Tice brand Tilda has become the only UK brand in the rice sector to achieve B Corp Certification.
The UK’s No.1 Rice brand gained certification following a year-long process, which covers the entirety of a business’s operations, and ensures high standards of social and environmental performance.
The leading rice producer, which recently released its 2022 Impact Report, has shown how it has been working with over 2700 farmers in India to encourage biodiversity, cut emissions and reduce the environmental impacts of growing rice.
This work includes testing new farming techniques such as Alternate Wet Drying (AWD), which sees farmers move away from the traditional method of flooding paddy fields to ensure roots are always submerged. Instead, farmers use pipes to monitor water levels, and water only when required. This reduces water and energy use, as well as greenhouse gas emissions.
Other techniques include the use of an Ecosystem-Based Pest Management Approach that supports biodiversity and limits the use of chemicals, protecting the crop and saving farmers money.
In addition to Tilda’s work with farmers in India, its other key initiatives include:
- Responsible sourcing to help maintain a resilient supply chain as climate change, the war in Ukraine, Brexit and other issues continue to have an impact
- Sustainable manufacturing to reduce the impact of making products, with a strong focus on cutting emissions and avoiding food waste
- Packaging evolutions to reduce its impact, cut down on plastic and enable recycling
- Supporting communities via strengthened partnerships with charities including The Felix Project, Mary’s Meals and Zest Quest Asia
“This B Corp accreditation reflects our absolute commitment to being the most responsible rice producer in the world," said Tilda Managing Director, Jean-Philippe "JP" Laborde.
“We must seek out and embrace all the ways we can reduce the environmental impacts of growing rice, from working with our progressive farmers and scrutinising our supply chain, to investing in our manufacturing, evolving our packaging and supporting local communities.
“We will continue to challenge ourselves, and others, to do better. Looking ahead, it is our ambition to share our learnings across the industry to help ensure that all successful measures that can make a positive difference to people and planet be adopted across the entire global rice supply chain.”
Chris Turner, B Corp parent B Lab UK’s executive director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Tilda to the B Corp community. Its commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others in the industry, helping spread the notion that success in business is as much about people and planet as it is profit. We look forward to seeing Tilda drive the conversation forward.”
