Sustainability | Environmental

Climate accounting and energy

Taking climate and environmental factors into account is an integral part of responsible business conduct. We work with a certified energy management system (DIN EN ISO 50001:2018), we have been procuring 100% renewable electricity for all our production facilities since 2025, and we operate efficient combined heat and power plants at our German production facilities. At the same time, we regularly develop further measures aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing emissions in order to achieve our climate targets.

Since 2020, we have been measuring and reporting our greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the GHG Protocol as part of the KRÜGER GROUP’s Group-wide greenhouse gas accounting. We measure and report Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and we have also been measuring and reporting Scope 3 emissions since 2022. Our goal is to reduce our Group-wide reported Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions to net zero by 2040. Scope 3 emissions are measured and reported, but they are not currently included in this net-zero target. The submission of the KRÜGER GROUP’s climate targets for validation by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)* is scheduled for 2026; to date, no validation has been carried out by the SBTi.

* Science Based Targets initiative = An initiative that helps companies set and validate science-based emissions reduction targets in line with the Paris Agreement (1.5°C). Further information at  sciencebasedtargets.org.

We assess our packaging solutions in line with the principles of optimization, reduction, and recyclability.

Packaging

On an ongoing basis, we review whether and how we can reduce packaging material and improve the recyclability of packaging—to the extent that this is technically and qualitatively possible and in line with applicable regulations.

Raw materials and supply chains

For selected raw materials, we use recognized certification standards. In addition, we participate in relevant industry initiatives.

  • 64% of the cocoa we purchased (2025; mass balance*) comes from Rainforest Alliance Certified and Fairtrade-certified supply chains.

    • 75% of the certified cocoa volume comes from Rainforest Alliance Certified supply chains. Rainforest Alliance certification includes requirements with respect to the environment, labor and human rights, and traceability in supply chains. More information is available at: www.ra.org
    • 25% of the certified cocoa volume comes from Fairtrade-certified supply chains. The Fairtrade standards are based on the three pillars of fair trade, which encompass social, ecological, and economic criteria. More information is available at: www.fairtrade.net
  • Ludwig Schokolade is a founding member of the Forum Nachhaltiger Kakao e. V. (German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa), which focuses on challenges in the cocoa industry. More information is available at: www.kakaoforum.de
  • The company is also a member of the Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI) and participates in exchange on environmental and social criteria in the cocoa sector. More information is available at: www.bdsi.de/
  • The entire company only sources palm oil categorized as “segregated” in accordance with the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) standard. “Segregated” refers to palm oil from various certified sources that is kept separate from conventional, non-certified palm oil throughout the entire supply chain. More information is available at: www.rspo.org

* The mass balance method allows certified and noncertified raw materials to be mixed throughout the supply chain. It ensures that the amount of certified raw materials used corresponds to the amount purchased.

* Bei der Massenbilanz können zertifizierte und nicht zertifizierte Rohstoffe entlang der Lieferkette gemischt werden. Dabei wird sichergestellt, dass die eingesetzte Menge an zertifizierten Rohstoffen der eingekauften Menge entspricht.

Plant-based alternatives

There is growing demand for plant-based alternatives and products without ingredients sourced from animals. Ludwig Schokolade caters to this demand with vegetarian and vegan products.

2025 Sustainability Report

You can download the latest KRÜGER GROUP Sustainability Report (2025) here.

2025 Sustainability Report (PDF)