Dossche Mills launches ‘Terah’ and commits to 50% less CO2 by 2030

Turning sustainable wheat yields into profit for everyone

26% of global emissions comes from food production.

And according to the figures from 'Our World in Data', 40% of that 26% is linked to the cultivation of crops. As a prominent player in Europe, Dossche Mills takes the responsibility to map and mitigate CO2 emissions in the chain. Dossche Mills answers uncertainty with sustainability, as extended periods of drought and heavy rainfall jeopardize yields – and therefore deliveries. So, it is not surprising that the demand for ‘sustainable wheat’ is growing among food producers; also, because binding emission reduction targets, imposed by Europe, spur these entrepreneurs to take action.

“At Dossche Mills, we are committed to the quality of our products and the success of our customers. We believe in the versatility and sustainability of wheat as a basic ingredient. We also want to contribute to the well-being of society and the environment in the long term.” — CEO Kristof Dossche

50% CO2 reduction on wheat cultivation by 2030, that is the goal.

In the food chain 'from farm to fork', Dossche Mills focuses on the cultivation of wheat, which is by far the largest source of greenhouse gasses according to data. The Dossche Mills family business has guaranteed high-quality wheat products for 150 years, but clearly continues to look forward. 50% reduction by 2030, that's what Dossche Mills is committed to. Furthermore, Dossche Mills applies the recent measurements from 2022 as a reference and not old – outdated – figures that would need less effort. With this sincere dedication Dossche Mills wants to achieve effective impact.

“We expand our own expertise in turning the wheat chain more sustainable with practical knowledge from various partners. To stimulate this fruitful interaction, we are establishing a new program, Terah.” — Procurement Director Ilse Claus

The ‘Terah Footprint Program’ turns growth into true progress.

Today, Dossche Mills is launching 'Terah', a dynamic network where all partners in the wheat chain join forces. The holistic program strives for win-win through intensive collaboration between researchers, farmers, cooperatives, entrepreneurs and producers. Terah puts bread on the table by realizing resilient and fertile soil on the one hand and scalable volumes on the other. From teamwork and shared know-how to increased CO2 reduction in the field, excellent raw materials for bakeries and as alimental as sustainable products on the store shelves.

Dossche Mills transforms on a large scale, and on demand.

With 5 production sites in the Benelux, a range of 1200 products and customers in more than 50 countries, Dossche Mills can carry a lot of weight. As a central hub in the chain, Dossche Mills tackles the climate issue pioneering practical solutions through Terah. After all, it is far from easy for farmers to make the transition. Terah supports them with a range of impactful and cost-efficient measures, from smart fertilizer solutions to applications in regenerative agriculture. Year after year, they apply the most feasible measures according to their own situation. The Terah Program is striving for the principle of fair share for everyone in the chain, giving farmers the support they need to implement the measures.

“Unlike, for example, margarine as a more sustainable alternative to butter, Terah flour does not differ in functionality or taste from regular flour. It is an excellent product with a huge impact on CO2 emissions” — Agronomist Jeroen De Vriendt

Terah sets a new standard for low-carbon flour.

Every year Dossche Mills processes approximately 1 million tons of wheat. Accurate administration is crucial to register the specific CO2 reduction achieved by Terah wheat throughout the chain. That is why Dossche Mills has set up the Terah Standard, providing procedures to streamline the process and guarantee maximum transparency to all parties. This standard is based on primary data from farmers and the 'Mass Balance' principle. After validation by an independent audit company, Dossche Mills customers receive the integral CO2 footprint for their Terah flour per recipe. They will not find that reassurance – and value – anywhere else.

“To limit our footprint and revitalize fields, we are charting a clear path with Terah. From program to impact; from impact to progress. From responsibility to returns, that is growth we call profit.” — Marloes Vandersteene, Customer Care Director