Transparent figures
The GRI Guidelines require numerous aspects to be met in sustainability reporting. Apart from clear information on targets, measures and processes, the company has to collect and publish detailed figures.
This includes, for example, data on energy consumption, wastewater volume and staff composition. These are each allocated to defined topics and disclosures, producing a code based on a combination of numbers and letters. For example, the code for the topic “Energy” is GRI 302. In accordance with GRI standards, this GRI disclosure comprises various disclosures and compulsory requirements on reporting on the topic of energy such as “energy consumption within the organisation”, “energy consumption outside of the organisation” and “energy intensity”. The individual codes for these disclosures are: GRI 302-1 (energy consumption within), GRI 302-2 (energy consumption outside) and GRI 302-3 (energy intensity).
Moreover, the Uelzena Group – in compliance with GRI – has defined its own disclosures and allocated them to existing topics to make the additional key figures transparent for the organisation and to enable a better assessment by third parties. For instance, the topic “Economic performance” has been expanded to include the Uelzena disclosures UG 201-MG (milk price paid) and UG 201-EK (equity ratio) and a chronological comparison.
The Uelzena Group has already published the standard economic key figures and details on raw materials in its Annual Report. Here is an overview.
OVERVIEW OF KEY INDICATORS OF THE GROUP
Disclosure |
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| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
| Receipt of milk raw material | MKG | 773 | 788 | 827 |
UG-MG | Milk price payments | CENT/KG | 31.57 | 35.44 | 53.82 |
102-7 | Turnover | MEUR | 670 | 766 | 1077 |
| Annual net profit | MEUR | 7.86 | 6.74 | 7.62 |
102-7 | Employees (until Dec 31) | TOTAL | 781 | 790 | 832 |
102-7 | Liabilities | MEUR | 130 | 171 | 219 |
UG-EK | Equity ratio | PERCENT (%) | 38.6 | 34.4 | 30.9 |
102-7 | Balance sheet total | MEUR | 246 | 297 | 359 |
201-1 | Direct economic value generated | MEUR | 677 | 768 | 1082 |
| Distributed economic value | MEUR | 661 | 754 | 1114 |
| Retained economic value | MEUR | 16 | 14 | -32 |
Annual average milk price for unprocessed milk paid to the member companies of Uelzena eG (UG-MG): 2022 the milk suppliers were paid a milk price for raw milk (4.0% fat, 3.4% protein) of 53.82 euro cents per kilogram (ex ramp dairy, without VAT). This is significantly more than in the previous year (35.44 cents/kg). In the reporting year, the milk payout of Uelzena eG is 0.38 euro cents above the North German average.
Revenues (sub-indicator GRI 102-7): The consolidated group turnover for 2022 increased significantly compared with the previous year: from around 766 million euros to around 1.077 billion euros. The background to this positive sales development is above all the price increases on the sales markets
Equity ratio (UG-EK): At 30.9 percent, the equity ratio in 2022 remained below the previous year's level. This development is also attributed to revenue reserves from the successful business year. Sufficient equity is one objective for the Uelzena Group because a sound financial foundation is important for the implementation of its strategic plans for the future. And the higher the equity ratio, the higher the assessment of financial stability, which strengthens the credit rating of the company.
Value generated and distributed (GRI 201-1): The generated value has increased from 2021 to 2022. The retained value also increased from 754 to 1.114 billion euros.
RAW MATERIAL AND MATERIAL INPUT (IN TONNES)
Disclosure |
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
301-1 | Agricultural and product related materials1 |
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| Dairy raw materials and semi-finished goods2 | 749,911 | 783,085 | 826,706 |
| of which raw milk | 664,818 | 695,379 | 743,676 |
| of which cream | 66,960 | 69,636 | 64,047 |
| of which skimmed milk and buttermilk concentrate | 18,084 | 17,967 | 18,366 |
| of which skimmed milk/buttermilk/milk permeates | 49 | 101 | 617 |
| Non-dairy raw materials and semi-finished goods2 | 26,584 | 32,624 | 37,147 |
| Packaging material (total) | 4,593 | 3,834 | 4,252 |
301-2 | Packaging material from recycled materials | 37.9 % | 47 % | 42 % |
Materials used (GRI 301-1): The quantity of milk raw materials including semi-finished products increased again from 783,085 tons in 2021 to 826,706 tons in 2022. The volume of non-dairy raw materials including semi-finished goods also increased from 32,624 tons to 37,147 tons.
Recycled input materials used (GRI 301-2): In 2022 - compared to the previous year - less recycled packaging material was used. The percentage share fell from 47 percent to 42 percent. The total amount of packaging material increased to 4,252 tons.
1 100% of the quantities of the product-related procurement material groups have been considered as long as they were recorded in kg. No information is provided for adjuvant and process materials because the amount sourced have been considered to be negligible.
2 New allocation of semi-finished goods from 2016
PRODUCT SALES (IN TONNES)
Disclosure |
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
| Butter, butterfat, premix | 48,596 | 50,060 | 48,894 |
| Cheese | 31,697 | 31,801 | 30,830 |
| Milk powder | 85,926 | 85,241 | 77,384 |
| Delicatessen, sweetened condensed milk | 24,387 | 26,541 | 24,332 |
| Specialty products1 | 36,288 | 42,514 | 46,899 |
102-7 | Total sales of main product groups | 226,895 | 236,157 | 228,339 |
Quantity of products provided/sales (sub-indicator to GRI 102-7): Total sales in the main product groups decreased slightly from 2021 (236,157 tons) to 2022 (228,339 tons).
1 Summary of instant beverages, health products, specialty dry products and contract drying
ENVIRONMENT & PRODUCTION – ENERGY
Disclosure |
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| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
302-1 | Energy consumption within the organisation |
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| Gas purchased | KWH | 254,696,040 | 243,554,787 | 253,292,689 |
| Electricity purchased | KWH | 8,990,123 | 11,410,691 | 10,633,150 |
| Electricity sold | KWH | 2,501,371 | 1,565,058 | 5,440,594 |
| Energy input1 | KWH | 261,184,792 | 253,400,420 | 258,485,245 |
302-3 | Energy intensity based on energy input | KWH/KG | 1.356 | 1.246 | 1.209 |
| of this gas | KWH/KG | 1.323 | 1.197 | 1.184 |
| of this electricity | KWH/KG | 0.034 | 0.048 | 0.024 |
| Production quantities for all Uelzena sites2 | TONNES | 192,554 | 203,399 | 213,886 |
305-1 | Total direct and indirect greenhouse emissions | TONNES | 29,526 | 31,089 | 29,000 |
305-4 | Intensity of greenhouse gas emissions3 | KG/KG | 0.153 | 0.153 | 0.136 |
305-5 | Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions |
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| Referred to base year 2012 | TONNES | -21,715 | -20,152 | -22,241 |
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| RELATIVE | -42.4 % | -39.3 % | -43.4 % |
| Referred to the production quantity in kg (intensity) | KG/KG | -0.140 | -0.141 | -0.158 |
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| RELATIVE | -47.7 % | -47.9 % | -53.8 % |
Energy consumption within the organisation (GRI 302-1): Absolute energy consumption increased slightly from 253,400,420 kWh in 2020 to 258,485,245 kWh in 2021. In turn, the energy consumption per production ton and the energy intensity (GRI 302-3) decreased slightly. Instead of 1.246 kWh/kg in 2021, it was 1.209 kWh/kg in 2022.
Total direct and indirect greenhouse emissions (GRI 305-1 and 305-2): Absolute greenhouse gas emissions decreased slightly compared to the previous year - from 31,089 tons to 29,000 tons. The greenhouse gas intensity (GRI 305-4) has improved and is 0.136 kg/kg. The absolute value of the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in relation to the base year 2012 (GRI 305-5) has also improved compared to the previous year.
1 Purchased energy minus sold energy; energy use without marginal consumption of heating oil
2 Production quantities not consolidated but stated additively. The energy intensity based on energy input is higher than the energy intensity calculated based on consumption (energy input incl. own electricity x efficiency = energy consumption).
3 CO2 emission referred to the production quantity in kg
ENVIRONMENT & PRODUCTION – WATER AND EFFLUENTS
Disclosure |
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| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
303-3 | Total water removal by source |
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| Water consumption, total | M3 | 1,196,875 | 1,189,964 | 1,151,713 |
| of this wells | M3 | 994,225 | 978,324 | 922,770 |
| of this municipal | M3 | 202,650 | 211,640 | 228,943 |
| Water consumption per tonne of product produced | M3 / TONNE | 6.22 | 5.85 | 5.38 |
303-4 | Waste water volume1 | M3 | 916,462 | 840,766 | 797,361 |
| Waste water volume per tonne of product produced | M3 / TONNE | 4.76 | 4.13 | 3.73 |
| Waste water load in kg COD per tonne of product produced | KG / TONNE | 8.65 | 8.15 | 10.00 |
303-5 | Total water consumption | M3 | 280,413 | 349,198 | 354,352 |
| Total water consumption per tonne of product produced | M3 / TONNE | 1.46 | 1.72 | 1.66 |
Total water consumption (GRI 303-5) increased from 349,198 m3 to 354,352 m3. In contrast, total consumption per ton of product has decreased slightly, from 1.72 m3/t in 2021 to 1.66 m3/t in 2022. The reasons for this are the increased processing of raw milk as well as a higher volume of product changes, which required more cleaning operations in contract drying. In addition, ongoing construction activities also contributed to this result.
Total wastewater volume (GRI 303-4): At 797,361 m3 , the volume of wastewater in 2022 was again lower than in the previous year (840,766 m3). The volume of wastewater per ton of product produced also improved: from 4.13 m3/t (2021) to 3.73 m3/t.
1 Waste water only for the Uelzen and Bismark sites; waste water quantities for the Ratzeburg site are negligibly small; Warmsen site has its own sewage treatment plant
ENVIRONMENT & PRODUCTION – WASTE
Disclosure |
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| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
306-2 | Total weight of waste by type and method of disposal |
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| Total weight of waste | TONNES | 1,379.11 | 1,318.67 | 1,635.13 |
| of that waste that is independent from the production quantity1 | TONNES | 57.51 | 36.31 | 127.53 |
| of that waste that is dependent on the production quantity | TONNES | 1,321.60 | 1,282.36 | 1,507.6 |
| of this recyclable | TONNES | 1,120.52 | 1,083.08 | 1,320.44 |
| of this not recyclable | TONNES | 201.08 | 199.28 | 187.16 |
| percentage of recyclable waste | RELATIVE | 84.8 % | 84.5 % | 87.6 % |
| Total waste that is dependent on the production quantity per product produced | KG/TONNE | 6.86 | 6.3 | 7.05 |
Total weight of waste by type and method of disposal (GRI 306-2): The total weight of waste increased from 1,318.67 tons in 2021 to 1,635.13 tons in 2022. The share of recyclable waste based on production volume in 2022 was further increased to 87.6 percent.
1 Waste which is independent from the production quantity includes construction waste, garden waste and outdated files
EMPLOYEES – TOTAL, CONTRACT TYPE, TURNOVER
Disclosure |
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
102-7 | Total | 781 | 790 | 832 |
| Female | 239 | 236 | 250 |
| Male | 542 | 554 | 582 |
102-8-a | Permanent employment | 700 | 712 | 743 |
| Female | 208 | 212 | 224 |
| Male | 492 | 500 | 519 |
| Temporary employment | 28 | 29 | 34 |
| Female | 15 | 11 | 9 |
| Male | 13 | 18 | 25 |
| Apprenticeship/internship | 53 | 49 | 55 |
| Female | 37 | 13 | 17 |
| Male | 16 | 36 | 38 |
102-8-c | Full time | 726 | 737 | 743 |
| Female | 188 | 190 | 196 |
| Male | 538 | 547 | 576 |
| Part time | 55 | 53 | 60 |
| Female | 50 | 46 | 53 |
| Male | 5 | 7 | 7 |
401-1-a | Newly hired employees1 2 3 | 66 | 52 | 72 |
| Female | 24 | 20 | 14 |
| Male | 42 | 32 | 58 |
| of them aged less 30 | 26 | 17 | 25 |
| of them aged between 30 and 50 | 32 | 23 | 44 |
| of them aged over 50 | 8 | 12 | 3 |
401-1-b | Employee Turnover1 2 3 | 59 | 62 | 68 |
| Female | 22 | 23 | 19 |
| Male | 37 | 39 | 49 |
| of them aged less than 30 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
| of them aged between 30 and 50 | 21 | 17 | 27 |
| of them aged over 50 | 18 | 26 | 24 |
Total number of employees (GRI 102-7) and total number of new employee hires: The Uelzena Group's business is growing. Coupled with this development, the number of employees is also increasing. In 2022, the total workforce increased by 42 to a total of 832 employees.
The employee turnover rate (GRI 401-1-b) increased slightly from 7.85 percent in the previous year to 8.17 percent in 2022.
1 Employee-related performance indicators refer to all employees and sites of the Uelzena Group. Headcount is known.
2 Sites are located within Germany, therefore no breakdown by region.
3 Apprentices and interns not included.
EMPLOYEES – LOST DAYS AND TRAINING
Disclosure |
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
403-9 | Number of fatalities as a result of work-related injury | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rate of recordable work-related injuries1 | 31.5 | 30.5 | 24.9 |
403-10 | Lost days per employee due to accidents or occupational diseases | 0.56 | 0.65 | 0.66 |
404-1 | Average hours per year per employee for training and further education | 3 | 2.5 | 8.5 |
UG-DA | Average age of the staff in years | 41.1 | 38.8 | 40.8 |
UG-BZ | Average period of employment in years | 11.1 | 12.7 | 11.5 |
The rate of work-related injuries (GRI 403-9) decreased to 24.9 in 2022. In the previous year, this was 30.5. As in previous years, there were no fatalities due to work-related injuries in 2022.
The average annual hours per employee spent on training (GRI 404-1) was 8.5 hours in 2022, significantly higher than in previous years. This was primarily due to the fact that during the Corona pandemic, a large percentage of digital education and training was not recorded.
The average period of employment (UG-BZ) fell slightly again in 2022 - from 12.7 years in the previous year to 11.5 years.
1404-9: Rate is the number of lost time injuries (1 day and more) per 1 million hours worked (Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIR)).
PROPORTION OF REGIONAL SUPPLIERS IN TOTAL MATERIAL EXPENSES
Disclosure |
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
204-1 | Proportion of regional suppliers in total material expenses |
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| Packaging material1 | 81 % | 80 % | 76 % |
| Non-dairy raw materials2 incl. semi-finished goods | 65 % | 65 % | 50 % |
| Dairy raw materials3 incl. semi-finished goods | 81 % | 77 % | 79 % |
| Total material expenses of the Uelzena Group | 79 % | 76 % | 76 % |
| Proportion of regional services in total service expenses | 20 % | 17 % | 18 % |
UG-RBM | Proportion of regionally procured milk raw materials | 94 % | 94 % | 95 % |
Percentage of expenses to suppliers local to the operation (GRI 204-1): 76 percent of spending on agricultural raw materials and packaging materials goes to regional suppliers, such as milk producers or sugar producers. This corresponds to the previous year's figure. 18 percent of the Uelzena Group's spending on services in 2022 will go to local suppliers. That is one percent more than in 2021.
Percentage of expenses to suppliers local to the operation (UG-RBM): Traditionally, the Uelzena Group procures a very high share of dairy raw materials from local sources. In 2022, similar to the previous year, it was 95 percent. Minor fluctuations in this value are normal and do not indicate a general trend. The Uelzena eG is a cooperatively organised dairy. Liquid milk raw materials are particularly important. The quantity of milk raw materials delivered by the members who hold cooperative shares determines – in addition to the reserves – the amount of equity. This indicator is important for several groups of stakeholders; it also serves to determine regional sourcing. In contrast, GRI 204-1 is defined and accounted for by the GRI organisation as a value share. Uelzena eG therefore uses two similar indicators in order to cater for all information requirements.
1 Regional supplier for packaging materials: Germany: headquarters of the supplier is decisive
2 Regional supplier for non-dairy raw materials: Raw materials and semi-finished goods of suppliers headquartered in Germany
3 Regional supplier for dairy raw materials: 150 km radius around production sites of the Uelzena Group