New Originals Company

Sustainability

We strive to perfect our products – not just in flavour and texture, but in how they honour people, planet, and tradition. 
Soy beansDonau Soja

Soybeans

Our Key Ingredient for Tofu. We make sure it's a good one – because real food starts at the source. Soybeans purchased by our Slovak, German, and Romanian productions are certified by Donau Soja, the trusted standard for sustainable, European-grown soy. Step by step, we are extending this commitment across our group – aiming for 100% certified sourcing for our tofu.

Selected Sustainability Initiatives

A common path with many stages.

As our group continues to grow, we recognise that sustainability across our locations is still evolving. We are on a purposeful journey – understanding where we stand, measuring our impact, and shaping effective group-wide solutions to reduce it.

While building towards a shared approach, we proudly recognise the meaningful contributions of each subsidiary – each step advancing a more responsible and connected food culture.

Tofu Aufstrich

We believe in second chances – and so does our tofu in Slovakia

Bringing our products to people means meeting precise weight specifications – a process that naturally brings challenges. In Slovakia, we’ve found a mindful solution: instead of letting number of imperfect pieces go to waste, we transform them into delicious spreads. A second life, full of flavour and purpose.

Sidestream Valorisation

In our production, nothing is just a by-product – especially not okara. Okara is the nutrient-rich pulp left after soybeans are gently processed into soy drink – the base for our products. Rich in fibre and protein, it deserves more than waste. We’re continuously exploring respectful, resourceful ways to give okara a second life. In Slovakia, we supply it to local biogas plants and farmers – keeping valuable nutrients in the cycle and reducing waste with purpose.
Okara dish
Sofine Tofu Skewers Chicken Style with a new recipe and 100% plant based

Packaging Innovation – Slovakia

For us, packaging is part of the product story – and deserves thoughtful design. In Slovakia, we wrap our tofu using separate plastic foil and cardboard sleeves. This simple step makes it easier to recycle each material, one piece at a time.

Transport in Slovakia – Smarter Logistics

Smart logistics can make a real difference. In Slovakia, we’ve introduced a pallet pooling system – extending pallet lifespan, reducing the need for new materials, and lowering CO₂ emissions from return transport. A simple shift, with real impact.
New Originals company, healthy, delicious food box
IFS Food

Product Quality and Safety

Our products must meet the highest standards – in taste, integrity, and safety.
Across our group, we uphold strict hygiene and working conditions, supported by internationally recognised food quality certifications such as

This ensures our products are crafted under reliable systems that protect both people and product quality – every step of the way.

Tofu: Simple ingredients. Measurable impact.

Soybeans, water and salt – that’s all it takes to make tofu. This simplicity is what makes tofu special: mild in taste, versatile in use and naturally low in environmental impact.

Now, this has also been independently confirmed. The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Austria (FiBL Austria) conducted a life cycle assessment of our natural and smoked tofu, as well as our tofu spreads. The study followed ISO standards 14040 and 14044 (base year 2024, system boundaries: field to factory gate) and was carried out at our production site in Banská Bystrica.

The result:
Our tofu (natural) has a carbon footprint of 0.9 kg CO₂e per kg tofu, or 0.6 kg CO₂e per 100 g protein.

The key lever:
Soybeans account for around one third of total emissions – making sourcing critical. By using Donau Soja certified soybeans, we reduce emissions by around 30% compared to average European soybeans1, and by approximately 46% compared to non-certified, unsustainable sources².


Data Source:
1. Primary data for Donau Soja certified and average European soybeans: https://www.donausoja.org/scope3-corporate-carbon-footprint/
2. Average of four publications: Ritchie, H., et al (2022) - Environmental Impacts of Food Production” Published online at OurWorldinData.org; Mejia, A., et al. (2018). Greenhouse Gas Emissions Generated by Tofu Production: A Case Study. Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, 13(1), 131–142. https://doi.org/10.1080/19320248.2017.1315323; Head, M., et al. (2011). Life Cycle Impacts of Protein-rich Foods for Superwijzer. Available under: https://cedelft.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/2329_finalreportMHSD_1339077247.pdf; Blonk, H., et al. (2008). Milieueffecten van Nederlandse consumptie van eiwitrijke producten. Available under: https://edepot.wur.nl/117665
3. Figures for animal based food products were obtained from the Agribalyse database. https://agribalyse.ademe.fr/

Looking ahead

We’re committed to continuously improving our sustainability performance – and to sharing that journey with transparency.

Across our group, many initiatives are already underway, and more are in development.

We look forward to sharing future progress with you.

For questions or collaboration:

Contact Us 

Leopold Rittler

Head of Strategic Affairs