Navigating Independence and Sustainability: Insights from Nexira’s Managing Director of Nexira
In the dynamic world of global commerce, companies often find themselves at a crossroads, balancing the pursuit of independence with the imperative to remain profitable. Recently, Mathieu Dondain, Managing Director and Vice President of Nexira, shared his invaluable insights on this balance in a webinar that delved into the core values and strategies driving Nexira’s success.
Reintroducing Nexira: A Beacon of Innovation in Sourcing Herbs
Nexira stands as a world leader in natural and organic ingredients, boasting a rich history of over 125 years in the industry. Renowned for its commitment to quality, reliability, and passion for the supply of natural ingredients, Nexira has become synonymous with excellence in the field.
A recurring theme throughout the webinar was Nexira’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. The company has been deeply involved in sustainable development since the early 1970s, focusing on environmental protection, social development of local populations, and economic growth in regions from which their ingredients are sourced. Nexira’s sustainable development approach aligns with four United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Mathieu Dondain stressed the imperative of integrating sustainability into every facet of Nexira’s operations. “Make it as sustainable as possible,” he suggested, underscoring the company’s dedication to meeting sustainability standards. As consumers increasingly expect the food and beverage and supplement industries to take a leading role in addressing climate change, this commitment to sustainability becomes paramount.
A key example of Nexira’s commitment to sustainability is its partnership with NGO SOS Sahel in the Acacia Program. This program has significantly impacted Chad, where harvesting acacia gum is a crucial activity. This program, which has been in place since 2009, focuses on the protection of the acacia resource, conservation of gum trees, and improvement of life conditions and social promotion for local populations. It has led to significant achievements, including the reforestation of 10,900 hectares, the planting of 2,150,000 acacia trees, and the involvement of 28,000 producers. The program not only supports the sustainable management of local resources but also empowers women in the sector and promotes the use of regenerative natural agriculture methods. This initiative is a clear reflection of Nexira’s commitment to going beyond traditional sustainability efforts, actively contributing to the preservation of natural resources and the well-being of communities involved in their supply chain.
Nexira now launches the phase 3 of the Acacia program. This initiative complements phases 1 and 2 of the Acacia Program and supports rural communities engaged in gum acacia production. It focuses on strengthening the gum acacia sector with more producers involved, a particular benefit for women, and a greater surface of responsible forest management.
Learn more about the key objectives, download our new report:
Low Carbon Strategy
At the same time, Nexira is making significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint. “As the world leader in acacia, we have a corporate responsibility. We must look to the future and carry strong values, which have meaning, and which correspond to us. Global warming is a significant and immediate challenge. With inavea™ caring by nature project, Nexira is committed to contribute to collective carbon neutrality, which is certainly an ambitious project from an environmental point of view, but also an economic one! It embodies all the actions we have been carrying out for a long time.”, said Mathieu Dondain.
Nexira has implemented a comprehensive strategy to measure and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions across all levels of the company. This includes investing in less emitting technologies, working with suppliers on less emissive transport solutions, and launching inavea™, the first carbon-neutral ingredients brand.
These efforts have resulted in a 9% reduction in Nexira’s carbon footprint per ton of finished product between 2019 and 2022.
Long-Term Strategies and Ethical Profitability
Discussing long-term strategies, Mathieu Dondain outlined the importance of a sustainable model and sustainable development programs. He emphasized that Nexira’s focus is on building a robust foundation for enduring success. The concept of ethical profitability also took center stage, with a clear directive to be profitable but not profit-driven. This underscores Nexira’s commitment to conducting business ethically, prioritizing values over mere financial gains.
“Our goal is to be independent while remaining profitable,” emphasized Mathieu Dondain, encapsulating the essence of the company’s commitment to long-term success. He stressed the critical importance of maintaining independence to steer the company’s business model, a principle that has been foundational to Nexira’s growth and resilience. Additionally, Mathieu Dondain underlined the significance of transparency and reliability in all business dealings. “Sell what you claim and claim what you sell,” he reiterated, emphasizing the importance of authenticity guiding our interactions with clients, partners, and the industry at large.
Strategic Approaches: Diversification, Agility, and Traceability
The webinar also shed light on key strategic approaches essential for success. Mathieu Dondain stressed the need for diversification – both in product offerings and market exploration – to mitigate risk and seize growth opportunities. Agility, in the face of a rapidly evolving market, emerged as another crucial factor, prompting Nexira to embrace innovation in ways of working and leveraging new projects.
A prime example of our commitment to diversification is the recent launch of the POW(D)ER from Mother Nature range. This product line represents a significant leap in the natural ingredients sector, offering a collection of 30 natural sensory ingredients that align with the evolving market trends towards clean, traceable, and nutrient-dense nutrition.
These ingredients, derived from fruits, flowers, leaves, seeds, and roots, are globally sourced and minimally processed to retain their close-to-nature essence. They enable the creation of products that are appealing to health-conscious consumers, offering a variety of flavors and colors that evoke the powerful forces of nature. Mathieu Dondain states this range is a testament to Nexira’s commitment to innovation, providing formulators with the tools to create attractive and nutritious foods and beverages that meet the demands of today’s market.
For those who missed the webinar or wish to revisit the insightful discussion, the replay is available here. below: https://vimeo.com/904315968?share=copy
Need more information?
This communication is not intended to the final consumer. It provides scientific information for professionals only. Communications to the final consumer have to be checked according to local regulations in force, since the conditions of use are beyond our control. This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
