Our responsibility at Kölln
As a family-run business, we also take into account the long-term impact on people and the environment when making strategic decisions. For many years, we have been addressing issues such as the conservation of resources, collaborative partnerships and long-term business development.
Sustainability as an ongoing process
We view sustainability as an ongoing process that involves various areas of the organisation. An interdisciplinary sustainability team coordinates the relevant measures, working in collaboration with various specialist departments.
Our aim is to regularly review and further develop existing processes.
Climate
Corporate Carbon Footprint
We have been tracking our carbon footprint since 2018 and work annually to improve our data set. Since 2024, we have been tracking our carbon footprint in accordance with the requirements of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. This is a globally recognised standard for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions for businesses.
By accurately accounting for our greenhouse gas emissions, we can identify hotspots, systematically develop measures to reduce emissions and assess their effectiveness.
Systematic energy management
Using our ISO 50001-certified energy management system, which we have been using since 2014, we systematically record energy consumption at our site and identify potential savings.
100 % Green electricity
Since 2014, we have been sourcing electricity from renewable energy sources. This is underpinned by the relevant supply contracts and guarantees of origin. As a result, we have been able to reduce the reported CO₂ emissions from our electricity consumption at our Elmshorn site to zero.
Vehicle fleet
The use of electric vehicles forms part of our company car policy. All staff members who are entitled to a company car can choose between two electric models. In this way, we are gradually converting our vehicle fleet to alternative powertrains.
One exception to this is our field service team, which, due to infrastructure-related obstacles, does not currently drive any electric models.
Procurement of raw materials
The origin of our oats
We source around half of our oats from Germany. Of this, half comes from fixed contractual growing partnerships in northern Germany and half from the open market.* The remainder of our oats comes mainly from Finland.
*On average; exact quantities vary from year to year and depend on the harvest
Contract farming
Through long-term agreements with our contract farmers, we are able to guarantee stable quantities and fair prices, which provides planning security for both us and the farmers.
Our projects
Flower strips
Since 2020, we have been creating flower strips together with our contract farmers alongside the land cultivated for us. These can provide habitat for insect species.
Reforestation “Gut Panker”
In collaboration with our partner, the "Gut Panker" estate, a total of around 30,000 trees were planted in Schleswig-Holstein by 2024 (Schleswig-Holstein is the German federal state in which Elmshorn – home to Peter Kölln – is located). Forests can help to sequester CO₂ from the atmosphere, although the actual amount depends on various factors, such as tree species, location and age.
Our partnerships
Since 2013, we have been sourcing our cocoa-based ingredients from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. The certification aims to define and promote environmental and social criteria in the cultivation of cocoa.
You can find more information about the Rainforest Alliance Standard at www.koelln.com/pages/partnerships
Since 2013, we have been sourcing our palm oil from RSPO-certified plantations. The certification aims to define and promote environmental and social criteria in palm oil cultivation.
We use this certified palm oil in our Kölln® crunchy mueslis as well as in the palm oil-containing products of the Biskin® and Palmin® edible fat brands.
You can find more information about the RSPO standard at www.koelln.com/pages/partnerships
Social responsibility
As one of Schleswig-Holstein's largest employers, we value fair and mutually respectful collaboration. Trust, respect and team spirit are our top priorities.
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Secure jobs
We offer our employees secure jobs with competitive pay and a culture of open communication. Constructive feedback is not only welcome but actively encouraged.
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Promoting young talent
Our training programs in various commercial and industrial areas offer young talents diverse development opportunities. We are currently working on introducing a systematic development program for our employees.
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Health and well-being
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Social commitment
We maintain close educational partnerships with schools, volunteer in various organizations and support charitable institutions with regular donations.
