There are brands that make chocolate and there are brands that create moments. For nearly than 175 years, E.Wedel has done both.

From the aroma rising over the Praga district in Warsaw to the iconic zebra known across generations, E.Wedel has always stood for something more than sweetness. It stood for craft, for heritage, for warmth. But today, it also stands for something else. It is responsibility.

The world has changed. The climate is changing. Expectations are changing. And so is the chocolate industry. In its latest Sustainability Report, E.Wedel opens a new chapter: one where pleasure and responsibility go hand in hand. This chapter has a name: Sustainable sweetness. This is the story of how the brand is reinventing itself for the planet, one delicious step at a time.

The moment of change. Why sustainability matters more than ever?

Imagine breaking a bar of chocolate. For a second, the world gets a little quieter. A little sweeter. A little better.

But behind that moment lies a journey, from cocoa farms to factories, stores and homes. It’s a journey that affects forests, water, energy, communities and ecosystems. For many years, these impacts remained invisible.

Today, consumers want to see them clearly. They want to know:

• Where does the cocoa come from?

• How are farmers supported?

• What’s the company doing to reduce its emissions?

• Does the packaging harm or protect the environment?

E.Wedel listened and responded. Not with slogans, but with a structured, transparent sustainability roadmap aligned with European ESRS standards. This is not a marketing gesture. It’s a long-term transformation.

A promise on paper and in action

In the 2024 report, the company makes a significant commitment: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Scope 1 and 2 by 30% by 2030 compared with 2019.

That’s not a small ambition. Chocolate manufacturing is energy-intensive. Factories run 24/7. Ingredients must be chilled, stored, roasted, mixed, tempered. Logistics require controlled temperatures. To reduce emissions while keeping the same level of quality requires innovation, investment and discipline.

And yet, E.Wedel has chosen this path. But the brand goes further. It will publish a full Environmental & Decarbonization Strategy by 2027, expanding its roadmap to include Scope 3: the wider value chain, from farming to transport to packaging suppliers.

In other words: sustainability will not be something E.Wedel adds to chocolate. It will be something woven into every stage of its creation.

The factory of the future: energy, efficiency and smart solutions

Walk through a modern E.Wedel production hall and you can see the transformation. LED systems. Optimized ventilation. New heat-recovery solutions. Adjusted water systems. More efficient machinery. These are not the kinds of things consumers photograph for Instagram, but they are the things that help protect the planet.

E.Wedel is analyzing energy flows, redesigning processes and upgrading infrastructure, all with one goal: produce more sustainably without compromising the taste millions love.

It’s a quiet revolution, happening behind the scenes, one valve and one kilowatt at a time.

Closing the loop: packaging and circularity

If you’ve ever unwrapped an E.Wedel bar, you know the pleasure begins before the first bite. The rustle of paper. The shine of foil. The familiar blue.

But packaging is evolving too.

E.Wedel’s commitment to a circular economy means:

• reducing virgin plastics,

• optimizing material thickness,

• increasing recyclability,

• decreasing waste sent to landfill,

• designing packaging with its “second life” in mind.

The company is actively measuring its waste streams and water use, two areas often overlooked in the confectionery industry. The goal is simple: less waste, more value, cleaner processes.

In a world drowning in packaging, small changes make a big difference.

Where chocolate begins: caring for water, soil and biodiversity

Chocolate doesn’t start in factories. It starts in farms, in tropical climates where cocoa trees depend on delicate ecosystems.

In its sustainability roadmap, E.Wedel places strong emphasis on:

• biodiversity protection,

• water risk assessment,

• ecosystem preservation,

• and responsible sourcing practices.

This includes mapping environmental risks, identifying high-priority areas, and integrating long-term ecosystem thinking into procurement processes.

Because without healthy soil, clean water and thriving biodiversity, there is no cocoa and no future for chocolate. E.Wedel’s commitment ensures that the sweetness we enjoy today doesn’t come at the cost of tomorrow.

Behind every decision: strong ESG governance

Sustainability needs more than intention. It needs structure.

E.Wedel established a multi-level ESG governance model, from the board to operational teams, ensuring that sustainability is not a side project but a core business function.

The company conducted a double materiality assessment, engaging suppliers, employees, partners and customers to understand what truly matters.

The result is in a shape of a sustainability agenda built not on assumptions, but on real voices.

This transparency builds trust, especially crucial for retailers and international partners who need to rely on brands with responsible, verifiable practices.

What “sustainable sweetness” means for consumers and partners?

E.Wedel’s environmental commitments are not abstract. They are shaping the future products you will see on shelves:

• Greener packaging: more recyclable materials, fewer layers, smaller carbon footprints.

• More sustainable sourcing stories: clearer origin, more transparency, certifications, digital traceability.

•  Cleaner, smarter production: Fewer emissions, less waste, responsible use of water and energy.

• New types of products: Limited editions highlighting responsible cocoa, plant-based innovations, eco-designed gifting formats.

• Stronger partnership opportunities: Retailers can build dedicated campaigns - “responsible gifting”, “sustainable indulgence”, “planet-friendly chocolate baskets”, backed by credible brand commitments.

Consumers get chocolate they can feel good about.
Partners get a brand aligned with future EU requirements and consumer expectations.

Everyone wins - including the planet.

A brand with a past and a future

E.Wedel is a company that carries heritage in its DNA. But it is not a company stuck in the past.

The brand understands that the next decades will define not only who leads the market, but which companies remain relevant at all. Climate action is no longer optional. Transparency is no longer a bonus. Responsibility is no longer a niche.

By choosing sustainable sweetness, E.Wedel is choosing the future.

A future where:

• chocolate is crafted with care,

• production respects the planet,

• packaging lives lightly,

• supply chains protect ecosystems,

• and every bite carries a story of responsibility.

A final bite: why does this matter?

When people reach for their favorite E.Wedel bar, they are looking for comfort, joy, and that unforgettable taste.

But today, they are also looking for reassurance, that the brands they love are protecting the world they live in.

E.Wedel is showing that sweetness and sustainability can coexist.
That heritage can evolve.
That indulgence can be mindful.
And that companies can be both traditional and forward-thinking.

This is sustainable sweetness.
This is the new era of E.Wedel.
And it is only the beginning.