PepsiCo makes 'grand' appearance with focus on sustainable growth

Global food and beverage giant PepsiCo is making its grand appearance at the sixth China International Import Expo, presenting more than 50 snack food, beverage and nutrition brand products.

Revolving around a global sustainable development strategy it calls PepsiCo Positive, or pep+, the company has built an immersive exhibition around the theme of "planet+people" at the Nov 5-10 CIIE in Shanghai.

At its booth, PepsiCo is using science and technology to showcase its latest practices and innovations in sustainable agriculture, the green value chain and positive products, demonstrating the company's strong commitment to sustainable development.

The company is also spotlighting its green circular packaging solution — an international market 'bottle-to-bottle' application case that uses 100 percent recycled PET plastic as beverage packaging. A smart recycling machine has been set up to allow visitors to contribute to environmental protection as well as having a unique zero-carbon exhibition experience.

"The CIIE creates an excellent opportunity for enterprises worldwide to gather together, join hands and share the development opportunities in China," said Anne Tse, CEO of PepsiCo Greater China Region.

"China has always been an important strategic market for PepsiCo, and we will continue to increase our investment in the country by providing consumers with high-quality food and beverages that are nutritious and delicious through sustainable supply chains, digitalization, industrial health and innovation to support the Healthy China 2030 initiative, dual carbon goals and rural vitalization."

In conjunction with the CIIE, executives of PepsiCo will attend the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, an important parallel event, to share insights into global ecological civilization and the "silver economy" as well as the company's achievements in its PepsiCo Positive initiative.

Launched in 2021, PepsiCo Positive is a strategic end-to-end transformation with sustainability at the center of how the company will create growth and value by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for the planet and its people.

Over the past two years, the company has implemented the strategy with great success. For example, it has taken the lead in using electric heavy trucks for goods distribution and established its first zero-carbon factory in Linyi, Shandong province, implementing comprehensive energy-saving and emission-reducing measures.

As well, PepsiCo's plant in Foshan, Guangdong province, with a total investment of more than 700 million yuan ($95.72 million), has officially commenced operations, becoming a new model of green and intelligent development that leads the industry in high-quality growth. Its Lay's potato chip brand launched an updated version of their chips with 50 percent lower saturated fat, compared with its classic recipe, as part of the company's effort to promote the transformation toward a healthier industry.

PepsiCo is advancing industry-leading goals for 2030 that include spreading regenerative practices across more than 2.8 million hectares of agricultural footprint, building a circular and inclusive value chain and net-zero emissions and net water positive activities, along with incorporating sustainable packaging.