Nexira, having recently begun the third phase of its acacia sustainability program, reflected on acheivements to date regarding the role it’s had in sustainable harvest of acacia and a positive social impact in the regions where they source it.
 
The company has spent over 15 years working with a non-governmental organization, along with other national organizations and producers, to create better local living conditions, as well as reduce carbon emissions.
 
In 2020, the company launched its first carbon-neutral acacia product range, under the brand Inavea.
 
History
 
Nexira’s sustainability efforts began in the 1970s, with a focus specific to preserving the acacia forests. Phases one and two of the program, which spanned 2009 to 2020, included reforestation efforts, enhanced biodiversity, and socio-economic development for local populations. Phase 3, which will span 2022-2030, will involve 200 villages and 50,000 producers with an expected annual carbon sequestration of over 60,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
 
“As the world leader in acacia, we have a corporate responsibility. We must look to the future and uphold strong values, ones that make sense and which correspond with our activities,” said Mathieu Dondain, managing director of Nexira. “Carbon neutrality is certainly an ambitious project but it is ultimately the concrete expression of all the actions we have been taking for a long time. We hope to inspire many other companies to move in this direction.”
 
Low Carbon Strategy
 
Nexira began a new low-carbon strategy in 2019 which measured and reduced greenhouse gas emissions across all of its operations.
 
Using the GHG protocol, the company identified and controlled emissions, emphasizing the lower carbon footprint of acacia gum compared to other raw materials. The company has also implemented low-carbon technology throughout the manufacturing process and in transportation. This resulted in a 9% reduction in carbon footprint per ton of finished product, equivalent to 5,500 tons of CO2.

Offsetting Projects

For 2024, Nexira will support Envira Amazonia REDD+ project in Brazil to offset emissions from the inavea range, which will contribute real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and support local communities in forest management.
 
The project is VCS- and CCB-certified by Verra, and aims to sequester carbon by preserving 39,300 hectares of forest previously destined for deforestation and conversion to pasture. The project will preserve an ecosystem in a tropical zone, avoid emissions thanks to the preservation of an existing carbon sink, and preserve and develop biodiversity.
 
Expanding to Include other Low-Carbon Materials
 
The Inavea brand includes only organic-certified references and emphasizes preserving natural resources, supporting local communities, and achieving carbon neutrality. The range includes acacia and baobab, and will soon be expanded to other raw materials, according to the company.
 
The range will offer multiple grades to match customers’ requirements including: a synergistic combination formulated for prebiotic benefits; granulated forms for higher solubility and dispersibility, and a purified, instantized form with low water activity.