Date: 23/04/2025

Sustainability has been consolidated as one of the strategic pillars for industrial development and the preservation of natural resources. Since the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were formalized by the United Nations (UN) in 2015, governments, companies and institutions have stepped up their efforts to adopt more responsible practices in line with the green economy.

With an increasingly challenging global scenario, driven by climate change, environmental regulations and transformations in consumer behavior, the need to integrate sustainability into production chains has become non-negotiable. To this end, Brazil, as one of the leading players in agribusiness and the food industry, has made progress in adopting sustainable models, reinforcing its position as a leader in the sector.

To understand this panorama, this content explores the main trends that should impact industrial sustainability, covering topics such as the circular economy, traceability, ESG and innovative initiatives that are redefining the way resources are used. In addition, we highlight the actions of BRF Ingredients, which combines innovation and environmental responsibility to build a more efficient and sustainable production model.

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Origin and panorama of sustainability

The term sustainability was officially introduced in 1987, during the United Nations (UN) World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), under the leadership of the former prime minister of Norway, Gro Harlem Brundtland.

Since then, the concept has become a guiding principle for balancing economic growth, environmental preservation and social well-being, and has been widely incorporated by governments, companies and society.

Today, sustainability is more than a concept, it has become a global commitment, driven by regulatory frameworks and new market demands.

Linked to this, the advance in the need to mitigate environmental impacts and adopt more efficient production models places sustainability at the center of companies' structural models, guiding innovations that seek to reconcile economic development and environmental responsibility.

The advance of sustainable practices has been driven by factors such as new environmental regulations, changes in consumer behavior and technological innovations aimed at production efficiency.

Since 2015, when the United Nations General Assembly launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the report “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, the debate on sustainable development has intensified in various spheres.

In recent years, major global markets have established stricter guidelines to reduce carbon emissions and promote a more responsible use of natural resources.

The European Union, for example, has strengthened its environmental policies through the European Green Deal, which sets ambitious targets for decarbonizing the economy.

In Brazil, the country is preparing to host one of the most important events on the subject: the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP30), which will take place in Belém, Pará, in November 2025. The event will bring together world leaders, scientists and representatives of civil society to debate solutions to the climate crisis. It is estimated that the conference will welcome more than 40.000 visitors, including government delegations and sustainability experts.

Given this scenario, some trends are likely to become even more relevant in 2025:

Circular economy and waste optimization

Companies seek to minimize waste, transforming by-products into valuable inputs for new industrial applications.

Decarbonization and renewable energies

The adoption of cleaner energy sources and the search for low carbon emission processes are consolidated as strategic priorities.

Traceability and food safety

The use of technologies to guarantee transparency in the production chain strengthens consumer confidence and meets regulatory requirements.

Bioeconomy and sustainable solutions

Valuing renewable raw materials and replacing synthetic inputs with biotechnological alternatives expands opportunities in the production sector.

How the valorization of co-products has a positive impact on the circular economy

The incorporation of by-products and waste into production processes has been an essential strategy for achieving a more sustainable industry, optimizing the use of resources and reducing waste.

According to Melo (2021), by-products are continuously generated in essential industrial activities, making their presence in production chains inevitable. In this way, the valorization of these by-products in the agro-industry has enabled new applications that add value to production chains, reduce environmental impacts and become viable alternatives for animal nutrition, being used as supplements in feed, especially in periods of forage scarcity due to seasonality.

By incorporating this strategy, there is a presumed improvement in production efficiency and a reduction in costs for producers, making it a more accessible option compared to conventional ingredients (AZEVÊDO et al., 2012).

In addition to animal nutrition, the recovery of waste drives the circular economy in various sectors, since the reuse of biomaterials allows for the development of new products, reduces the need for virgin raw materials and minimizes carbon emissions.

The importance of the integrated chain for traceability, safety and ESG

The concept of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) gained global prominence with the 2004 “Who Cares Wins” report, a joint initiative between the United Nations (UN) and financial institutions, called the UN Global Compact.

The aim was to develop guidelines for integrating environmental, social and corporate governance issues into asset management and other strategic sectors. Since then, the issue has become central to companies seeking to operate more responsibly and in line with the demands of consumers, investors and regulatory bodies.

In this sense, the integration of the production chain has gained prominence, guaranteeing strict control over the origin of inputs, industrial processes and the destination of products, with a view to improving operational efficiency and strengthening compliance with environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria.

Traceability is one of the pillars of sustainable practices, allowing detailed monitoring of all production stages. According to Vinholis and Azevedo (2003), a traceability system, whether computerized or not, makes it possible to monitor different pieces of information related to the production process, including data on products, personnel and services.

In the agro-industrial sector, this practice ensures food safety by making it possible to quickly identify possible faults, reducing health risks and strengthening product reliability. In addition, integrated traceability systems make it possible to adopt quality certifications, adding value to the production chain and increasing competitiveness in the global market.

Another fundamental aspect of the integrated chain is its contribution to sustainability, since companies that implement continuous monitoring are able to more efficiently optimize resources, reduce waste and mitigate impacts, guaranteeing compliance with environmental and social targets.

In the ESG scenario, this control reinforces companies' commitment to responsible production, in line with international best practices. By adopting an integrated and traceable approach, the industry strengthens its credibility and promotes a safer and more sustainable production model.

Sustainable initiatives adopted by BRF Ingredients

Sustainability has been one of the main drivers of evolution in industrial processes, encouraging companies to adopt more responsible practices, focusing on production efficiency and alignment with environmental and social requirements.

Within this scenario, traceability, the circular economy and efficient resource management have become key factors in ensuring sustainable, high added value production.

Committed to this progress, BRF Ingredients implements an integrated production chain model in which by-products are reused to manufacture essential ingredients for sectors such as Animal Nutrition, Food Ingredients and Human Health.

To remain compliant, the company also acts within its global ESG commitments, aligning itself with the UN's 12th Goal: Responsible Consumption and Production. Its actions include developing sustainable solutions for animal welfare, reducing environmental impact and creating more transparent and responsible business relationships.

In this context, BRF's Sustainability Plan stands out for integrating the entire production process, from the conduct of partners to initiatives for social inclusion, waste reduction, promotion of animal welfare and development of ingredients with less environmental impact.

Final considerations

Sustainability is an essential responsibility for ensuring a balance between economic growth and environmental preservation.

Over the years, the issue has become increasingly strategic for governments and companies, driven by stricter regulations, changes in consumer behavior and technological advances that enable more efficient and responsible production processes.

In this context, BRF Ingredients is continuously dedicated to developing solutions that value co-products, reduce waste and promote a production model aligned with the most advanced environmental and social guidelines.

To find out more about innovation, sustainability and the main trends in the food and feed market, keep up to date with BRF Ingredients' content on our social networks: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.