Premium Impact Report
Premium Impact Report
We’re shaping the food of tomorrow – sustainably, responsibly and with foresight. Our ambition: to make the Premium Food Group one of Europe’s most sustainable food producers.
On Transformation
The Premium Food Group has its roots in meat production. Over time, the group has evolved step by step into an innovative 360-degree supplier, that combines contemporary and balanced nutrition with sustainability.
Pillars of Sustainability
Our sustainability efforts are based on three equally important pillars: decarbonisation, animal welfare and social responsibility.
Climate protection & resources
Our contribution to achieving the 1.5-degree target
Greenhouse gas emissions from own operations
for example, heating systems and electricity consumption
Other indirect greenhouse gas emissions
Emissions from agriculture
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
We already source 20% of the total energy requirements of our German sites from hydropower. Since 2025, our plants in Poland and the United Kingdom have even been sourcing 100% of their electricity from renewable sources.
Circular Economy & Waste Reduction
Resource-efficient production is fundamental to the Premium Food Group. That’s why we focus on whole-animal marketing, which utilises over 98% of the animal.
Feed Strategy
Deforestation-free soy and local soy alternatives, TONISO
Agriculture represents the key lever for emissions reduction at the Premium Food Group. Since January 2024, we have therefore been using certified deforestation- and conversion-free soy in animal feed, which contributes to a significant reduction in land use change emissions.
Find out which supply chain models QS Soja Plus accepts – and why – right here.
Deforestation-free Soy
Back in 2017, the Premium Food Group and its agricultural partners successfully achieved a drastic and widespread reduction in the use of soy in pig fattening through the TONISO feeding concept.
QS-Climate-Platform
To demonstrate how effectively agriculture is reducing emissions, we aim to collect primary data directly on farms in collaboration with our farmers. In 2023, the Premium Food Group developed a prototype for the “Climate-Platform Meat”. Through the certification company QS, this tool has now become an industry-wide solution.
Animal-Welfare &
Transparency
The Premium Food Group is firmly committed to significantly increasing the share of products from higher Animal-Welfare-Farming-Systems and continuously improving standards in animal husbandry.
Currently, 54% of the pigs delivered to us come from farming systems that go beyond legal requirements (welfare levels 2 to 4, including organic). The same applies to cattle – with more than half coming from higher Animal-Welfare-Systems.
Livestock logistics
smart, efficient, low-stress
The Premium Food Group takes a holistic approach to reducing CO₂-emissions – including in the area of logistics. A key element is animal-friendly transport planning, which primarily serves animal welfare but also actively contributes to climate protection.
By the end of the year, 80% of livestock logistics commissioned by the Premium Food Group will be GPS-tracked (currently 71%). Satellite-based tracking enables precise control of the supply chain.
Research and innovation
in livestock farming
Tönnies Forschung, a non-profit organisation, initiates and supports research projects and studies aimed at improving livestock farming – with a focus on animal welfare, climate protection, environmental and nature conservation, consumer protection, and healthy nutrition.
Each year, between 200.000 and 400.000 euros are invested in these efforts – totalling over 3.4 million euros to date.
People & Society
The Premium Food Group employs 21,000 people from more than 50 countries.
We regularly have our processes externally audited according to the SMETA 4-Pillar Standard, with a focus on working conditions, health, safety, the environment and business ethics. 72% of all global sites are SMETA 4-Pillar certified.
Outlook & further development
The Premium Food Group stands for future-oriented and valuable nutrition. This claim will continue to guide us in the future. As one of the largest food producers in Germany and Europe, we take our responsibility for the climate, the environment and society very seriously.