Mondelēz International, the maker of popular snacks like Oreo cookies, has recently announced investments in companies focusing on compostable packaging and regenerative agriculture through its sustainability-focused venture arm. The company’s Sustainable Futures Impact Investment platform aims to advance scalable, high-impact solutions at the intersection of climate, community, and circularity.
One of the companies receiving investment from Mondelēz is Pack2Earth, which is working to replace plastic packaging with bio-based materials. Another recipient is eAgronom, an agricultural technology company that helps farmers transition to more sustainable practices. Additionally, Ziro, a fintech startup providing inventory financing for small merchants, is also among the companies receiving investment from Mondelēz.
These investments come at a time when several food competitors are reevaluating their sustainability commitments due to declining sales and changing government policies. General Mills recently shut down its venture arm, while PepsiCo has adjusted some of its climate goals to focus on making a more significant impact while maintaining profitability.
Mondelēz has also made changes to its sustainability and innovation commitments, including adjustments to its SnackFutures venture arm. The company has also decided to exit the U.S. Plastics Pact, a coalition of companies working together to improve packaging sustainability.
In its latest sustainability report, Mondelēz reported a 12% reduction in emissions compared to 2018. While the company has made progress in areas like ingredient sourcing and manufacturing emissions, it has faced challenges in reducing the use of virgin plastic.
Looking ahead, Mondelēz acknowledges that there may be obstacles in sourcing new materials and implementing new solutions to reduce plastic usage. However, the company remains committed to its sustainability goals and continues to invest in innovative solutions to address environmental challenges in the food industry.
