WE ARE COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY

Climate

With the aim of taking another step in the direction of climate protection, we have signed on to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In doing so, we are committed to short-term, company-wide emission reductions, in line with climate science.

Energy

We continually strive to improve our energy efficiency. Our energy management system is certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001 since 2014. We are also able to produce a certain amount of the energy we need ourselves, with the use of photovoltaic systems, for example.

Green electricity

In 2025, we switched our electricity supply to 100% renewable energy. This reduces our Scope 2 emissions by 98% (equivalent to 5,880 tons of CO₂e compared to 2024).

Wastewater

In 2020, we decided to treat our wastewater anaerobically, which is an efficient and sustainable solution that takes the strain off our local sewage treatment plant. The treatment process also produces methane gas, which is fed into the heating system on our sites.

Vehicle fleet

Since 2021, we have been increasingly switching our company cars to electric vehicles.

Packaging

Our products are packaged in plastic and there’s a good reason for this. We continuously strive to reduce our consumption of plastic, increase the amount of recycled material we use, improve our recycling capabilities and develop alternatives.

Animal welfare

We are proud to be able to offer our customers products containing sustainably produced raw materials, including MSC-ASC, KAT, Bio (organic) and QS/ITW.

Our certificates

Food waste

To reduce food waste, we donate a large proportion of our goods with a reduced shelf life (less than seven days) to two local food banks that support socially and economically disadvantaged people: the Tafel in Paderborn and the Brot & Mehr charity in Hövelhof.

The Tafel food bank in Paderborn distributes the goods to local people in need, either for free or at a very low cost. Brot & Mehr, organized by the Kolping Society in Hövelhof, provides the food directly to the needy in Hövelhof. Today, the charity provides 63 households with supplies on a regular basis.

We always divide our donated products fairly between these two charities, depending on the storage capacity of each organization.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is a term used to refer to ecological diversity – in other words, the wide variety of animals, plants and microorganisms and their habitats. It is also plays a key role in terms of the manufacturing of our delicatessen products. Without bees and other insects, many kinds of fruit and vegetables would cease to exist. Diverse plants and soil organisms ensure fertile soils, which is the base for good food. Diversity protects against crop failure – e.g caused by pests or extreme weather conditions. This is also important for both the farming and manufacturing industries. Biodiverse meadows and forests store CO₂ and help protect the climate.

To support biodiversity, we have planted 1,000 m² of new flowering meadows  that provide local insects such as wild bees, butterflies and beetles with food and a habitat. In addition, we have installed an insect hotel near one of our wildflower meadows, providing wild bees and other beneficial insects with a protected shelter. This is not just beneficial for nature – it is also our contibution to healthier, more sustainable food manufacturing. Biodiversity secures our sources of food, protects the environment and starts right on our doorstep.

Management

The commercial success of our company can be easily measured in the 113 years of our existence. There have been many changes since Heinrich Kühlmann first opened his farm shop in East Westphalia in 1912. Over 100 years later and still family-run, Heinrich Kühlmann GmbH is one of Germany’s leading producers of delicatessen foods. More than 1,500 employees are committed to ensuring the highest quality of our products. We produce over one million portions of delicatessen products every day. And that’s something we’re proud of!

Quality

We deliver nothing but the best quality. Our passion for what we do, combined with state-of-the-art technology, ensures that we meet the highest standards of quality and product safety.

Our quality management system has been certified by the IFS Food Standard for over 20 years.

Our certificates

Donations to the Welthungerhilfe charity

We support the “Nutrition Smart Communities” project in the Mangochi district of Malawi with donations. The aim of these communities is to improve the long-term nutritional situation of people suffering from acute and chronic malnutrition. Among other things, the project focuses on combating malnutrition in children under the age of 5.

The local people in Malawi are supported and trained primarily in the areas of nutrition, sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, health, and hygiene. 

This is a valuable contribution to healthy nutrition and gives many children and adults new prospects for the future.

Employees

We always insist on quality. Not only in terms of our products, but also – and most importantly – when it comes to our employees. Our dedication to quality is expressed in terms of building appreciative, compassionate relationships with our employees, and supporting the personal development of each member of the ‘Kühlmann family’.

Siegel Attraktiver Arbeitgeber

This year, we were awarded the Attractive Employer seal.

Sponsoring

We support our community by providing ongoing support for several local sports and cultural organizations, as well as for the local volunteer fire company.

Green electricity

We continue to operate on 100% renewable electricity and are securing this level for the long term.

Efficiency

We are continuously improving energy efficiency and sustainably reducing energy consumption (-0.5% in 2026 compared to 2025 = Index: 430 kWh/ton in 2025 > Target: 428 kWh/ton in 2026)

Electric mobility

In 2026, we will expand our fleet with electric trucks, thereby sustainably reducing CO₂ emissions from transportation (avoiding approximately 130 metric tons of CO₂e per year).

Packaging

We are steadily reducing the use of plastic in our packaging and continuously optimizing it to conserve resources. (Reduction of plastic use by approximately 190 metric tons through optimizations by 2026, which corresponds to approximately 4% of our annual plastic consumption)

Living environment

We maintain and care for the flower strips we have created in a sustainable manner and are constantly working to improve the habitat.

Quality

We consistently maintain a very low complaint rate and ensure that our quality standards remain stable (complaint rate below 0.007%, as in the previous year)

Employees

We are continuously improving employee satisfaction and working toward achieving a high level of satisfaction in the long term (goal: 4 out of 5 stars by 2027, compared to 2022)