Glanbia and Diageo are cream of the crop with sustainability award

Glanbia Ingredients Ireland and Diageo’s ‘sustainable cream initiative’ has won first prize for ‘Best Business to Business Partnership’ at the Responsible Business Awards ceremony in London.

The companies worked together to develop the programme that contributed to a significant reduction in the environmental footprint of their industry.

Glanbia Ingredients CEO Jim Bergin, said: “The success of the initiative has demonstrated that an uncompromising focus on sustainability can have long-term commercial benefits.”

More than 400 European companies entered the awards, of which there were 91 finalists shortlisted and 13 overall category winners. The two companies were recognised for jointly creating a benchmark sustainability programme, for their process chain from the fresh milk supplied by Glanbia’s farmers, through to the final product — Baileys Irish Cream liqueur.

Glanbia Ingredients is the sole supplier of cream to Baileys — a partnership which is in existence since 1974.

Luis Rangel, global head of commodities and raw materials for Diageo, said: “It is a great honour to be recognised for our outstanding B2B relationship with Glanbia.

“It is important our business partners share our values with respect to sustainability, responsible sourcing and ethical business practices. Glanbia has been an outstanding example for everything this award represents.”