Viterra

Today, we celebrate Global Ethics Day! We’d like to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of #ethics in conducting our day-to-day operations.   Doing business ethically is an integral part of our sustainability and governance pillars. Viterra is committed to following strong ethical principles, as reflected in our values, code of conduct, policies, and procedures. We are dedicated to upholding good business practices, meeting and exceeding applicable laws and external requirements in everything we do.   We operate responsibly, safely and with integrity to create value in a way that is sustainable, transparent, and respectful of the rights of our customers, our people, our communities and the environment.   Read more about our governance framework here: https://lnkd.in/e-Upphpz   #theagriculturenetwork #EthicsEmpowered

Happy World Food Day! At Viterra, we work every day to find sustainable ways to meet the needs of a growing world.   This year’s theme for World Food Day is the right to "foods" for a better life and a better future. This encompasses food diversity, nutrition, affordability, accessibility, and safety.   Viterra is responsible for the health, prosperity and sustainability of the communities where we source and operate and those we supply. This includes securing food supply and offering resources in case of crisis.   Some of the initiatives that reflect our commitment towards our local communities include our partnership with Canadian Foodgrains Bank to support hunger response initiatives, and an event organised earlier this year by our flour brand in Brazil, Rosa Branca (Viterra) , to take basic food baskets to an isolated riverside community in the banks of the Acará River.   Together, we are stronger and achieve more.   #theagriculturenetwork #WorldFoodDay

Happy International Rural Women's Day to the millions of women across the agriculture industry who play an essential role in bringing food to the world. We would like to give particular recognition to the women of Viterra’s agriculture network, and the contribution they make across all areas of our business, from origination to logistics, sustainability, food security, land management, and more. Today, and every day, thank you. #theagriculturenetwork #womeninagriculture

In early September, our biodiesel, rapeseed meal and glycerin processing facility, Viterra Magdeburg GmbH, participated in Cycle Tour 2024, an annual regional cycling event. Alongside thousands of other #cycling enthusiasts, 10 colleagues explored the Saxony-Anhalt region and contributed to this initiative with their team spirit. Four #colleagues completed the 100 km route from Halle to Magdeburg and six others the 50 km route from Bernburg to Magdeburg. The tour ended at Magdeburg Cathedral Square, where all cyclists joined in a lively celebration at the finish line. We are delighted to have been part of this cycling festival, which connected us with both the local community and regional nature. Congratulations to the team for their dedication and efforts to complete the race! We look forward to participating in next year’s tour! #theagriculturenetwork #Germany #teambuilding

Last month, our Mexican office in Guadalajara successfully carried out the 2024 National Evacuation Drill, proving our strong commitment to emergency preparedness. During the morning of 19 September, over 65 colleagues participated in an earthquake/fire evacuation exercise coordinated by our Viterra Mexico Emergency Brigade. Specific protocols were implemented to ensure a safe, orderly, and efficient evacuation. These drills not only reinforce the importance of being prepared for an emergency, but also foster community cohesion and a safety culture among our colleagues. By simulating real-life scenarios, we increase awareness and the necessity of being prepared for natural disasters, ensuring a rapid response to any crisis. In addition to Guadalajara, the same exercise took place at our Encarnación de Díaz storage facility, with the participation of 24 colleagues, 11 transporters, and three contractors. We would like to thank our Viterra #Mexico Emergency Brigade for their help in this safety #drill. Their leadership and training made it possible for our teams to respond with confidence and efficiency. #theagriculturenetwork #healthandsafety #HSEC

Students from the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (RUAS) recently visited Viterra Botlek, our biodiesel processing facility located in the Rotterdam port, the Netherlands. As part of their theoretical energy optimisation study, 11 students and their tutors were able to visit the facility, which is a leading producer of biodiesel from rapeseed of European origin. Viterra Botlek HSE Manager Dave Klarenbeek and Production Manager Pim Bakker guided students through a tour of the facility and explained how Viterra manages the energy usage at the plant. This is not the first time there has been a collaboration between RUAS students and our facility in Botlek. Viterra previously sponsored two energy studies that helped develop process adjustments that are still in use at our plant today. #theagriculturenetwork #studentvisit

This summer, our biodiesel and oil-crushing facility in #Germany, Viterra Magdeburg, dedicated two weeks to celebrating health and safety as part of our SafeAgri programme. The health and safety of our people is our highest priority, and initiatives like this help reiterate their importance in both personal and professional settings. The two weeks were filled with varied activities such as rollover simulator training, fire safety training, a coordination course, body composition screenings with personalised guidance, an intoxication course, nutritional advice, a shift worker workshop, and more. As a highlight of the event, colleagues were able to submit their names to an internal lottery at each activity station for a chance to win a driver safety training at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. #theagriculturenetwork #healthandsafety #hsec

Viterra attended the Brazilian Cotton Congress this month (Congresso Brasileiro do Algodão), which took place in Fortaleza. This event brings together cotton growers and other industry professionals to discuss innovations and the future developments of the cotton market. Viterra India Country Manager Manek Gupta was a speaker at the opening dinner and shared his views on the global cotton market. Highlighting the sustainability of Brazilian cotton today, Manek stressed that Brazil is a crucial player in meeting the growing global demand for this commodity. #theagriculturenetwork Viterra Brasil

During August, a vapour explosion prevention audit was conducted at our Renova Timbues S.A soybean crushing plant in #Argentina.   Due to the size of the facility, the audit was scheduled over five days. The audit team consisted of a lead auditor and two technical auditors from different regions of the business. It covered visits to the installations, interviews, revision of documents, systems, processes, and technical controls.   Catastrophic Hazard audits are conducted throughout the year in nominated Viterra operated facilities worldwide as part of our Catastrophic Hazard Management process. Within our SafeAgri programme, we have hazard protocols that establish the mandatory requirements at all operations and assets to prevent catastrophic incidents and eliminate fatalities.   Audits help us continuously improve our industrial processes, technology and working practices to prevent vapour explosions and other hazards. They also provide opportunities for coaching and learning from both the site being audited and the audit teams.   Viterra EU HSE Manager Raymond du Preez, lead auditor at the Renova Timbúes audit, explained the value of conducting these inspections. “The Viterra CRM (Catastrophic Risk Management) assurance approach is often described as ‘an inch wide but a mile deep,’ as it emphasises addressing hazards that could have significant safety and business continuity impacts. Our assurance team deeply appreciated the time spent with the Renova team. This experience not only broadened our technical knowledge, allowing us to apply these valuable insights across our business, but also reinforced our shared commitment to the most important goal—ensuring that everyone returns home safely at the end of each day.”

Last month, Viterra US ran a period product drive in recognition of National Women’s Equality Day. In the #US, roughly a quarter of teenagers and a third of adults suffer from period poverty – the inability to afford menstrual supplies. Organised alongside Access Period, an Omaha-based NGO dedicated to combatting period poverty, the initiative raised awareness about the issue and collected materials to help those in local communities affected by it. In total, Viterra colleagues gathered over 8,000 menstrual products, which were then donated to Access Period to create three-month period product kits, which will be distributed among the organisation’s #community partners (including schools, health centres, access points, etc.) Reflecting on the initiative, Viterra US Marketing & Communications Manager Hanna Fuxa shared, “Even a small change (or drive in this instance) can have a lasting impact, whether it be raising awareness of menstrual inequality, or individuals receiving the kits, meaning they can fully participate in the daily activities many of us take for granted.” Having recently partnered with Access Period, we hope to continue supporting their fight against period poverty in the future. #theagriculturenetwork