Building a sustainable future
Responsible sourcing
Responsibility starts at the source
For Oterra, sustainable sourcing means that we carry out our business taking care of Nature, Climate and People. Because we have backward integration for many of our products we can ensure sustainable sourcing through close partnerships with our agricultural suppliers.
Our products come from nature so we are committed to protecting ecosystems through responsible land use, prevention of deforestation, water stewardship, reducing waste, and maintaining soil health.
To achieve our ambitious climate targets, we’ve formed strategic partnerships - such as the one with VAXA Technologies, that cultivates spirulina using a carbon neutral process that also uses substantially less land and water than conventional cultivation methods.
Our business depends on suppliers and partners around the world, and with that comes a responsibility to ensure that our supply chain respects human rights, supports fair labor, and runs ethically. Responsible sourcing is central to managing risk, protecting the people and communities we affect, and keeping trust with our customers.
Looking ahead, we are formalizing and deepening our approach. We are expanding our use of Sedex to assess supplier risks, engage proactively with high-risk suppliers, and track progress more transparently.
By 2030, our ambition is for all in-scope suppliers to be linked with us on Sedex and for all suppliers identified as high-risk to have a mitigation plan or follow-up audit. These steps will strengthen our ability to make sourcing decisions that are responsible, resilient, and aligned with Oterra’s long-term sustainability goals.
Case stories
Oterra works with suppliers around the world to achieve our ambitious climate goals
Nurturing nature: sustainable farming and tree planting in India
Techniques such as integrated pest management, conservation tillage, crop rotation, and water-efficient irrigation are employed in India by Oterra to help reduce chemical inputs, conserve water, and strengthen local ecosystems - while also supporting farmers’ livelihoods.
Our Trace AgTech platform provides real-time oversight across farms, enabling us to monitor practices, track yields, and continuously improve outcomes. Today, over 400 hectares of turmeric and chili are under this system, giving us exceptional supply chain transparency and reinforcing responsible cultivation at every stage.
Beyond farming, Akay's flagship One Million Trees campaign demonstrates our commitment to ecosystem restoration and climate resilience. Since the initiative kicked off in 2015, nearly 300,000 trees have been planted across our partner farms and facilities, contributing to soil conservation, carbon capture, and long-term environmental stability.
By combining science-driven agronomy, digital monitoring, and community engagement, Oterra helps build resilient farming systems that protect nature, strengthen local livelihoods, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the raw materials our business - and our customers - depend on.
Arctic Blue: Blue today for a greener tomorrow
To achieve our ambitious climate targets, we’ve formed strategic partnerships – such as with VAXA Technologies, whose carbon neutral cultivation of spirulina in Iceland uses substantially less land and water than conventional cultivation methods.
The innovative cultivation process behind Oterra's Arctic Blue range utilizes 100% clean energy, waste heat, and CO2 from a neighbouring geothermal plant in closed-system bioreactors, enabling efficient growth conditions and requiring only a fraction of the land and water used in traditional open-pond cultivation.
Because production takes place in a fully controlled indoor environment, it is also far less exposed to weather variability and climate-related disruptions - enhancing both sustainability and long-term supply resilience.
Our partnership with VAXA Technologies illustrates how focused innovation can accelerate decarbonisation in our supply chain while supporting a climate-resilient future for our natural colour solutions
Sustainable Sourcing in action: Ecoflora Cares in Colombia
Oterra’s exclusive partnership with Ecoflora Cares is helping smallholder farmers in Colombia build sustainable livelihoods while protecting biodiversity and preventing deforestation.
Jagua fruit production provides stable income to rural communities, many of which were previously affected by limited economic opportunities and high crime rates in the region. Farmers receive training, environmental service payments, and support in responsible agricultural practices, improving resilience to climate shocks and strengthening their long-term prospects.
Thanks to the long-term partnership with Oterra, Ecoflora Cares has transitioned nearly 11,000 hectares to more sustainable land management, including both jagua trees and other farmland managed by smallholder farmers, while planting over 100,000 additional native trees to enhance biodiversity, soil quality, and carbon sequestration.
Independent analysis by global impact measurement company 60_decibels shows meaningful results: 7 in 10 farmers report that the technical support received has helped them better withstand shocks, 61% report increased earnings, and two-thirds report improved quality of life. By combining responsible sourcing with community development, Oterra and Ecoflora Cares are creating a resilient and equitable supply chain - where people, nature, and business thrive together.
Responsibility, in our nature
At Oterra, sustainability, responsible sourcing, and ethical business practices are central to how we work across our global value chain. Our Supplier Code of Conduct sets clear expectations for all suppliers and business partners, wherever they operate.
The Code is grounded in internationally recognized standards for human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption. We expect our suppliers to follow these principles and to encourage the same standards throughout their own supply chains
Curious to learn more about our sustainability strategy and how we put it into practice? We’re always happy to share more and explore how we work with sustainability across our solutions and operations.
Fill out the form on the right with a few details, and one of our experts will be in touch.