Sustainability

Citrusvil are a leading Argentinian company engaged in the production and manufacturing of lemon and its by-products and have made ongoing strides to ensure sustainability is embedded in their processes.

So, how do they do this? Citrusvil utilises technological advancements to improve efficiency! As part of the farming process, drones are used to alter the quantity and distribution of spraying products depending on the crops needs, and areas which would otherwise be difficult to spray due to the topography are easily accessible. This not only reduces water wastage and pollution but also eliminates soil compaction too. In the first year of implementation, 2024, spraying volumes were reduced by 15-20 litres per hectare!

Citrusvil has also made strides to increase its operations energy efficiency too. During 2024, they have procured 55% of their electricity from renewable sources, compared to 21% in 2023. This exceeds the 20% target proposed by the Argentinian Law, putting them ahead of Government targets on the use of renewable energy sources.

This move towards renewables is heavily supported by Citrusvil’s push towards biogas use, which has increased by 122% since 2023. The biogas is generated in their biodigesters, where by-products from lemon production methods are repurposed into an energy source for both electricity generation and powering of industrial boilers. During 2024, they installed a new boiler to increase their capacity for biogas use and aim to operate a dual boiler system to save approximately 1,200 tonnes of CO2e annually.

Iberfruta is a major European supplier of high-quality fruit and vegetable bases, producing aseptic purees, frozen fruits, and vegetable ingredients. Operating since 1991, they have been consistently reviewing ways to make their operations more sustainable.

In recent years, they have installed solar arrays across 4 separate production sites. In total, these sites have the potential to generate 4,487 kilowatt peak, which, depending on the time of year, has the potential to generate 22,000 kwh per day. For scale, this is enough electricity to power nearly 750 homes!

Iberfruta’s ongoing commitment to generating renewable energy has meant that they are currently 25% self-sufficient, and are continuing to make strides to become fully independent of the grid. Iberfruta are in the process of constructing a 1.2-megawatt solar array at their Funes site, which will only further support their sustainability journey.

One of the strongest examples of supplier-led sustainability in action comes from Great Giant Foods (GGF), a long-standing partner that has developed one of the most advanced circular economy ecosystems in the global food sector.

GGF’s 33,500-hectare Food & Energy Estate (FEE) in Lampung, Indonesia is an integrated model where agriculture, renewable energy, and waste management operate as a single continuous cycle. This system is guided by the 9R circular economy framework (refuse, rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, repurpose, and recycle) and demonstrates what is possible when organisations commit to resource efficiency at scale.

Key highlights from GGF’s circular approach include:

• Liquid waste from pineapple processing and the tapioca plant is converted into biogas, replacing 5–10% of fossil fuel use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by around 20,000–40,000 tCO₂e annually.
• Organic by-products such as cow manure, bamboo, and bromelain fibre are transformed into compost and biochar, supporting a targeted 40% reduction in synthetic fertiliser use. This target has been achieved through the application of Liquid Organic Biofertiliser (LOB) and compost, and further strengthened through the use of biochar, compound fertilisers, and crop rotation practices.
• Pineapple stems are upcycled into bromelain enzyme, creating added economic value from materials that would otherwise become waste.
• Fruits and milk that do not meet commercial standards, along with solid waste from cassava processing, are repurposed for maggot cultivation to produce organic biofertiliser.

A recycling facility has been established to process internal plastic waste into reusable materials, with ongoing innovation in bioplastics made from pineapple stem fibre.

The result is a highly efficient closed-loop ecosystem where the output from one process becomes the input for the next, significantly reducing environmental impact while strengthening supply chain resilience.

As we continue advancing our own sustainability commitments at E.E. & Brian Smith, partnerships with suppliers like GGF demonstrate the type of progress and operational transformation that will enable meaningful reductions in energy use and emissions, minimise waste to landfill, and promote regenerative agricultural practices across our value chain.

At E.E. Brian & Smith, it is essential that our suppliers’ sustainability commitments align with our own. As part of our sustainability strategy, we work closely with suppliers to reduce energy and water consumption. 

Aspis Hellenic Juice Industry is one of the largest fruit processors in Greece. With over five decades of experience, Aspis produces a range of fruit juices, purees, aromas, oils, and canned products for the international market. 

Fruit processing generates several waste outputs, with water being a major factor in producing many of our favourite fruit products. By law, wastewater must be treated and cannot be discharged into sewage systems. 

In 2023, Aspis identified an opportunity to significantly reduce wastewater generation. In partnership with GEA (a leading systems supplier for the food sector), Aspis installed the Sludge Decanter Pro 6000. This decanter separates solids from the wastewater treatment process, reducing sludge volume and saving around 50,000 litres of water daily. The separated sludge is repurposed as raw material for the biogas industry, generating electricity that reduces reliance on fossil fuels. At Argos, the decanter operates alongside the existing treatment plant, creating a circular process. 

Building on this progress, in 2024 Aspis enhanced its environmental performance by deploying advanced technology to produce biogas from both liquid and solid waste. With support from its R&I and engineering teams, Aspis completed the installation and startup of a fully automated biogas plant. Two stainless-steel reactors now transform waste into biogas, followed by a steam production stage that completes the cycle. This process covers more than 35% of the plant’s thermal energy needs, resulting in: 

• Less waste
• Lower energy demand
• Reduced environmental impact
• Greater resilience to energy market fluctuations
• On-site renewable energy production

Sustainability efforts at Aspis extend beyond Argos. The company generates 50% of its electricity from solar panels and the rest from owned and leased solar parks. At its North Plant in Zervohori, one-third of thermal energy comes from a biomass boiler fuelled by fruit stones and kernels. Processing-room air conditioning uses an innovative open-cycle geothermal method, for which Aspis is one of few pioneers in Greece. Water vaporized during processing is treated and reused, notably for extracting flavours and oils. 

These initiatives contribute to Aspis’ environmental and energy certifications, including ISO 14001, ISO 50001, and Zero Solids Waste. Aspis continues to act with purpose, striving to deliver a better planet for future generations. 

At E.E. Brian & Smith, we are proud to partner with suppliers like Aspis, who lead in sustainable practices and drive measurable environmental improvements. By working with suppliers investing in circular solutions and responsible resource management, we ensure that sustainability remains a core value across our supply chain.