Good environmental management practices are a relevant aspect for companies in the food industry.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, food production is a key part of development, since it is the source of basic foodstuffs for the consumption of its population. The growth of the food industry needs to be promoted under a vision of sustainable development, which leads to the implementation of strategies aimed towards efficient and responsible use of natural resources.
As part of this commitment, CMI Foods, one of Corporación Multi Inversiones (CMI) business groups, implements sustainable development practices in its different business units. An example of this is its operation in El Salvador, where it has implemented solar panel systems in poultry farms and food plants to improve energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.
The energy generated by the panels represents around 70% of the total energy consumed in its facilities. This made it possible to reduce the emission of 575 tons of carbon dioxide in 2021. By 2022, it is projected to reduce emissions by 887 tons.
Another success story is the Flour Plant in Costa Rica, which in 2021 received the “Green Award” granted by the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), in recognition of the use of renewable energy for companies operating in the country that use energy from the National Electric System in their processes. During 2020, the plant drew more than 98.71% of its electricity from renewable sources.
Diario El Mundo highlights that this has been thanks to the joint work of CMI’s two groups: CMI Foods and CMI Capital. The latter is one of the largest renewable energy generators in the region in terms of hydroelectric, wind and solar energy, with an installed capacity of 813 MW. Thanks to its expertise in renewable energy sources, it accompanies CMI Food’s Continuous Improvement projects in energy efficiency and CO2 emissions reduction, among others.
CMI is a corporation that has grown 2.9 times in size over the last decade. “And that’s because we have put people in place to look to the future,” said Juan José Gutiérrez, Chairman and CEO of CMI Alimentos in an interview with Estrategia & Negocios magazine.
Based on its business and sustainability strategies, CMI Alimentos has a plan to grow between 50% and 60% in 4 to 5 years. In this way, Corporación Multi Inversiones strengthens its commitment to sustainability and acts immediately and decisively for the benefit of the planet and people.