Cargill has announced a comprehensive transformation of its global cocoa supply chain, implementing an integrated approach to sustainability that spans from cocoa origin countries in West Africa to processing hubs in Europe. The initiative combines renewable energy adoption, circular logistics systems, and smart infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions, eliminate waste, and boost operational efficiency.
The transformation represents what the company describes as sustainability at scale, with measurable outcomes across multiple stages of the cocoa value chain. The initiative supports Cargill’s broader climate commitments, including a target to reduce supply chain emissions by 30% per ton of product by 2030 and operational emissions by 10% by 2025.
Circular waste systems drive efficiency at origin
In West Africa, Cargill has implemented circular waste management systems that transform previously discarded materials into energy sources. In Côte d’Ivoire, cocoa shells that were once discarded are now used to fuel biomass boilers, creating a closed-loop system that reduces waste while generating renewable energy for production processes.
Ghana’s operations feature a solar plant that powers production facilities in Tema, demonstrating the company’s commitment to renewable energy adoption at origin. Additionally, new ISO tanks are replacing disposable packaging throughout the region, providing opportunities to reduce waste by up to 100 metric tons each month.
“Sustainability isn’t a single project at Cargill—it’s how we operate,” said Emiel van Dijk, Managing Director of Cocoa & Chocolate Europe and West Africa. “From circular waste reuse to renewable transport and clean energy, we’re showing that climate action can scale, without compromise.”
Electric transport and renewable energy in European operations
Once cocoa beans and semi-finished products arrive in Europe, they enter what Cargill describes as a fully integrated logistics network designed for minimal environmental impact. Beans are stored in solar-powered warehouses near Amsterdam, Netherlands, before being transported to the company’s factory in Zaandam via the world’s first fully electric barges.
This electric barge transportation system eliminates 190,000 kilograms of CO₂ emissions annually compared to traditional transport methods. The electricity powering these vessels, along with Cargill’s Dutch facilities, comes from Windpark Hanze, a renewable energy partnership with Vattenfall that provides clean power for the company’s European operations.
After processing in Zaandam, cocoa shells are repurposed once again as fuel for Cargill’s new biomass boiler in Amsterdam. This facility is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 19,000 tons annually through the conversion of waste materials into renewable energy.
Combined with the wind farm partnership, the total CO₂ emissions reduction reaches 31,000 tons per year, representing a reduction of site CO₂ emissions of up to 90%. This substantial reduction demonstrates the cumulative impact of integrating multiple sustainability technologies across the supply chain.
Advanced logistics and last-mile solutions
The final stages of Cargill’s sustainable cocoa supply chain feature advanced logistics solutions designed to minimize environmental impact. Semi-finished cocoa products are transported to Wormer, home to what the company describes as the world’s largest cocoa processing site, using BIO LNG trucks that reduce emissions compared to conventional diesel transport.
Finished cocoa powder is stored at a next-generation warehouse in Zaandam, operated in partnership with Green Valley Cocoa Logistics. The facility incorporates solar panels, automated vehicles, and intermodal rail and barge connections to reduce last-mile environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency.
The integrated approach extends to the final delivery of products to chocolate manufacturers. Cargill’s semi-finished cocoa products are delivered to its own chocolate processing sites and customers across Europe using renewable fuels and short sea shipping, supporting the company’s 30% supply chain emissions reduction target.
Cargill: Industry leadership and global impact
As a leader in cocoa processing and supply chain management, Cargill’s comprehensive approach to sustainability transformation demonstrates the potential for large-scale environmental improvements across complex global supply chains. The company’s 160,000 team members operate across 159 years of experience as a family company, positioning the organization to implement long-term sustainability strategies.
“This is what sustainability at scale looks like,” van Dijk concluded. “It’s measurable, circular, and designed to serve both people and the planet.”
The integrated sustainability investments represent Cargill’s commitment to building what the company describes as a more resilient, responsible global food system while maintaining its role as a provider of food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products essential for global markets.
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