ZOUTMAN Sustainability report

Sustainability Report 2025

With our sustainability strategy ‘Clean Salt, Clear Goals’, we are working towards a world in which mined salt makes way for the more ecological sea salt. We embed that ambition in every link of our operations, from purchasing raw sea salt to delivery to the customer. Our Sustainability Report 2025 shows where we stand today and where we want to go.

Clean Salt, Clear Goals

Our strategy is built on a double materiality analysis. Together with colleagues, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders, we identified the topics that truly make a difference for ZOUTMAN. This resulted in nine material topics, grouped into three pillars. For each pillar, we set concrete targets. These are the key ones.

Environment

Climate-conscious production, logistics and packaging

−20%Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, compared to 2021
−5%Scope 3 emissions by 2030, compared to 2021
−50%tap water consumption by 2030
100%recyclable packaging by 2030

Social

Engagement, a safe workplace, learning and growth

0accidents on our sites by 2030
40 hof training per employee per year by 2030
100%of our employees complete safety training every year by 2030
≥ 65Employee Net Promoter Score ambition

Governance

Product transparency, ethical business and digitalisation

GoldEcoVadis medal by 2030
100%of our critical suppliers sign our code of conduct by 2026
BRC & IFSmaintaining the highest quality scores
2027connected process organisation: all departments digitally connected, for smoother collaboration, fewer unnecessary steps and better data flows

Our CO₂ reduction pathway

We want to keep growing while reducing our emissions. Together with an external partner, we drew up a concrete carbon reduction plan, with interim targets towards 2030 and a clear end point.

2021

Base year

Starting point of our CO₂ reduction plan

2024

Start of modal shift: more transport by inland waterway and rail

2027

Wind turbine at our Ghent site, less gas for drying salt and a switch to green electricity

2030

−20%Scope 1 & 2−5%Scope 3

compared to 2021

2030-2047

Green hydrogen, electric trucks and biofuels

2047

Net zero

Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions

Scope 1 & 2: our own emissions and purchased energy. Scope 3: emissions in our value chain, such as transport, raw materials and packaging.

Download our Sustainability Report 2025

See how far we have come on each of our targets.

In the report, you will discover, among other things:

An interview with CEO Bert Lamote on staying the course in a changing regulatory landscape
Our double materiality analysis and the nine topics that emerged from it
Our roadmap to 2030, with concrete targets for each pillar
The results of the past financial year, prepared in line with the VSME standard

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Why sea salt?

We choose sea salt because its production emits 30 times less CO₂ than mined salt. In addition, sea salt is an inexhaustible and renewable raw material.

Go Ocean

ZOUTMAN and sea salt are inseparably linked to the sea. Because it provides our main raw material, we also want to give something back. That is why, since 2025, we support Go Ocean and contribute to the restoration of oyster reefs in the Belgian North Sea. With 65 oyster batches, we help improve water quality and create new habitats for marine life — a tangible investment in the sea we depend on every day.

Learn more about our commitment to Go Ocean

Committed to our community

Our responsibility does not stop at the gates of our sites. As a family business, we feel connected to the people and the region around us. That is why we support local sports clubs such as Knack Volley Roeselare and young talents such as windsurfer Sol Degrieck. It is our way of contributing to a strong, active community.

Photo Sol Degrieck: @jcwindsurf