International Relations & Governmental Affairs
We consider ourselves active players in the industries we operate in and seek collaboration with our peers to achieve joint progress and to advocate our common interests at a political and regulatory level. In this regard, trade associations offer a compliant way of sharing information and pooling knowledge within a sector. They help their members to convey their joint interests since they work at the intersection between politics, society and business.
In 2022, we established the dedicated function “Strategic Expansion, International Relations and Governmental Affairs” to represent our Group’s interests in the area of biofuels, animal by-products and animal fats through participation in trade associations and industry initiatives. This function is led at Executive Board level by Lars Krause-Kjær and headed by Dr Robert Figgener, an experienced professional who coordinates networking activities in selected organizations in order to advance our commercial activities in business and political environments, but also with regard to a wider society.
Through this new function, our Group is represented in the European Fat Processors and Renderers Association (EFPRA), the World Renderers Organization (WRO) and the North American Renderers Association (NARA). In addition, our business units are active in many other international associations. Bioiberica, for example, is a member of the European Biostimulants Industry Council (EBIC), while ecoMotion represents SARIA on the European Biodiesel Board (EBB). Van Hessen is a member of the European Natural Sausage Casings Association (ENSCA) and joined an ENSCA task force in 2022 that is dedicated to collaborating as an industry to enhance the sustainability of the business.
Dr. Robert Figgener leads our new "Strategic Expansion, International Relations and Governmental Affairs" function.
At Group Level, membership of EFPRA is of key importance for us, as this body represents a broad range of processors of animal by-products. As a company with international operations, we contribute directly to the work of EFPRA through multiple national associations. EFPRA’s purpose is to continually improve the safety, health and sustainability of European food production through efficient processing of animal-based raw materials into fats and proteins.
In terms of sustainability, EFPRA passed a Sustainability Charter for a Circular Bioeconomy in 2022 and we are proud to have contributed to the development of this important undertaking as an active member of the EFPRA Sustainability Committee. The charter is based on three decisive pillars – “Climate”, “Health” and “Society” – grounded in the circular bioeconomy model for utilisation of animal by-products (ABP) and edible co-products (ECP) from the animal-based food value chain. Its goal is to collaboratively help maximize the supply chain’s contribution to the EU and UN sustainability policies through best use of ABP and ECP and to help unlock the business opportunities along the way.
At SARIA, we are committed to all aims of this charter and the resulting obligations, as it perfectly matches our own overarching purpose: together towards a sustainable world and healthier living.
