Sustainability & Quality Certifications

At Savola Foods Company, we reaffirm our commitment to stakeholder value and our responsibility to make a positive impact. Our 2024 ESG Report showcases our ongoing innovation, community engagement, and sustainability progress as we embed these principles into the core of our business.

Our ESG

Philosophy

Savola Foods Company integrates ESG principles across its operations with a focus on sustainability, governance, and social responsibility. As part of Savola Group (assessed by S&P Global for its performance in the food industry), we remain committed to continuous improvement and transparency.

We view our suppliers and customers as strategic partners, whose success is integral to ours.

Through the Savola Professional Division, we foster their growth by promoting a collaborative journey toward operational excellence and long-term sustainability.

We support our customers in reducing costs, conserving energy, minimizing waste, and optimizing resources by enhancing operational efficiency while advancing sustainable practices. In particular, Savola Professional Division champions upcycling, waste minimization, and practical sustainability through expert support. Our artisanal research and development (R&D) industrial experts further this mission by offering live, on-site demonstrations that showcase efficient, environmentally conscious methods in action.

a word from

Our CEO

Our ESG journey has progressed well beyond compliance, transforming into a strategic enabler of performance and growth across Savola Foods. With ESG KPIs now fully embedded in every operating unit, sustainability is no longer a statement of intent, it is a standard of accountability.

Sameh Hassan

Group Chief Executive Officer

In 2024, we evolved ESG from a compliance obligation into a strategic enabler of business performance. We achieved a 17.4% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions against our 2019 baseline and recycled or upcycled over 180,000 tons of by-products into new applications. Our social impact deepened through programs like Negaderha and Makeen, which advance food waste reduction and youth employment. Strong governance has been decisive. By aligning our strategy with Saudi Vision 2030, we actively support the Kingdom’s priorities for climate action, circular economy innovation, and inclusive growth. Looking ahead, our priorities include achieving Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validation, expanding biodegradable packaging, deepening responsible sourcing, and leveraging digitization for real-time ESG risk tracking.

At a glance

Our Impact in Action

Scope 1 & 2 GHG reduction

17.4%
vs. 2019 baseline

Solar power percentage

56%
at GFI Bayara, Dubai

Scope 3 GHG emissions

1st Time
Calculated & reported

Environmental management

ISO 14001
Certification renewed

Emissions compliance

FGD Technology
at United Sugar Company

Trees Planted

1000
Young Olive Trees

A highlight of the year was achieving a 17.4% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions compared to our 2019 baseline, despite total production volume continuing to grow. This reflects clear progress in energy efficiency and optimized resource utilization.

We also delivered:

  • 2% reduction in water consumption versus 2023
  • 6% reduction in landfill waste

At the site level:

  • 56% of electricity demand at GFI was met through solar energy
  • USCA commissioned a flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system to eliminate SOx emissions
  • ASC reduced GHG emissions per MT of production by 11%, with a total absolute reduction of 16.9%
  • SFT installed an oil trap system to prevent oil leakage into water   

Multiple OUs also renewed ISO 14001 environmental certifications, reinforcing continuous compliance.

Scope 1 & 2 GHG reduction

17.4%
vs. 2019 baseline

Solar power percentage

56%
at GFI Bayara, Dubai

Scope 3 GHG emissions

1st Time
Calculated & reported

Environmental management

ISO 14001
Certification renewed

Emissions compliance

FGD Technology
at United Sugar Company

Trees Planted

1000
Young Olive Trees

Employee retention rate

92%
in Saudi Arabia

Disability inclusion

Qaderoon Award

Internal hiring

50%
at Gyma Foods Dubai

Women empowered

30+
in Türkiye

Unified Code of Conduct

100%
of Units

Regulatory compliance

0
Significant non-compliance instances

Cybersecurity

Regular
Risk Assesments & awareness training

Reinforced

24/7
Continuous monitoring controls

Our

ESG Pillars

Environment

We are reinforcing our environmental commitment by reducing carbon emissions, enhancing water stewardship, promoting circular packaging, and embedding responsible sourcing to contribute to regional resilience.

Diaa Rashwan

Chief Insights & Innovations Officer

At Savola Foods, innovation is our pathway to environmental stewardship. In 2024, we proudly achieved a milestone: 100% of Afia oil product in PET bottles in Saudi Arabia are now packed in biodegradable, recyclable bottles — the first transformation of its kind in our sector, which was globally recognized by winning the 2024 SIAL Innovation Selection Award in Paris. This step is not the finish line but the foundation, as we work to expand sustainable packaging across our portfolio. Guided by insights and innovation, we remain committed to protecting our environment and embedding circular solutions that shape a greener future.

Climate & Energy

Savola Foods Company is committed to reducing its emissions through sustainability initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and promote environmentally responsible practices, particularly in food production. By actively tracking our carbon footprint, we aim to minimize our environmental impact and implement effective emission reduction strategies.

We are committed to a 20% reduction in GHG Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 (versus our 2019 baseline). In 2024, we successfully reduced these emissions by 17.4% , powered by energy efficiency projects, renewable energy adoption, and heat recovery investments.

Savola foods company: scope 2 and scope 2 gHG Emissions (TCO2E)

2024
455177.96
2023
455177.96
2022
455177.96
2021
455177.96
2020
455177.96
2019
455177.96

*Total SFC 2024 production MT increased by 1% vs. 2023 and the GHG emissions increased by 1.014%.

Sustainable Packaging

Our sustainable packaging strategy incorporates eco-friendly materials and renewable alternatives to minimize environmental impact. We prioritize
biodegradable plastics and ef ficient use of materials by integrating biodegradable resin formulas and biobatches (pre-commercial production runs
used to test biodegradable or bio-based formulations) into the development of high-density polyethylene, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Water Conservation

Savola Foods Company prioritizes responsible water management by minimizing consumption, reusing and recycling water and ensuring discharged water is contaminant-free. We also emphasize resource efficiency across our supply chain.

2%

reduction of water consumption in 2024 versus 2023

In 2024, operating units undertook multiple initiatives to enhance water efficiency and reduce consumption.

Waste & Circular Economy

We diverted 183,431 metric tons of co-products and by-products in 2024. This waste is repurposed as a resource in other sectors, including chicken feed, soap production, chemical supplements, and biofuels.

Waste repurposed as Co-products and by-products in 2024

Poultry Feed

Biofuel

Chemical Supplements

Soap Manufacturing

ESG is no longer a parallel initiative; it is fully integrated into our operational scorecards, procurement frameworks, and daily routines. A highlight of the year was achieving a 17.4% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions. A major milestone was achieved in Saudi Arabia where all Afia brand products are now packed in biodegradable PET bottles.
We also scaled our co-product valorization efforts… valorizing over 183,000 MT of co-products. As we look forward, our top priorities include advancing Scope 3 emissions data quality, scaling circular and sustainable packaging, and institutionalizing responsible sourcing and supplier governance.

Haitham Sadek

Chief Product Supply Officer

Total waste repurposed

Sugar

120,721 metric tons

Pasta scraps

42,314 metric tons

Sugar

120,721 metric tons

Social

Savola Foods Company creates social value through sustainability, inclusion, and ethical business practices. We focus on community engagement, responsible sourcing, and creating a long-term, positive impact.

Social

Savola Foods Company creates social value through sustainability, inclusion, and ethical business practices. We focus on community engagement, responsible sourcing, and creating a long-term, positive impact.

Our people

In 2024, Savola Foods strengthened its social impact by investing in both our people and our communities. Through the Culture Forward program, extensive training, and initiatives promoting diversity and women empowerment, we continued to build a workplace where every colleague can thrive. Beyond our walls, we expanded our social responsibility reach, from youth development through Makeen to environmental awareness via Negaderha.

Adeeb Moodi

Chief Human Capital Officer

Respect for human rights

Savola Foods Company reported no significant risk of child labor or young workers exposed to hazardous conditions across its operations or supplier network in 2024. All operating units confirmed full compliance with ethical standards and labor regulations, with no flagged incidents. Similarly, there were no indications of forced or compulsory labor within Savola Foods Company’s own operations or its suppliers. The company reinforces ethical labor practices through contractual clauses and by requesting suppliers to share their latest audit and verification reports, reflecting its ongoing commitment to human rights across the value chain.

Our people: DEI

We are dedicated to diversity, equitable representation, and inclusive growth.

Savola foods company: workforce at a glance

total employees

5,499

female employees

301

nationalities representend

45

employees with disabilities

96

women in senior management roles

45

employee retention rate

93%

Hania Serry

Chief Marketing Officer

When women thrive, businesses and societies thrive. At Savola, we see firsthand how empowering women whether as colleagues shaping our strategies, or as consumers influencing our markets drives innovation, authenticity and growth. 
We are committed to creating an environment where women’s contributions are not just valued, but amplified, because that is how we build a more sustainable and inclusive future.

As part of this commitment, Savola Foods Company upholds gender pay equity, ensuring a 1:1 ratio of basic salary and remuneration between women and men for roles of equal value.

Nationalization

Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, we are committed to hiring and retaining local talent . In 2024, our Saudi Arabia operations employed 607 Saudi nationals, who hold 23% of management positions. We support this goal through targeted recruitment, partnerships with platforms like Taqat and Tamaher, and expanded graduate development tracks. Our efforts are reflected in a 94% retention rate for Saudi nationals.

Employee Well-being

We foster a holistic culture of care. This includes providing on-site health and wellness facilities like clinics and first-aid rooms. We run numerous health campaigns (e.g., World Cancer Day, Breast Cancer Awareness) and provide mental health support through online psychological services and wellness sessions. We also build community through social events and recognize achievements with over 970 appreciation cards and 560+ "Monthly Stars" awarded in Saudi Arabia alone.

Our employee well-being initiatives expanded meaningfully in 2024 through a unified companywide approach.

Training & Development

We invest heavily in our people's growth, delivering over 90,000 hours of training globally in 2024. Key initiatives include our ELEVATE leadership program to enhance strategic competencies and the "Empowering Her" program for female leadership. We are digitizing our learning environment through the Oracle Learning Management System (LMS) to centralize training and provide real-time analytics.

Occupational Health and Safety

At Savola Foods Company, our primary occupational health and safety risks stem from hazards within our manufacturing plants. The specialized Savola Foods Company HSE team oversees every aspect of these challenges. The team manages all health and safety issues, including investigating the causes of any injuries or illnesses, and is responsible for delivering all HSE-related training programs.

programs and
community impact

Savola Foods Company drives community impact through the Savola World Foundation and targeted CSR programs. We focus on environmental sustainability, human development, and entrepreneur support, aligning with regional goals like Saudi Vision 2030.

Negaderha

A national food waste reduction program launched by Savola World Foundation to raise public awareness and drive long-term behavioral change among households and in the HORECA sector.

Yumnak

An initiative from Savola World Foundation that supports and scales Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the FMCG, food security, and agritech sectors through hands-on mentorship and expert guidance.

We actively participate in the Saudi Vision 2030 Tamheer program, offering internship opportunities across 97 departments to promote skills development and industry exposure.

We hold Mowaamah certification from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, recognizing our commitment to creating inclusive and accessible workplaces for people with disabilities.

Academic Outreach

A national food waste reduction program launched by Savola World Foundation to raise public awareness and drive long-term behavioral change among households and in the HORECA sector.

An initiative from Savola World Foundation that supports and scales Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the FMCG, food security, and agritech sectors through hands-on mentorship and expert guidance.

Government Partnerships

We actively participate in the Saudi Vision 2030 Tamheer program, offering internship opportunities across 97 departments to promote skills development and industry exposure.

Qaderoon Award

We hold Mowaamah certification from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, recognizing our commitment to creating inclusive and accessible workplaces for people with disabilities.

Local Sunflower Seed Development

We support farmers and enhance food security by developing high-performance local seed varieties. We launched our first proprietary seed, Yudum 2024 (also YDM 2239), and expanded trial plantations.

Olive Tree Grafting

In partnership with local cooperatives, we convert infertile wild olive trees into productive ones. In 2024, we successfully grafted 1,500 trees in Manisa and provided training to local villagers.

Ayvalik Women Endeavor

This program empowers women from underserved communities. For example, it engaged 30 women to hand-paint artisanal Yudum Egemden olive oil bottles, providing them with an income

Internships

We expanded our internship programs to provide students with meaningful, hands-on experience across a wide range of departments, including R&D, IT, Marketing, and Product Supply.

Academic Outreach

We strengthen industry-academia ties by hosting student visits and providing tailored training sessions for institutions like Suez University, the British University, Ain Shams University, and the German University in Cairo.

Food Quality & Nutrition

Savola Foods Company applies a rigorous, standards-driven approach to food quality, safety and nutrition – anchored in the international ISO 22000 food safety management system as well as hazard analysis and critical control points certifications. Our strategy combines health-oriented innovation with smart manufacturing systems that elevate hygiene, traceability and consistency.

Governance

Our governance framework is built on Savola Group’s “Balanced Way” approach, ensuring adherence to international best practices, regulatory standards, and a deep commitment to ethical leadership and corporate responsibility.

Governance

Our governance framework is built on Savola Group’s “Balanced Way” approach, ensuring adherence to international best practices, regulatory standards, and a deep commitment to ethical leadership and corporate responsibility.

In 2024, digital transformation and zero-breach cybersecurity reinforced governance maturity.
We reinforced governance through digital transformation, marked by the successful go-live of Oracle Fusion in Saudi Arabia, supported by cloud analytics and paperless automation on top of our best-in-class cloud infrastructure. Our cybersecurity framework—anchored in a centralized security operations center, advanced controls, and continuous monitoring—achieved zero breaches, underscoring governance maturity and operational resilience.

Hazim Al Ahmadi

General Manager, IT

Digitization

Savola Foods Company drives digitization through innovation and the integration of advanced technologies to boost productivity, efficiency and competitiveness. 
Our "Savola Go Digital" initiative is a five-phase, enterprise-wide transformation to simplify, standardize, and automate business processes. Its strategic pillars are:

1

2

3

4

5

Attract, develop, retain, engage and satisfy IT talents.

Protect an expanding digital footprint with trust and governance.

Build always-on infrastructure to securely connect users, systems and end points to applications and services anywhere.

Build best-in-class business solution capabilities for continuous business growth.

Provide a modern analytics platform to support a data-driven culture.

1

Attract, develop, retain, engage and satisfy IT talents.

2

Protect an expanding digital footprint with trust and governance.

3

Build always-on infrastructure to securely connect users, systems and end points to applications and services anywhere.

4

Build best-in-class business solution capabilities for continuous business growth.

5

Provide a modern analytics platform to support a data-driven culture.

Responsible Sourcing & Ethics

We prioritize supplier compliance, traceability, and sustainability. In 2024, approximately 85%-90% of our procurement budget (excluding strategic raw materials) was directed to local suppliers.
 
  • Certifications: We achieved Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification for our operating units in Arabia, Egypt, and International Food Industries. Our sugar companies (United Sugar, Arabia; Alexandria Sugar; and United Sugar, Egypt) were certified under the VIVE Sustainable Supply program.
  • Integrity: We uphold a strict Code of Conduct and provide an anonymous integrity hotline for employees to report concerns. In 2024, no confirmed cases of corruption were reported, and no legal actions related to anti-competitive behavior were disclosed.

We are committed to deepening our engagement with local suppliers and actively seek opportunities to expand these partnerships across all our operating units.

Awards covering 2024

Afia oil Biodegradable bottle achieved the SIAL Innovation Selection Award in Paris.

Gold award for quality in the Afro-Asian International Olive Oil Competition in Abu Dhabi.

Silver award at the Berlin Global Olive Oil Awards in Germany.

Gold award for quality in the Miami Olive Oil Competition in the USA.

World’s Best Olive Oils for 2025 and has been conferred the GOLD AWARD by the Judging Panel of the NYIOOC | World Olive Oil Competition.

Yudum Egemden Erken Hasat Olive Oil, Times has certified Best Olive Oils of 2025 World Olive Oil Ranking.

Recognition in the Oil China International Olive Oil Competition.

Gold award for quality at the Olio Nuovo Days – Paris Quality Awards.

Gold award in the Amsterdam International Olive Oil Competition in the Netherlands.

Gold award for quality from London International Olive Oil Competitions, UK.

Scandinavian International Olive Oil Competition – SIOOC Stockholm 2025 Gold Medal Winners – Best In Class.

Gold medal in the EVO International Olive Oil Competition in Italy.

Recognition in the Olive Japan International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition.

Gold award for quality in the Canada International Olive Oil Competition.

Bronze award in the Athena International Olive Oil Competition in Greece.

Paris – Olive Kids Awards – Jury of Children – Shiny Gold.

Gold award in the European International Olive Oil Competition in Geneva.

Paris – Top Ten Design – Packaging Design Award.

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