One big challenge in increasing the production of dietary fats, if not managed properly, is the impact this can have on the environment. The production of fats and oils from animals and plants already accounts for 7 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing the production of animal fat is not a solution, as livestock are a well-known contributor to global warming. Increasing the production of oil crops is also complicated. In some areas of the world, it has led to deforestation. In addition, there is already competition for oil crops as they are not only used for food but also in increasing demand for producing biofuels.

“If we want a sustainable solution, we need a holistic approach,” says Johan Westman, CEO of AAK, a specialist in plant-based oils and fats. “With technologies such as solar power, we could redirect plant oils currently used for biofuels toward nutrition by 2050.” By including these, as well as increasing yields from existing plantations and maintaining the present level of animal fats, Westman believes we could meet the global need for fats and oils with no further deforestation.

Westman, a visionary leader who joined AAK in 2018, has contributed to the transformation of the company from a more traditional plant-based oil manufacturer into an innovative ingredients leader with a strong focus on sustainability, while also improving the financials of the company.

“You need to focus if you want to succeed,” he says. “You can’t do everything at once.” That’s why AAK has committed to the ambitious goal of transitioning to 100 percent deforestation-free palm oil by 2025. Their share has increased from 20 percent in 2019 to 91 percent today, and the commitment is driving the business, too. “This dedication to sustainability has not only won us the trust of our customers, but also boosted employee engagement. My colleagues are really proud to work for AAK, making it easier to retain and attract talent.”

When talking about the need for a holistic approach, Westman also highlights the importance of considering the impact of switching from one fat or oil source to another. Although the palm oil industry has faced – and continues to face – criticism for its role in deforestation, simply replacing palm oil with another type of oil crop is not necessarily the right solution.

This is because palm oil is in fact a very efficient crop, producing more oil per land area than any other equivalent vegetable oil crop. According to the nature and environmental protection organization the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), palm oil supplies 40 percent of the world’s vegetable oil demand globally on just under 6 percent of the land used to produce all vegetable oils. To get the same amount from alternatives, such as soybean, coconut, or sunflower oil, would require four to 10 times more land. The WWF argues on their website that this would merely shift the problem to different regions instead.

A good example of this is Bühler’s collaboration with AAK in the chocolate production area, where a growing shortage of cocoa and rising cocoa butter prices have created challenges for the industry. Since Bühler itself only has a marginal presence in the oil sector, it relies on partnerships with forward-looking companies like AAK to provide the best possible solutions for its customers. AAK offers Bühler’s customers promising approaches for replacing cocoa butter with plant-based oils and fats, always with a focus on the full picture.

“If we want to achieve the transformation toward a sustainable food system, we must provide solutions that are tasty, nutritious, sustainable, and affordable,” says Westman.

AAK and Bühler are united by a shared commitment to innovation and collaboration, continually expanding their networks to drive progress. In autumn 2024, both companies participated in launching the Next Generation Pet Food Program pilot, an initiative driven by Big Idea Ventures – a global leader in food-tech, agri-tech, and materials science investment – with Mars Petcare. This pilot was established to foster innovation in pet food and to engage with the start-up ecosystem in developing more sustainable solutions.
 

The program sought start-ups working on sustainable proteins and fats that support pathways to reducing carbon emissions in pet food production. This included novel ingredients and cutting-edge processing technologies, such as upcycling food waste and advanced extraction methods. In this initiative, Bühler and AAK took on mentorship roles.

Both companies are also members of MISTA, a global innovation platform designed to accelerate the transformation of the food system to meet future needs. “We have joined both the Pet Food Program and MISTA to form partnerships and accelerate innovation. This has already produced remarkable results, such as showcasing breakthrough technologies and facilitating the creation of more sustainable foods in collaboration with consumer goods companies, ingredient suppliers, equipment providers, and start-ups – the new thinkers of our industry,” says Westman. “To sustainably feed the world’s population by 2050, we need to broaden our collaborations even further, reaching across industries and sectors.”