Synerlogic’s sustainable path

Synerlogic is a supplier of ingredients and chemicals for the food industry and industrial cleaning. Synerlogic trades, produces, (re)packages and distributes for customers in Europe. Together with customers, Synerlogic works on sustainable products, production, packaging and distribution solutions of the future, in order to deliver the right solutions where it is needed and when it is needed.

The full interview has been published in Het Ondernemersbelang

Synerlogic DNA with the D of durable

We undertake many of our sustainable initiatives because we find it intrinsically important,” says Greke Janssen. “We are a down-to-earth company and like tot stay humble . She considers it a challenge, to make the sustainable activities of Synerlogic more visible. “Sustainability is in the DNA of this company. With each other, for each other. For us, doing it together also means doing it with our customers and suppliers.” Teroeska Boterkooper joined Synerlogic in a new role as business development manager in January this year and works together with Greke Janssen on the existing portfolio and development or further specialize in our current portfolio. Together they are also in the team that has sustainability in its portfolio. “From minute one I have been involved in the ‘future proof’ project in which, by also talking a lot with customers, we have identified what is important in the rapidly changing world we live in. ”Sustainability in the chain turned out to be a very important topic, which makes it important for us to work more sustainably towards the future.” Trained as a food technologist, she has always worked at the interface of technology and commerce first in industry, the last ten years at a contract research organisation. “We need economic effectiveness to be able to invest in sustainability.”

Synerlogic heeft twee hoofdactiviteiten

A commercially focused organisation where unburdening the customer in the food industry through production, trading and distribution is central. This activity focuses on enabling sustainable, high-quality and safe food together with our customers”, outlines Greke Janssen. “The second activity is more focused around our factory and warehouse. We use these for production and supply chain activities for third parties. We thus offer flexible capacity, for example for companies that want to produce regionally or that can use extra capacity.” Apart from the commercial advantages for both Synerlogic and the customer, it is also very sustainable. Because at Synerlogic you will find purchasing, production and warehouse under one roof, which not only reduces transport movements but also waste between links. For (foreign) customers, local production means saving time and CO₂. “Many people will have misgivings about chemistry and sustainability, but you can also do a lot about sustainability in the field of chemistry,” Teroeska Boterkooper knows. “We buy green energy, we have LED lighting, but also think about limiting CO₂ emissions and saving water. For example, we have replaced a large part of our trucks and they run on the more sustainable Euro-6 diesel”, adds Greke Janssen.

Attention to colleague vitality

When you talk about sustainability, many people almost immediately think about the environment or energy. At Synerlogic we think about the social aspect as well”, says Teroeska Boterkooper. “At Synerlogic you are really appreciated and heard. For example, we look at whether our colleagues are in their right place and feel comfortable enough to develop. It is certainly not inconceivable that someone is better suited in another department or even outside Synerlogic. We believe it is important to take a realistic perspective when it comes to our people.” In addition to this policy on sustainable employability, Synerlogic tries to raise awareness as well among employees. “In internal communication we regularly talk about sustainability to create awareness among our colleagues and to ask them to make a personal contribution,” says Greke Janssen. Since she started working at Synerlogic, she cycles to the office everyday by bike. That cuts both ways. On the one hand, she saves on car miles and, on the other, it contributes to vitality. Very sustainable as well. “We encourage our colleagues to do the same.

Working future proof on our sustainability goals. It is time to bring the different sustainability activities together. “Teroeska and I are part of our internal Future Proof team. Regarding sustainability, we are concerned with both developing the portfolio and making visible what we are already doing in the area of sustainability,” explains Greke Janssen. “Sustainability lies at the core of our business practices and we want to make this part of the strategy.” A master trainee in Corporate Sustainability advised them to use Global Reporting Initiative in the field of sustainability. The GRI brings about a uniform way of working, which can also be used in the chain in which we operate. “There are 37 indicators in total in the GRI that you can choose from,” clarifies Teroeska Boterkooper. “You cannot focus on all 37. For example, our client FrieslandCampina also uses the GRI. They have already indicated which indicators they use, and even which five are really primary, which secondary and also which tertiary. Examples of indicators are: CO₂ emissions, energy consumption, innovation, water consumption, supply chain management, attractive employer for the social aspect, high-quality food, local involvement. They are very many facets. Innovation is also one of them; that, of course, appeals to me enormously

Groen Gedaan!

If several companies in the chain start working with the GRI methodology, Synerlogic can coordinate which indicators are of joint interest. Teroeska Boterkooper: “Pieter Janssen studies Corporate Sustainability and with him we integrate all separate initiatives of ourselves and of the chain partners. This allows us to work together in the chain, from supplier to producer and from distributor to customer. A uniform way, gives us the opportunity to realise more impact together and make it measurable.” Since the end of 2019, Synerlogic has been a member of the Liemerse Alliantie, a local initiative that aims to future-proof existing companies. “We are members of the Liemerse Alliantie and have attended workshops and meetings of this. We find this cooperation important in relation to the CO₂ performance ladder and it focuses on energy saving measures in the region.” Synerlogic’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. “We have received recognition for our work. Stichting Duurzaam tested us and we successfully passed. As a result, we have received the GroenGedaan! quality mark,” says Greke Janssen.