GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Food Processing Industry Statistics

Food industry reduces emissions, waste, water use through sustainable innovation.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The use of alternative proteins in processed foods is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.45% through 2030, promoting sustainability

Statistic 2

The adoption of plant-based ingredients in processed foods is increasing at a rate of nearly 10% annually, promoting sustainability

Statistic 3

About 65% of consumers prioritize sustainability when choosing food products, influencing companies to adopt greener practices

Statistic 4

Food processing firms that implement sustainable certifications see a 15% increase in consumer trust and sales

Statistic 5

The food processing industry accounts for approximately 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions

Statistic 6

Around 30% of the food produced globally is lost or wasted, much of which occurs at processing stages

Statistic 7

Approximately 60% of the energy used in food processing is derived from fossil fuels, contributing to carbon emissions

Statistic 8

Adoption of energy-efficient technologies in food processing can reduce energy consumption by up to 25%

Statistic 9

The use of renewable energy in food processing plants has increased by 15% over the past five years

Statistic 10

Implementing water recycling in food processing can reduce water usage by 20-50%

Statistic 11

Food processing facilities that utilize waste-to-energy systems reduce their landfill waste by up to 80%

Statistic 12

The food processing industry accounts for roughly 7% of global freshwater withdrawals

Statistic 13

Packaging waste from the food processing industry contributes to approximately 30% of plastic waste globally

Statistic 14

Use of biodegradable packaging in the food industry has increased by 25% in the last three years

Statistic 15

Food processing companies adopting sustainable sourcing policies have increased by 12% over the last five years

Statistic 16

Approximately 50% of global energy consumption in food processing is used in heating and drying processes

Statistic 17

Transitioning to digital and IoT technologies in food processing can reduce operational energy use by up to 30%

Statistic 18

Organic food processing is increasingly adopting sustainable practices, with a growth rate of 20% annually

Statistic 19

Upcycling of by-products in food processing can reduce waste generation by 25%

Statistic 20

The global market for sustainable food packaging is expected to reach $418 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.7%

Statistic 21

Reducing food processing energy use through equipment upgrades can save companies around $100,000 annually

Statistic 22

Adoption of solar power in the food processing industry is expected to grow at a rate of 20% annually

Statistic 23

The food processing industry’s carbon footprint can be reduced by up to 40% through integrated sustainability initiatives

Statistic 24

Smart water management systems can decrease water use in food processing by up to 30%

Statistic 25

Implementing sustainable supply chain practices can reduce transportation emissions from food processing companies by 20%

Statistic 26

Up to 85% of food processing companies are investing in sustainability as a core part of their corporate strategy

Statistic 27

The use of eco-friendly refrigeration systems in food processing can cut energy costs by approximately 15-20%

Statistic 28

Circular economy practices in food processing have led to a 30% reduction in raw material consumption in some companies

Statistic 29

Around 45% of global food processing facilities are expected to implement sustainability audits by 2025, aiming to improve resource efficiency

Statistic 30

Energy recovery systems in food processing can reduce overall energy consumption by up to 25%

Statistic 31

Nearly 70% of food processing companies have set measurable sustainability goals for the next decade

Statistic 32

Incorporating precision agriculture practices upstream can reduce inputs in raw materials by 20%, aiding overall sustainability

Statistic 33

The edible by-products from food processing are increasingly being used as animal feed, reducing waste and supporting sustainability

Statistic 34

Food processing industries that invest in employee sustainability training see a 12% improvement in sustainability-related initiatives' effectiveness

Statistic 35

The global demand for sustainable food processing equipment is expected to grow at an annual rate of 7.3% over the next five years

Statistic 36

Innovations in fermentation technology are making plant-based alternatives more sustainable by reducing resource input by up to 50%

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Key Highlights

The food processing industry accounts for approximately 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions
Around 30% of the food produced globally is lost or wasted, much of which occurs at processing stages
Approximately 60% of the energy used in food processing is derived from fossil fuels, contributing to carbon emissions
Adoption of energy-efficient technologies in food processing can reduce energy consumption by up to 25%
The use of renewable energy in food processing plants has increased by 15% over the past five years
Implementing water recycling in food processing can reduce water usage by 20-50%
Food processing facilities that utilize waste-to-energy systems reduce their landfill waste by up to 80%
The food processing industry accounts for roughly 7% of global freshwater withdrawals
Packaging waste from the food processing industry contributes to approximately 30% of plastic waste globally
Use of biodegradable packaging in the food industry has increased by 25% in the last three years
Food processing companies adopting sustainable sourcing policies have increased by 12% over the last five years
Approximately 50% of global energy consumption in food processing is used in heating and drying processes
Transitioning to digital and IoT technologies in food processing can reduce operational energy use by up to 30%

Amid mounting environmental concerns, the food processing industry is taking significant strides toward sustainability, with technology-driven innovations and eco-friendly practices reducing emissions, waste, and resource consumption—all while boosting consumer trust and market growth.

Alternative and Sustainable Food Ingredients

The use of alternative proteins in processed foods is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.45% through 2030, promoting sustainability
The adoption of plant-based ingredients in processed foods is increasing at a rate of nearly 10% annually, promoting sustainability

Alternative and Sustainable Food Ingredients Interpretation

With alternative proteins and plant-based ingredients rising at nearly 10% to 14.45% CAGR, the food processing industry is clearly assembling a more sustainable plate, one eco-friendly bite at a time.

Consumer Trends and Market Demand

About 65% of consumers prioritize sustainability when choosing food products, influencing companies to adopt greener practices
Food processing firms that implement sustainable certifications see a 15% increase in consumer trust and sales

Consumer Trends and Market Demand Interpretation

With nearly two-thirds of consumers favoring sustainability and a 15% boost in trust and sales for certified companies, the food processing industry is finding that going green isn't just good ethics—it's good business.

Environmental Sustainability and Resource Management

The food processing industry accounts for approximately 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions
Around 30% of the food produced globally is lost or wasted, much of which occurs at processing stages
Approximately 60% of the energy used in food processing is derived from fossil fuels, contributing to carbon emissions
Adoption of energy-efficient technologies in food processing can reduce energy consumption by up to 25%
The use of renewable energy in food processing plants has increased by 15% over the past five years
Implementing water recycling in food processing can reduce water usage by 20-50%
Food processing facilities that utilize waste-to-energy systems reduce their landfill waste by up to 80%
The food processing industry accounts for roughly 7% of global freshwater withdrawals
Packaging waste from the food processing industry contributes to approximately 30% of plastic waste globally
Use of biodegradable packaging in the food industry has increased by 25% in the last three years
Food processing companies adopting sustainable sourcing policies have increased by 12% over the last five years
Approximately 50% of global energy consumption in food processing is used in heating and drying processes
Transitioning to digital and IoT technologies in food processing can reduce operational energy use by up to 30%
Organic food processing is increasingly adopting sustainable practices, with a growth rate of 20% annually
Upcycling of by-products in food processing can reduce waste generation by 25%
The global market for sustainable food packaging is expected to reach $418 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.7%
Reducing food processing energy use through equipment upgrades can save companies around $100,000 annually
Adoption of solar power in the food processing industry is expected to grow at a rate of 20% annually
The food processing industry’s carbon footprint can be reduced by up to 40% through integrated sustainability initiatives
Smart water management systems can decrease water use in food processing by up to 30%
Implementing sustainable supply chain practices can reduce transportation emissions from food processing companies by 20%
Up to 85% of food processing companies are investing in sustainability as a core part of their corporate strategy
The use of eco-friendly refrigeration systems in food processing can cut energy costs by approximately 15-20%
Circular economy practices in food processing have led to a 30% reduction in raw material consumption in some companies
Around 45% of global food processing facilities are expected to implement sustainability audits by 2025, aiming to improve resource efficiency
Energy recovery systems in food processing can reduce overall energy consumption by up to 25%
Nearly 70% of food processing companies have set measurable sustainability goals for the next decade
Incorporating precision agriculture practices upstream can reduce inputs in raw materials by 20%, aiding overall sustainability
The edible by-products from food processing are increasingly being used as animal feed, reducing waste and supporting sustainability
Food processing industries that invest in employee sustainability training see a 12% improvement in sustainability-related initiatives' effectiveness
The global demand for sustainable food processing equipment is expected to grow at an annual rate of 7.3% over the next five years
Innovations in fermentation technology are making plant-based alternatives more sustainable by reducing resource input by up to 50%

Environmental Sustainability and Resource Management Interpretation

While the food processing industry is responsible for just 4% of global greenhouse gases, its profound waste at every stage and reliance on fossil fuels reveal that rethinking energy, water use, and packaging—like embracing renewables, recycling, and biodegradable materials—are crucial; after all, as industry leaders increasingly recognize the value of sustainability—upward of 85% investing in it—the path to a greener, more efficient food sector is no longer just a trend but an imperative.