Sustainability at AOT Responsibility along the value chain

Sustainability has been one of the central pillars of AOT since the company was founded. With our sustainability report, we make visible what drives our day-to-day actions: high-quality organic raw materials, long-term partnerships, responsible supply chains and a conscious approach to energy and resources.

The report summarises our key sustainability topics – from organic raw materials and international sourcing to energy, packaging and shipping, social projects and specific sustainability targets.

For us, the sustainability report is not an end point but the start of an ongoing process. It helps us to document measures, make progress visible and define further steps towards a more sustainable future.

Packaging protects our raw materials on their way to our customers. At the same time, we want to keep the use of materials and the resulting packaging waste as sensible as possible. That is why we rely on suitable packaging sizes, reusable packaging and recyclable materials.

We supply our products in a range of packaging sizes – from smaller units from 1 kg up to canisters, pails, drums and IBCs. This allows the packaging to be adapted to the respective requirement.

Used, intact IBCs are reused. Packaging that can no longer be used is disposed of properly. Metal drums are compacted and sent for metal recycling.

For parcel shipments, we use crumpled paper made from 100% recycled paper as filling material. Our packing tape is made of kraft paper and can be disposed of together with the shipping carton.

Since January 2023, we have used the UPS Carbon Neutral add-on service for our UPS parcels. According to UPS, the estimated transport-related emissions are offset through climate protection projects.

At AOT, sustainability does not begin at our own site but already with sourcing. Our value chain covers product development, purchasing, production, distribution and sales. Responsible purchasing is therefore an important part of how we act sustainably.

With our Code of Conduct, we define clear requirements for AOT and our business partners. Among other things, it covers compliance with applicable laws and regulations, human and labour rights, occupational health and safety, the environment and sustainability, quality and product safety as well as business ethics and integrity.

Particular focus is placed on respect for human and labour rights. Child labour, forced labour and discrimination are not tolerated. At the same time, fair working conditions, appropriate remuneration, statutory working hours and rest periods as well as safe and healthy working conditions are a prerequisite.

The responsible use of natural resources is also part of our Code of Conduct. This includes compliance with applicable environmental regulations, the efficient use of energy, water and raw materials and the minimisation of emissions and waste. Environmentally friendly technologies and processes are to be given preference.

Our requirements do not apply only to direct business partners. They undertake to pass on the content of the Code of Conduct along their supply chain and to ensure compliance with it. AOT is also entitled to verify implementation through document reviews or on-site audits.

With the Code of Conduct, we thus create a common basis for responsible sourcing, reliable business relationships and the continuous development of social, environmental and economic standards

Our production and office site was designed with energy-efficient use in mind. Both buildings are heated by air-source heat pumps. In addition, our photovoltaic system with an installed capacity of 99.9 kWp generates our own electricity.

By deliberately scheduling machines, computers and other electricity consumers, we can use as large a share as possible of the solar power generated directly on site. In 2022, the photovoltaic system covered around 30% of our electricity demand.

The construction of our production and office site was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

For AOT, upcycling is more than a trend. For us, it means using raw materials as holistically as possible and making further use of valuable by-products.

As early as 2005, AOT was one of the first companies to produce a high-quality almond protein from the press cake left over from almond oil production. This turned a by-product of oil extraction into a valuable raw material for the food industry.

Upcycling also plays an important role in cosmetics. Many of our high-quality plant oils are obtained from by-products of food production. For organic pomegranate seed oil, for example, seeds from pomegranate juice production are used. Organic rosehip seed oil is made from seeds that are not needed in the manufacture of rosehip products.

For us, holistic use also means obtaining several products from one plant or fruit. Almonds yield organic almond oil and organic almond protein. Cashew kernels yield organic cashew flour and organic cashew kernel oil. From hemp, hemp seed oil, hemp protein and other raw materials can be obtained from different parts of the plant.

In this way, by-products create new opportunities for adding value – with the most holistic use possible of our raw materials along the supply chain.

For AOT, sustainability is more than the responsible use of raw materials, packaging and energy. For us, it also includes social responsibility – and the question of what contribution we can make to people and our region.

That is why we support regional initiatives that start where help and commitment are really needed.

One example is our support for Bunter Kreis Kempten. The association supports families with children and adolescents who are seriously or chronically ill or have cancer, as well as premature and at-risk newborns. The work of Bunter Kreis provides valuable support for families in challenging life situations.

The Allgäuer Bio-Brotzeitdose (organic lunch box) by Bio-Ring Allgäu is also part of our social engagement. The initiative aims to introduce children early on to the value of healthy organic food and to raise awareness of nutrition, origin and quality. We are pleased to support this project and thereby contribute to a conscious and healthy start to the school day.

For us, sustainability is reflected not only in what we produce and how we do business. It is also reflected in taking responsibility, strengthening regional initiatives and providing support where our commitment can make a real difference.

Cooperation with universities is an important part of our research activities. Together with scientific partners, we study raw materials, their properties and their potential applications. The resulting findings help to further develop existing processes and open up new applications.

AOT is also committed to promoting scientific work in the organic food industry. This includes the Organic Food Research Award, known today as BioThesis. It recognises academic theses and makes new findings and innovative approaches in this field visible.

Through our commitment, we aim to strengthen the exchange between science and business and help research results provide impetus in business practice as well.

The further development of the organic sector thrives on exchange, shared positions and the commitment of its companies. That is why AOT is an active member of the Association of Organic Food Producers (AöL).

The AöL represents the interests of organic food producers at national and European level. It promotes cooperation among its members, creates space for professional exchange and addresses current developments and challenges in the organic food industry.

As an active member, AOT particularly values the dialogue with other companies and the opportunity to contribute experience and perspectives within the industry. This exchange helps us to get to know different points of view, discuss shared challenges and actively help shape developments in the organic sector.

For AOT, membership is therefore more than a network connection: it is part of our commitment to a sustainable organic economy and to the further development of the industry in which we operate.

As an internationally active company, we regard face-to-face meetings, supplier audits and customer visits as an important part of our collaboration. At the same time, we keep business travel and other mobility to what is necessary.

We primarily use digital formats for meetings and coordination. This allows many journeys and business trips to be avoided. When face-to-face meetings are necessary, journeys are combined wherever possible and – where it makes sense – made by train.

At the Wiggensbach site, electric charging stations are available that can be supplied with self-generated electricity from our own solar PV system. This allows employees and visitors to charge their vehicles with solar power.

Business flights are also limited to what is necessary. Where a meeting can reasonably be held digitally or an alternative means of travel is possible, we avoid flying.

Our raw material portfolio brings together different regions of origin – from shea butter from West Africa and jojoba oil from Peru to St John’s wort macerate from Germany.

Alongside raw material quality, reliable supply relationships and fair treatment of our business partners are important to us. With organic raw materials in particular, long-term cooperation is crucial for reliably coordinating cultivation, processing and procurement.

That is why we rely on personal relationships, regular exchange and long-term partnerships rather than short-term sourcing. This creates a reliable basis for working with our suppliers and supplying our customers.