainable alternative protein sources that contribute to increasing self-sufficiency.

This is our feed specialist

Mie Bjune Gjeten works as a project manager for feed in the Sustainable Innovation department. With a background in microbiology from NMBU and several years of industry experience in feed development, Mie holds a pivotal role in ensuring that our chickens receive the highest quality feed. She is specifically responsible for sourcing responsibly produced feed with sustainable ingredients.

We are making targeted efforts to find new feed ingredients

Our ambitions for new feed ingredients align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Maintain good animal welfare

We are participating in multiple projects with the goal of testing and developing future feed ingredients. These are some of the ingredients we are researching

Contribute to good public health

Increase the use of local raw ingredients

Protect the rainforest

Support local associated farmers

Reduce the use of human food

Compete on price and quality

Tunicates

Insects

Grass

Kelp

We have a farmhouse for feed development

The goal of our research is to test new feed ingredients that can help achieve our goals

The farmhouse is divided into two sections, giving us the opportunity to test different types of feed in the same farmhouse

The farmhouse lets us measure improvements

The farmhouse has facilities to receive different feed in the two sections

The farmer is the host for the feed trials. He manages the farmhouse as usual but divides his work between the two sections. The farmer's input and experiences are important for the assessments that are made.

We have a feed specialist and a veterinarian who oversee each trial

Per Olav Tranmæl, farmer at Norsk Kylling

Heat pump

The hatchery is supplied by renewable energy from solar cells and the power grid.

Energy storage

Energy recovery

Energy is recovered back to energy storage.

Smart management

Our smart power management system reduces expenses and the strain on the power grid.

Consumption

Energy is used to heat the facility and cool processing equipment.

Renewable energy supplies heat pumps that fill our energy storage with electricity. Reduction

Our new hatchery will have a 100 % renewable energy concept

Farmers in the value chain take responsibility in the green transition

From 2020 to 2020, we have increased the farmhouse area with renewable energy from 25 % to 60 %

This is equivalent to a 35 % reduction in the climate impact from our farmhouses

In recent years, many farmers have switched to renewable energy sources, such as wood chips, solar cells, and pellets.

An increasing number of farmers are recovering heat from the air in the farmhouse using heat recovery systems.

Project for measuring energy data in a farmhouse

The project will give us knowledge on sustainable and energy-efficient solutions suited to the needs of the farmer and chickens

When we started our efforts with energy-efficient farmhouses, we realized that we lacked measurement data.

We need to know how the farmhouses utilize energy in order to choose the best measures.

Gisle Bakken, Project Manager for Sustainable Innovation

We have installed measuring points* in two farmhouses belonging to one of our farmers. One new and one older farmhouse.

We measure energy consumption in the two farmhouses throughout an entire year.

A simulation model identifies the best solutions for energy optimisation.

We use measurement data as an aid to develop renewable energy concepts.

Two students from NTNU are writing their master's thesis on energy concepts in farmhouses based on data from the project.

We use our findings to make good decisions for the future and assist farmers in the switch to renewable energy sources.

*Energy meters installed by Glitre Energi.

Norsk Kylling is a certified Eco-Lighthouse since 2017

The Eco-Lighthouse scheme is Norway's leading certificate and documentation of environmental efforts and corporate social responsibility.

New environmental standard for the processing plant

Our energy concept in numbers

Surplus energy saves the environment of energy production equivalent to the annual consumption of 1600 homes

In cooperation with Orkland, a pipeline has been established beneath the fjord to supply our plant with surplus energy that would otherwise be discharged directly into the fjord

We've installed solar cell panels on the roof of the processing plant that supply the building with energy

We use smart energy management systems and thermal energy storage

The solar cells saves the environment the equivalent of 20 homes of energy production

We've built a seawater intake that allows us to use seawater for all our cooling needs. Saving up to 20% of energy

The seawater intake provides cooling equivalent to 3175 homes

The plant utilises 100% renewable energy

The solutions were developed in cooperation with partners with heavy industry expertise

Our energy concept is based on the idea of thinking bigger than ourselves.

For this reason, we have built an energy center with the capacity to share renewable energy with other industrial actors in our local area. It is circular economy in practice!

Biogas reduces emissions from transportation

By replacing diesel with biogas, we are one step closer to achieving our goal of 100 % renewable fuel for transportation by 2030.

Thomas Haltland, Head

In 2022, we received three trucks that use compressed biogas (CBG) as fuel. With biogas as the fuel source and a battery solution for heating the cargo room, the trucks operate on 100 % renewable energy!

Biogas

Biogas is formed when organic matter is broken down by microorganisms in an oxygen-free environment. This natural gas primarily consists of methane and carbon dioxide. A biogas plant ensures that the methane gas is captured in a controlled manner, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere. Methane has a high energy content and is therefore wellsuited as a fuel. The utilization of byproducts for biogas does not contribute to additional emissions, as the raw material is already part of the natural cycle. Biogas also replaces fossil energy sources. A win-win situation!

of Logistics

The egg truck transports eggs from hatching egg farms to the hatchery

The chicken trucks transport day-old chickens from the hatchery to the broiler farmers

The trucks refuel at our own biogas filling station

Biogas filling station

In the fall of 2022, we completed our biogas fuelling station in Støren, commercially available to everyone. The fuelling station is the result of the great collaboration with our transporter, Gildset Transport and our shared focus on environmentally friendly and responsible animal transportation. Støren biogas station can be used by anyone with biogas vehicles running on compressed biogas(CBG).

Trucks

Emission-free biogas trucks transport eggs and chickens in our value chain.

Raw materials

Waste from our hatchery is used as raw materials.

We run trucks using fuel derived from our own waste!

Infrastructure

Our own refuelling station for compressed biogas (CBG) at Støren.

Biogas

Clean biogas produced in Verdal. The residual product is being used as plant fertiliser.

We've developed a circular economy solution for the implementation of biogas...

…and made it accessible to anyone who wishes to contribute to reducing emissions from transportation.

We take care of the all the resources in the value chain

Full utilisation of resources is an important measure in the circular economy.

By-products are residues from production that do not end up on the dinner table, such as eggshells, bones, offal, blood and feathers.

in 2022

We are involved in several projects where we explore alternative uses for the by-products, ensuring that we utilise the entire chicken in the best possible way.

Over 20,000 tons of by-products were utilised for biogas production

The right packaging is a key environmental measure

Shelf life and wastage

Packaging protects the product from external impacts, extends its shelf-life, and reduces wastage.

Food safety

The packaging ensures that the product is of the same standard as when it was produced, so that the food is safe to eat.

Logistics

Packaging simplifies transport and handling of products, from production, to shop, to consumer.

Quality

The packaging preserves the product's quality, taste, and appearance.

Environment

The packaging is made from a material that puts the least possible strain on the environment.

Focus areas for research and development in 2022

Reducing plastic waste

Researching alternatives to plastic

Extending shelf life

Reducing food wastage

Increasing the use of recyclable and recycled materials

Plastløftet

Plastløftet

Plastløftet (The Plastic Pledge) is launched by Grønt Punkt Norway, as a measure to contribute to a more circular plastic economy. It is an investment in the plastic packaging of the future, which is smarter, more innovative, and sustainable.

Increase the use of recycled plastic

In 2022, 44 % of the plastic in our packaging was made from recycled materials

Avoid unnecessary use of plastic

Design for recycling

We contribute to biodiversity

More than 75% of global food production relies on insect pollination.* Therefore, it is important for us to contribute with measures that reduce the negative impact of monoculture in agriculture.

Since 2021, we have been working together with Felleskjøpet and NIBIO in a research project to examine how flower hedgerows along grain fields can enhance insect diversity.

In the project, 21 farmers have sown flower hedgerows alongside their grain fields. Additionally, 10 hectares of the area surrounding our processing plant have been transformed into a flower meadow. Altogether, this corresponds to 15 football fields of enticing food sources for insects.

21 10 farmers planted flower hedgerows around their fields hectars of flower hedgerows around our plant

8 different species of bumblebees visited the hedgerows

Through the research project, we have established that the flower hedgerows are an important food resource for pollinating insects, such as hoverflies, honeybees, solitary bees, in addition to 8 different species of bumblebees.

*Source: Regjeringens tiltaksplan for ville pollinerende insekter (2021).

We keep annual climate accounts

Our climate reporting covers the entire value chain

Scope 1

Scope 2

Direct emissions from our activities

Climate accounts

Climate accounts are accounts for a company’s direct and indirect emission of gases that may lead to an increased greenhouse effect. For the sake of comparison, all emissions are converted to CO2 equivalents (CO2e).

Scope 3

Energy we purchase Indirect emissions from customers and suppliers

Why are climate accounts important to us?

We measure where emissions occur in the value chain

We analyse and complete measures to reduce emissions

We are transparent and share our results

No increase in carbon footprint with a slower-growing chicken breed

In 2021, Asplan Viak completed a life cycle analysis of the effects of switching chicken breed.

The analysis shows that switching to Hubbard provides increased animal welfare without increasing the carbon footprint. The analysis was third-party reviewed by NIBIO.

Slower-growing - Hubbard

Fast growing - Ross

Carbon footprint and environmental goals

Emissions per scope Norsk Kylling 2022

Emissions development compared to 2020 [kg CO2 / kg chicken]

2020 was the last operating year before our environmental initiatives were implemented.

Food and quality

Food safety declaration

We must maintain a culture in which everyone takes responsibility to report undesirable incidents and non-conformities, and to make suggestions for improving the workplace.

We must actively work with our non-conformance management system, and handle feedback from our customers.

We must maintain good cooperation with the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and other relevant administrative authorities.

We shall actively contribute to research and development of new solutions that may improve shelf life and food safety.

We shall contribute to and encourage the development of competence among employees in the production department, including relevant trade certificates.

All suppliers of raw goods, ingredients, and food contact materials must be certified and/or approved in accordance with our quality requirements.

We must be open and share experiences with other businesses so that we can learn from each other.

Excerpt from the food safety declaration of Norsk Kylling

“Norsk Kylling shall be a responsible and leading player in the production of safe food. We must work in a targeted and structured manner throughout our value chain with continuous focus on food safety. All employees at Norsk Kylling must be trained and empowered to always deliver products of the highest quality.”

Safe, high-quality food

This is Solfrid. She leads the Quality Department, which consists of 4 quality engineers.

Our quality department consists of talented people with special expertise that ensures safe food for our customers

All employees complete a hygiene course every year

We follow strict regulations for inspection and food safety

We test and analyse products in our own modern laboratory

In our sensory laboratory, we perform thorough sensory tests on products

We cooperate with the Norwegian Food Safety Authority every day

Food safety grade A

We have been BRCGS certified for the first time, and we received an A rating! That is proof that we produce safe food of the highest quality.

Gunnar Andreas Aarvold, Plant Director

In the standard, we are revised on:

Food safety

Traceability

The BRCGS global standard for food safety is a certification scheme used by over 22,000 players in more than 130 countries. Our goal is to achieve an AA rating by 2025.

Cleanliness and hygiene

Routines and training

Our Solvinge products

In 2022, we had over 40 products in REMA 1000's stock

We believe that chickens who live better, taste better. For that reason, animal welfare always comes first for us. That lets you eat delicious chicken with a clear conscience.

Solvinge is sustainable

Norwegian consumers have named Solvingethe most sustainable brand for chicken!

For our efforts in 2022, Solvinge was named the most sustainable brand in meat production, and the 14th most sustainable brand in Norway in the Sustainable Brand Index: Europe's biggest independent brand survey on sustainability.

268 brands

24 industries

11,000 consumers

Award-winning products from Solvinge

2017-2022

In 2022, our grilled chicken wings won bronze in the national championship in the grill category We work extensively on product development and testing to satisfy the wants and needs of the consumer. It’s an honor to receive recognition that we’ve made a high quality product.

Steinar Buklev, production manager, grill

Did you know...

We have Keep-it shelf-life indicators on our natural Solvinge products?

This helps consumers assess the product’s shelf-life. Uncertainty about date stamping is one of the most common reasons for why we throw away food.

In 2022, we increased the shelf life of our products by up to 14%

We are reducing food waste

We are continuously working to prevent and reduce food wastage.

Measures we take:

We had 1 % food wastage from the processing plant in 2022. A 26 % reduction since 2020.

Lower temperatures increase the shelf-life of our products

Keep-it shelf-life indicators

Food donation

Industry agreement to reduce food wastage

We are part of the agreement for reduced food waste, where the government and stakeholders in the food industry commit to halving food waste in Norway by 2030, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Matvett's resource pyramid*

In order to reduce food waste, the goal is for the majority of the food we produce to reach the highest tier in the pyramid. In cases where this is not feasible, we manage the food that has become waste in an efficient manner.

*Source: NORSUS: Kartleggingsrapport for matbransjen og forbrukerleddet

We cooperate with Matsentralen - Food Banks Norway

Matsentralen facilitates the distribution of surplus food from the food industry to charities that help people in need.

We think this is a fantastic initiative!

In 2022, we donated the equivalent of over 35,000 meals to Matsentralen!

Matsentralen collects ready-to-use chicken products from us. This is food that can't be sold for various reasons, but is safe to eat.

Matsentralen sorts and stores the food, which is then collected by a variety of charities.

The charities prepare meals or bags food for distribution or delivery.

The food goes to those who need it the most.

Food labelling schemes for healthy, responsible products Look for the Keyhole and the Nyt Norge label when you're buying groceries

The Keyhole is the authorities labelling scheme to make it easier to make healthier choices. If you choose keyhole-labelled food goods, you are eating less fat, sugar, and salt, and more fibre and whole grain.

Nyt Norge is the official mark of origin for Norwegian food and drink. The labelling scheme guarantees that the ingredients are Norwegian, that the farmer complied with strict Norwegian regulations and can document it, and that the food was produced and packaged in Norway.

The Keyhole

The Nyt Norge label

Dietary advice of the Norwegian Directorate of Health

The Directorate of Health recommends choosing lean meat and lean meat products*.

We have signed the adhesion agreement for a healthier diet. We cooperate with the health authorities and the rest of the food industry to make it easier for consumers to make healthy choices.

100 % of our products are gluten-free**

*Source: Helsedirektoratet: Kostrådene, Inntak av næringsstoffer

Chicken is a key part of our diet

High protein

Lean, healthy fats

Important vitamins

Read the dietary advice on the Norwegian Directorate of Health website

* Some products are packed by sub-suppliers with dipping sauces. These sauces may contain gluten.