HKScan will lead a partnership network dedicated to the development of digital technologies that strengthen the responsibility and transparency of the food supply chains.
“HKScan’s goal is a carbon-neutral food chain by 2040 and we are committed to the international Science Based Targets (SBT) initiative. The cooperation launched with the new partnership network is a significant step forward in our responsibility work,” said Ulf Jahnsson, HKScan’s vice president, Sustainable primary production.
“We are moving from carbon footprint calculation to digital handprint calculation, where we can take into account carbon sequestration in primary production, for example. This will open up new opportunities for us to advance our ambitious climate plan.”
The joint project, From Footprints to Digital Handprints, aims to create a data-driven platform for the food supply chain of the future.
“Finland has the potential to be the first country in the world to have a fully transparent, safe and responsible food chain,” stated head of food program, food from Finland Esa Wrang at Business Finland. “The platform will enable companies to develop their own services and business models.”
In addition to HKScan, Biolan, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the Natural Resources Institute and Mtech Digital Solutions will participate in the joint project.
With annual slaughterings of around 93 million birds, HKScan is among the top 40 poultry meat companies in Europe, according to the WATTPoultry.com Top Poultry Companies survey.
HKScan is among the leading food companies in northern Europe and Russia. HKScan produces, sells and markets pork and beef, poultry products, processed meats and convenience foods under brand names including HK, Scan, Kariniemen in Finland, Rose in Denmark, and the pan-Baltic brands Tallegg and Rakvere. HKScan exports to about 50 countries and employs nearly 7,000 people.
In January 2021, HKScan pledged that it would reach carbon neutral in its industrial production by 2025 and to be carbon neutral from farms to consumers by 2040.
