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Annual average milk price for unprocessed milk paid to the member companies of Uelzena eG (UG-MG): 2021 the milk suppliers were paid a milk price for raw milk (4.0% fat, 3.4% protein) of 35.44 euro cents per kilogram (ex ramp dairy, without VAT). This is more than in the previous year (31.57 cents/kg). In the reporting year, the milk payout of Uelzena eG is 0.43 euro cents below the North German average.

Revenues (sub-indicator GRI 102-7): The consolidated group turnover for 2021 noticeably increased compared with the previous year: from about 670 million euros to about 766 million euros. The main reason for this positive trend was the price increases on the sales markets.

Equity ratio (UG-EK): At 38.4 percent, the equity ratio in 2021 remained at 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 2020 to 2021. The retained value also increased from about 661 to 754 million euros.

Materials used (GRI 301-1): The quantity of milk raw materials including semi-finished products significantly rose again from 772,543 tonnes in 2020 to 787,753 tonnes in 2021. The volume of non-dairy raw materials including semi-finished goods also increased from 26,584 to 32,624 tonnes.

Recycled input materials used (GRI 301-2): In 2021 - compared to the previous year - significantly more recycled packaging material was used. The percentage share increased from 37.9 percent to 47.0 percent. The total quantity of packaging material fell to 3,834 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

Quantity of products provided/sales (sub-indicator to GRI 102-7): Total sales in the main product groups increased from 2020 (226,895 tonnes) to 2021 (236,157 tonnes).

¹ Summary of instant beverages, health products, specialty dry products and contract drying

Energy consumption within the organisation (GRI 302-1): The absolute energy consumption has slightly decreased from 261,184,792 kWh in 2020 to 253,400,420 kWh in 2021. Energy consumption per production ton and energy intensity (GRI 302-3) also decreased slightly. Instead of 1.356 kWh/kg in 2020, it was 1.246 kWh/kg in 2021.

Total direct and indirect greenhouse emissions (GRI 305-1 and 305-2): Absolute greenhouse gas emissions increased slightly compared with the previous year - from 29,526 to 31,089 metric tons. The greenhouse gas intensity (GRI 305-4) remained the same at 0.153 kg/kg. The absolute value of the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in relation to the base year 2012 (GRI 305-5) has deteriorated slightly 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

Total water comumption (GRI 303-5) has increased from 280,413 m3 to 349,198 m3. Total consumption per ton of product has also increased, from 1.46 m3/t in 2020 to 1.72 m3/t in 2021, due to increased raw milk processing and an increased volume of product changeovers, 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 840,766 m3, the volume of wastewater in 2021 was significantly higher than in the previous year (916,462 m3). The volume of wastewater per ton of product produced also improved: from 4.76 m3/t (2020) to 4.13 m3/t (2021).

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

Total weight of waste by type and method of disposal (GRI 306-2): The total weight of waste decreased from 1,379.11 tons in 2020 to 1,318.67 tons in 2021. The proportion of recyclable waste based on production volume was also further maintained at 84.5 percent in 2021.

¹ Waste which is independent from the production quantity includes construction waste, garden waste and outdated files

Total number of employees (GRI 102-7) and total number of new employee hires: The Uelzena Group is growing. The number of employees is also growing in line with this development. In 2021, the total staff number increased by 9 to a total of 790.

The employee turnover rate (GRI 401-1-b) increased slightly: from 8.42 percent in the previous year to 8.84 percent in 2021.

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.

The rate of work-related injuries (GRI 403-9) has increased from 11.6 (2020) to 17.2 (2021). The rate of documentable work-related injuries, on the other hand, increased slightly from 26.7 in 2020 to 26.8 in 2021. As in previous years, there were no fatalities due to work-related injuries in 2020.

The average annual hours per employee spent on training (GRI 404-1) was 2.5 hours in 2021. This was mainly due to the fact that during the Corona pandemic, a large part of the digital education and training was not recorded.

The average period of employment (UG-BZ) increased slightly again in 2021 - from 11.1 years in the previous year (2020) to 12.7 years (2021).

¹404-9: Rate is the number of lost time injuries (1 day and more) per 1 million hours worked (Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIR)).

Percentage of expenses to suppliers local to the operation (GRI 204-1): 76 percent of all expenditure on agricultural raw materials and packaging materials went on local suppliers such as milk producers or sugar producers; this is 3 percent less than last year. 17 percent of the Uelzena Group's expenditure on services in 2021 is accounted for by local providers. This corresponds to a decrease of 3 percent.

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 2021, as in the previous year, this was 94 percent of the supply volumes. 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