Agriculture is key to resilient food systems, says alltech

Alltech’s newly released Sustainability Report outlines the company’s environmental impact reductions, support for agri-food producers, and agriculture’s role in strengthening food system resilience.

“Our vision of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty recognizes that thriving farms and food businesses are essential for a more sustainable planet,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “When producers are equipped to succeed — to be profitable, to build a legacy and reinvest in their land and communities — we all move closer to a world of abundance.”

The 2024 report highlights a year of strong momentum and measurable impact: In 2024, Alltech reported double-digit business growth while reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 7.8 percent. Since 2021, the company has cut those emissions by 26 percent, moving closer to its 2030 reduction target of 42 percent.

The 2024 Sustainability Report details efforts such as energy efficiency upgrades, water management initiatives, and collaborations with customers on carbon credit and resource efficiency programs. It also includes public outreach efforts, such as the World Without Cows documentary.

The report outlines progress on emissions and waste reduction, alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and sustainability measures across Alltech’s global operations and partnerships.

“The choices we make today will shape the world of tomorrow,” said Tara McCarthy, global vice president of ESG at Alltech. “That’s why our sustainability strategy is designed to deliver long-term environmental, social and economic benefits — not only within our own operations but across the entire agri-food value chain.”

Key sustainability achievements include:

• Energy efficiency: In 2024, Alltech invested $2.04 million in six energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, cutting our emissions by 3,602 metric tons of CO2-e. Since 2021, it has invested $13 million in 40 projects across 29 sites, resulting in a reduction of approximately 21,000 metric tons of CO2-e per year.
• Zero-waste milestones: The company expanded its zero-waste-to-landfill practices, with five facilities achieving full zero-waste status in 2024.
• Water stewardship: Alltech launched a strategy to benchmark usage, identify high-usage sites, implement conservation technologies and share global best practices.
• Expanding LCAs: Alltech completed 57 product life-cycle analyses (LCAs) in 2024 for a total of 139 total LCAs now completed.
• Workforce diversity and engagement: Alltech has a diverse global workforce representing 72 nationalities speaking 59 native languages. Its team of 5,368 includes 26% women and 74% men. In its 2,466 non-production roles, 42% are women and 58% are men.
• Uniquely experienced team: 35% of Alltech’s team has been with the company for more than 10 years, while 12% have been with the company for more than 20 years. (In the U.S., the average length of employment in corporate companies is 3.9 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.)
• EUDR compliance: The company achieved EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation) compliance and drafted deforestation/conversion-free policies for 2025 adoption.
• Science and impact: 799 Alltech research studies are listed on Scopus, with many mapped to 11 of the 17 U.N. SDGs.
• Recognition: Alltech was reaccredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition, Alltech Serdán received ESR designation again and the company’s sustainability efforts continue to be recognized by sustainability-rating agency EcoVadis.
• Social engagement: Alltech advocates for agri-food, invests in building resilient communities around the world and serves as a global thought and action leader in the industry, producing industry-leading publications and hosting and participating in global events.



Challenging the conventional narrative

The report also spotlights the bold steps Alltech has taken to advocate for agri-food producers through science-led storytelling. In 2024, its team completed production of World Without Cows, a feature-length documentary examining the economic, cultural, nutritional and environmental role of cattle — and the consequences of imagining a food system without them.

World Without Cows challenges oversimplified narratives about animal agriculture, using evidence-based insights to spark deeper conversations about sustainability.

More than 5,000 people viewed the documentary in 2024 at private screenings, film festivals and events around the world.

“Through the film, its digital platform and in-person events all over the world, we are creating space for science-led storytelling that encourages critical thinking and sparking broader conversations about livestock, food security and sustainability,” Lyons said.

The path to a more sustainable future is complex, but progress is possible when science, innovation and collaboration come together. While challenges like climate change, resource scarcity and social inequality persist, Alltech remains committed to working alongside producers and partners to turn these challenges into opportunities.

“We are dedicated to addressing these complex issues through ongoing rigorous research, robust data management, strategic partnerships and the development of forward-thinking sustainable solutions,” McCarthy said. “We invite our stakeholders, partners and communities to join us on this journey. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities, create meaningful change and create a world of abundance for future generations.”