We are committed not only to producing delicious cheese specialities, but also to ensuring a sustainable future for our community and the environment.
As a fourth-generation family business, our commitment to sustainability is as rich as the flavour of our cheese specialities. Our explicit goal is to reconcile environmental and economic matters and to make a positive contribution to the regions in which we operate.
Climate, environment and resource protection
With sites in Europe and Asia, Rupp produces close to its customers. In doing so, we have environmentally friendly and energy-efficient production processes. We use resources sparingly, avoid waste as far as possible and are constantly optimising our packaging.
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Examples of implementation
- An externally audited environmental and energy management system covers 80 per cent of our global production volume.
- 80 per cent of our products are already manufactured using electricity from renewable sources.
- Here, you can find our Scope 1–3 corporate carbon footprint and our climate strategy.
- Our development and production departments are driving forward a wide range of cheese specialities with reduced environmental impact: cheese from hay-fed milk, vegan products and plant-based cheese.
- We are continuously upgrading our packaging to improve its recyclability.
Raw materials and value chain
The quality of the raw materials we use is a top priority for Rupp, and sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in our quality criteria. In accordance with our Code of Conduct, compliance with labour standards and protection of the environment are fundamental to sustainable working practices and business operations. We also require our suppliers and business partners to meet these standards.
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Examples of implementation
- Milk-based raw materials sourced from European producers
- Use of sustainable raw materials, such as certified palm oil
- Commitment to complying with labour standards in accordance with ETI (Ethical Trading Initiative) Base Code
- Rupp is a member of Sedex, an initiative promoting decent working conditions and environmental protection within its own operations and throughout its supply chain.
Conservation of the cultural landscape and biodiversity
Cheese-making is a centuries-old craft in our region of origin, Vorarlberg. ”Three-stage farming”, which is recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, remains a traditional form of land management in the Bregenz Forest Region to this day. The regular management of Alpine meadows protects biodiversity by preventing the encroachment of scrub on mountain slopes and on nutrient-poor and wet meadows. A wide variety of grasses and herb species thrive in this cultural landscape.
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Examples of implementation
- The Alma brand features milk from over 50 mountain dairies in Vorarlberg.
- Three-stage farming requires purchasing only very little supplementary feed – this helps the environment and fosters species-rich vegetation .
- We are certified as a traditional specialty guaranteed (TSG) company for hay-fed milk.
Commitment to our employees
Rupp provides a working environment where people feel at home and can flourish. The company is characterised by modern technology, a sense of responsibility, a family-like environment with flat hierarchies, and cultural openness. Our employees are encouraged to play an active role in shaping the future of the company and to contribute and implement their own ideas.
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Examples of implementation
- An innovative and successful family-run business with international locations
- Diversity and openness in practice
- Flexible, family-friendly working arrangements
- Subsidised public transport pass and infrastructure for e-mobility
- A wide range of development and training opportunities
- Our largest production sites are SMETA-audited.
- Read more at https://www.ruppcheese.at/arbeitenbeirupp/
Local community engagement
Thanks to our production and distribution sites in Europe and Asia, we are able to serve our customers directly in their respective markets. At Rupp, we are committed to making a positive contribution to the communities where we operate and to the lives of our employees. We share updates on our ongoing activities via our social media channels.
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Examples of implementation
- We support local organisations and initiatives that offer social, cultural and/or environmental benefits.
- We combine team events with a ‘good cause’ and/or raising awareness of a social or environmental issue.
- We support our employees’ social engagement.
MILESTONES
2024
Double Materiality Assessment,
Scope 1 & 2 Corporate Carbon Footprint
2025
Scope 1-3 Corporate Carbon Footprint,
Climate Strategy
2026
Science Based Targets Commitment,
Sustainability Strategy
2027 – 2028
Further Developments Data Management & Reporting
“We value and cherish our roots. Preserving the art of cheese-making whilst remaining open to new ideas enables us to keep developing further”.
Tarek En-Nazer