Sovena Feeding Futures

Feed Magazine nº14

SOVENA GROUP

Explore Sovena's latest developments and projects across different geographies.

70 years of paths we continue to discover

Celebrating 70 Years of History!

Seventy years ago, our journey began. But more than the passage of time, what truly defines us are the people who have been — and continue to be — part of this story.

Generations of dedication, trust, and commitment have brought us to where we are today. People who believed in us, who walked alongside us, and who give meaning to what we are every single day.

Today, we celebrate 70 years of history. Thank you for being with us, for being part of this journey, and for helping us build our future.

We invite everyone to watch the video commemorating this very special milestone, where we share part of the journey we have already travelled — and the one we will continue to build together.

Launch of the 2025 Sustainability Report

In 2025, sustainability further consolidated itself as a structural pillar of the Group, with increasing integration across operations and organizational culture, guided by three strategic pillars: Efficient and Circular Food Production, Professional Development and Well-being, and a Responsible Value Chain.

On the agricultural side, we continue to promote best farming practices and prioritize the balance between production and nature preservation, a commitment recognized through several distinctions. We also launched Nutrifarms Consulting, bringing to the market the expertise we have been strengthening over time.

We took a significant step in our decarbonization commitment, strengthening our ambition by voluntarily and publicly joining the international Science Based Targets initiative.

We have maintained our focus on people development, product quality and innovation, and the promotion of responsible practices throughout the value chain.

We invite you to read and share our 2025 Sustainability Report.

Access the report here.

Sovena Expands Its International Presence in 2026 with a Strong Showing at Trade Shows

During the first half of 2026, we participated in several major international trade fairs relevant to the sector, allowing us to promote our products, showcase our latest innovations, and strengthen relationships with partners and customers. Our presence at events such as Gulfood, Alimentaria, SIAL Shanghai, FOODEX Japan, PLMA Amsterdam, and Seoul Food & Hotel helped reinforce Sovena’s international reach, highlighting its ongoing commitment to excellence, quality, and innovation.

AI Journey@Sovena – Executive Program

Preparing for the future means developing new skills. With this goal in mind, in partnership with AESE Business School, Sovena launched the Innovation Fast Forward – Leading with AI: From Adoption to Competitive Advantage Executive Program, an initiative designed to empower our leaders to leverage artificial intelligence strategically.

Sovena Family Day

The 4th edition of Sovena Family Day once again brought together employees and their families for an event marked by togetherness, shared experiences, and pride in what we build together.

From discovering our business to enjoying moments of connection, this was another opportunity to bring families closer to the Sovena world and strengthen the bonds that unite us, both inside and outside the workplace.

Volunteering Initiatives with Community Impact

Recently, in Portugal, Sovena took part in two volunteering initiatives with a direct impact on the community. One team contributed to improving the facilities of the Linda-a-Pastora Volunteer Fire Brigade as part of the Recria Program, while another participated in the Spring Games, organized by Elo Social.

These initiatives reflect our commitment to the communities where we operate and the importance of dedicating our time to causes that create value and generate a positive impact.

efr Certification Portugal

Sovena attended the Annual Recognition Session for efr Companies, where we received the Family Responsible Company (efr) certification.

A moment that reinforces our ongoing commitment to promoting well-being and a healthy balance between professional, personal, and family life.

Sovena Day – Factories

With three editions held in the first half of the year, Sovena Day once again created opportunities to get to know who we are and where we come from.

Through moments of sharing and visits to our industrial units, participants were able to learn more about the Group’s history, understand how the business operates, and experience first-hand the reality of our operations.

New Krones Labeling Machine in Barreiro

A new labeling machine has been installed as part of the L11 line project, reinforcing the modernization of industrial processes. This new equipment will increase operational efficiency, improve labeling accuracy, and ensure greater consistency in the final product presentation.

This solution represents another step in the commitment to innovation, quality, and continuous improvement, contributing to more robust, reliable processes that are better prepared to meet market demands.

Play Safe: Safety in Action

Group activity reinforces the culture of Occupational Health and Safety.

As part of Occupational Health and Safety initiatives, a group activity was carried out using the “Play Safe” game, featuring questions related to various topics within this area.

This activity promoted interactive and participatory learning, reinforcing essential knowledge, and encouraging the sharing of experiences among teams.

Beyond its training component, the initiative also helped strengthen team spirit and team building, demonstrating that safety is everyone’s responsibility and must be present in daily work.

Visit of Cardinal D. Américo Aguiar and Fr. Luís Ferreira do Amaral to the Almada industrial unit facilities

As part of strengthening Sovena Oilseeds connection with the community and institutional entities, a visit was held by Cardinal D. Américo Aguiar and Fr. Luís Ferreira do Amaral to Sovena Oilseeds industrial facilities.

The visit provided an opportunity to present the company’s activity framework, key production processes, and its commitment to quality, food safety, sustainability, and social responsibility. It also allowed for a discussion on current industrial challenges and Sovena Oilseeds role within the surrounding economic and social context.

This initiative helped strengthen institutional relationships, promote recognition of the teams’ work, and highlight the organization’s contribution to the local community and the agro-industrial sector.

Improvements at the Almada Industrial Facility

Sovena has recently completed a set of changes at its industrial facilities, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, modernization, and continuous improvement of operational conditions.

A key highlight is the installation of a bag filter system for dust emission control, a highly efficient solution that captures particles generated in industrial processes. This system significantly improves air quality, ensures compliance with applicable legal requirements, and reduces the environmental impact of the facility, representing a strategic investment in operational sustainability.

The internal road network was also repaved, with particular focus on areas with high heavy-vehicle traffic and critical logistics zones. The work was carried out in phases, ensuring the continuity of industrial activities and minimizing production impact.

These actions reflect Sovena’s ongoing commitment to operational efficiency, safety, and infrastructure enhancement.

What's New at the Brenes and Andújar Industrial Facilities

Several improvements and investments are being carried out at the Spanish plants, focusing on process modernization, operational efficiency, and safety.

At the Brenes Industrial plant, a new self-cleaning washing centrifuge has been installed for the refinery, enabling the optimization of the separation process and improving system efficiency. In addition, a new depalletizer has been installed, contributing to greater agility on the production line. These improvements reinforce the plant's commitment to operational excellence, as demonstrated by the renewal of its ISO 50001 Energy Management certification.

At the Andújar Industrial plant, a new multi-point lifeline system has been installed in the warehouse area, strengthening safety conditions for work at height. On filling line 1, a new self-adhesive labeling machine has been installed, improving the accuracy and efficiency of the labeling process. In addition, preparations are underway for the installation of a new 25 L filling line with on-site blow molding of the containers, which will increase the plant's capacity and versatility.

Sovena USA Celebrates Earth Day with Community and Environmental Action

Sovena USA employees and their families came together this April to celebrate Earth Day, taking a hands-on approach to supporting their local community through the company’s annual cleanup initiative in Rome, NY.

Held on Saturday, April 18, the initiative brought together more than 35 volunteers, who gathered at Sovena USA’s headquarters before spreading out across the Griffiss Business and Technology Park to collect litter and waste. By the end of the day, the group had completely filled a truck bed with collected waste, reinforcing their shared commitment to environmental protection. Plans are already underway to continue these actions in the future.

Rooted in Sovena’s global mission, “Feeding Futures,” this event reflects the company’s broader commitment to sustainability and community engagement. For Sovena, Earth Day is not a one-time effort, but part of an ongoing responsibility to protect and improve the planet.

Sovena USA Participates in Baldor BITE and Strengthens Food Industry Relationships

In April, Sovena USA participated and exhibited at Baldor BITE in New York, a food industry event that brings together chefs, producers, and manufacturers in a multisensory experience showcasing the freshest, most innovative, and memorable offerings.

Baldor BITE provides Sovena with valuable opportunities to strengthen industry relationships, increase brand visibility, gain market insights, and identify new pathways for innovation and growth.

Our participation reinforces the strong partnership between Sovena and Baldor, demonstrating a shared commitment to collaboration and long-term success. By continuing to invest in this relationship, we create greater synergies that drive mutual growth, open new opportunities, and strengthen our position in the food industry. Events like BITE not only showcase our products and capabilities but also deepen the strategic relationship that supports long-term success for both organizations.

Sovena USA at Sysco Supplier Summit 2026

In June, Sovena USA participated and exhibited at the Sysco Supplier Summit in Nashville, Tennessee. The event is a multi-day gathering designed to strengthen collaboration between Sysco—one of our largest accounts—and its supplier partners. The Summit brings together supplier leadership teams to introduce new products and align growth strategies.

This is a high-impact event for Sovena, enabling us to gather valuable market insights and further strengthen relationships with key decision-makers. Last year, Sovena received Sysco’s Supplier of the Year Award, and this year we were once again nominated for an award. We continue to serve Sysco with a strategy focused on excellence and high-quality standards, being consistently recognized for our partnership and service levels.

Sovena USA Family Day

On June 20, Sovena USA celebrated its employees and their families with another edition of the annual Family Day. The event brought together more than 300 participants, who enjoyed a variety of activities including face painting, caricatures, food, inflatables, factory tours, and much more.

Highly anticipated year after year, this event provides a valuable opportunity to bring together families, friends, and colleagues in a relaxed and fun environment. Throughout the afternoon, attendees had the chance to get to know each other’s families better, enjoy good food, and strengthen relationships in a spirit of unity and togetherness.

Sovena USA is proud to offer its employees moments that celebrate the community we’ve build together and, even more importantly, to include their families and friends in these initiatives. Family Day holds a special meaning for Sovena, as our employees are a fundamental part of our success.

Improvements at Sovena Colombia

At Sovena Colombia, two initiatives were implemented to improve operational efficiency and sustainability. In the laboratory, the SOXTEC 243 and FOODSCAN 2 LAB analyzers were acquired to replace the Goldfish equipment used for determining the fat content of raw materials and avocado pulp. This upgrade significantly reduced analysis time—from 6 hours to 2 hours with the SOXTEC and to just 20 seconds with the FOODSCAN—providing faster and more consistent results to support decision-making. To ensure the reliability of the measurements, approximately 1,200 analyses were conducted over a two-month period to calibrate the FOODSCAN.

At the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), the replacement of the filter press with an automatic sludge dewatering screw press has begun. The new equipment is capable of continuously processing all sludge generated while requiring less operator intervention. This solution is expected to reduce waste management and disposal costs by 40% to 50%.

Culture, Family, and Operational Excellence at Sovena Angola

At Sovena Angola, we continue to invest in our people and their development — essential pillars of the company. To further strengthen Sovena’s culture within a still young team and organization, we opened the factory doors to a very special visit: the children of our employees. The winners of the Christmas drawing contest had the opportunity to visit, together with their families, where, how, and by whom Fula is produced in Angola.

We also took time, as a team, to review our results and identify opportunities for improvement. We analyzed key performance indicators and celebrated important milestones: 1,095 days of the factory without workplace accidents and production efficiency levels above 90%.