Sustainability
Professionalism and work ethic developed over 60 years of experience
Sustainability in the Cooperative
CLAI's operations are based on responsible and sustainable development that respects its environmental, social, and economic context, consistent with the cooperative nature of the Cooperative and its roots in the local area.
For CLAI, sustainability means putting people first, respecting and enhancing environmental resources, cultivating the indissoluble bond with its territory of origin, guaranteeing excellent products, operating with ethics and integrity, and building a development that leaves future generations a "better" cooperative than the one it inherited. It is not an abstract vision, but a daily practice that translates into concrete choices: from the Integrated Quality-Environment Policy to the controlled "farm-to-fork" supply chain, from energy efficiency to continuous employee training, and support for local communities.
Sustainability is now an essential competitive lever in the agri-food sector, where sustainable practices not only meet consumers' growing demands for transparency, but also optimize resource use, reduce waste, and improve supply chain resilience. This approach allows for differentiation in a market increasingly attentive to environmental and social impacts, fostering the creation of shared value that integrates economic, environmental, and social benefits, and strengthening the company's reputation as a distinctive and strategic element for long-term growth.
Letter to Stakeholders from President Giovanni Bettini
Sustainability report 2024
The 2024 Sustainability Report is CLAI's fourth annual report, prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, "in accordance" option, covering the entire financial year (January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024).
It is a document that narrates the Cooperative's journey through data, figures, and concrete stories, transparently describing how CLAI generates economic, environmental, and social value.
History and values of the Cooperative
CLAI was founded in 1962 from a simple yet revolutionary idea: a group of young sharecroppers decided to join forces to create job opportunities and growth in the Imola area. Today, after more than sixty years, CLAI is a solid and dynamic point of reference in the Italian agri-food sector, able to offer concrete prospects to young breeders and farmers. The Cooperative bases its sustainable growth path on four key principles that guide its daily work: mutuality, intergenerational pact, environmental responsibility, and quality.
Responsible management of the entire supply chain, safeguarding both the land and natural resources and the communities that live there, stems from six values that have guided every choice made by CLAI for over sixty years – People, Environment, Territory, Quality, Ethics, and Development – cardinal points of an ethical compass that directs the Cooperative's daily actions, demonstrating its concrete commitment.
Local presence
CLAI operates in the Emilia-Romagna region (Imola-Sasso Morelli, Faenza, Langhirano) and Tuscany (Palazzuolo sul Senio) through its own factories and farms, and more widely with "Macellerie del Contadino" (Farmer's Butchers), which are retail outlets dedicated to CLAI's excellent products.
CLAI's corporate governance system is designed to promote balanced collaboration among all involved parties and to ensure maximum transparency towards stakeholders. The Board of Directors consists of 9 members, appointed according to the electoral regulations updated during the year.
In 2024, the Cooperative generated €376 million in value, of which 95.55% was redistributed among reclassified costs and remuneration for personnel, financiers, members, the community, and public administration. Photo
The CLAI integrated supply chain
CLAI's integrated supply chain, a key strength of the Cooperative, is driven by the contributions of its farmer members, who supply over 70% of the meat processed by the Cooperative.
The agricultural, production, and commercial practices adopted for pigs allow for 360° supervision of the process right up to market entry, ensuring that the end consumer receives a good and safe "farm-to-fork" product.
Despite the limitations imposed by African swine fever, over 90 audits were conducted in 2024 across the pig and cattle farms within the supply chain.
This dedication to raw materials is also showcased at various national (Marca, Cibus) and international (Sial, NRA) trade fairs where CLAI's excellent products are promoted.
Food quality and safety
All facilities are IFS Food and/or BRCGS certified. In addition, the Sasso Morelli plant has ISO 22005 certified management system for 100% Italian traceability and ISO 14001 for the environment.
CLAI implements a rigorous, integrated system for preventing risks related to product quality and safety, based on:
• Daily operational checks within its facilities;
• Quarterly plan of visits by external consultants;
• Specific monthly analyses by accredited external laboratories;
• In-house trichinoscopic laboratory dedicated to checking for the absence of trichinella in pork;
• Complete traceability through computerised procedures based on barcodes.
This oversight is strengthened by industry reference certifications and standards, ongoing verification and improvement activities, and continuous training of Quality resources throughout the year.
Environmental impact management
The Cooperative constantly monitors its consumption and polluting emissions through periodic checks of its systems and emission points, as well as frequent data checks to ensure compliance with legal limits at all times. 2024 was a year of full operation for new energy assets, with significant effects on the mix between self-produced and purchased energy.
Furthermore, CLAI assesses potential impacts on biodiversity and has targeted actions to reduce food and raw material waste, such as reducing the grammage of packaging bags.
31% of renewable energy used within the Cooperative (66,328 GJ)
40% of electricity consumption covered by Guarantees of Origin certificates
6% reduction in waste generation
People at the heart
The relationship between CLAI and its members and employees is based on common and shared growth, both of the individual as a worker and of the Cooperative. CLAI stands out for its participatory management, representing a unique example in the European agri-food sector.
The Cooperative prioritises attracting and retaining talent and skilled workers by focusing on the well-being of its employees, including safety, and by providing appropriate tools for acquiring vertical skills.
646 employees, a 7% increase compared to 2023
29 employment contracts converted from temporary to permanent during 2024
Over 4,000 hours of staff training provided
22% of employees use welfare credits, an increase of 5% compared to 2023
The bond with the territory and the community
CLAI fosters a very close bond between people and the local area. This connection is one of its greatest distinguishing features and an enabling factor for the positive impact it has generated for over sixty years.
The Cooperative is committed to offering better job and development prospects for the community in which it operates, with the aim of leaving a virtuous legacy for future generations.
The strong and constant link with the local area continues to manifest itself through numerous social and cultural initiatives such as La Spiaggia dei Valori, the Emilia Romagna Festival, and Settembre in Villa. In the sports sector, with the same passion, it promotes sports education through CLAI & Friends and supports the competitive clubs of CLAI Imola Volley, Pallamano Romagna, and Imola Rugby.