Sustainability

Hopsteiner is a leading global group of companies in the hop growing industry. Accountable and conscientious in all facts of the hop market, environment, employees and corporate citizenship has been deeply rooted in our identity since our foundation in 1845. We will make sure that the natural product hops, the basis of our business model, remains available to us in high quality for the long term. Therefore we breed, produce, trade, advise, and research entirely in the interest of sustainability.

Market

Our value chain

Our company’s value chain: raw material procurement, processing, refining, manufacturing, logistics, sales, and disposal. We consider ecological, economic, and social aspects at every stage. In this way we align our business model toward long-term success – in harmony with sustainable development.

Our stakeholders

We recognize that our decisions impact internal and external stakeholders, so open dialogue with them is essential. We maintain personal contact with shareholders, growers, employees, and customers, offering regular opportunities for collaboration on sustainable development. Events like the Hopsteiner Forum and webinars are tailored to stakeholder interests. Additionally, we engage with various industry committees and institutions.

Our customers

Our goal is to provide high-quality hops and offer customers specialist knowledge and technical support. This commitment to customers is rooted in our corporate philosophy, fostering long-term, trust-based relationships. To better serve our main customers in the beer sector, we expanded our 5 hl pilot brewery in 2022 with a meeting room and taproom, allowing customers to experience how specific hop varieties impact their beer.

Opportunities and risks

Two key external factors impact our business: climate change and stricter pesticide regulations. Climate change leads to extreme weather, causing fluctuations in hop yield and quality. The industry needs better irrigation, water distribution, and adaptable plants. Pesticide restrictions increase the risk of disease and pests, while the EU’s Farm-to-Fork Strategy aims to reduce pesticide use by 50% and fertilizer use by 20% by 2030, with more ecological farming. These changes risk crop losses, which we address through research, expert advice, and innovative plant breeding programs.

Quality assurance

Our highest priority is (regionally compliant) food safety – as much for our customers as for our company. We take responsibility for the purity of our products and for their compliance with food safety law. By closely linking the preparation of raw materials and their processing, we guarantee perfect quality products for our customers.

Innovation and research

Our breeding program focuses on creating hop varieties that meet the demands of climate change, requiring less water and pesticides while maintaining yield and resistance to diseases and pests. We also prioritize quality, aroma, and bitterness for the brewing industry, with varieties like Akoya and Solero. Our research includes projects like using sensors and metabolomics to improve breeding efficiency. In 2022, we expanded our hop oil and liquid product range from three to eight, enhancing brewing flexibility by offering natural aroma components without bitter substances. Future efforts will focus on fluid extracts to further expand our product range.

Environment

Resource management

Our business model for the production of hops was founded on responsible business practices, sustainable cultivation, and careful use of resources. In addressing efficiency, we continually optimize our methods of storage and processing of our raw materials.

Emissions

Like any manufacturing, hop processing generates unavoidable emissions, which we aim to reduce. Our challenges include energy-intensive production and the high cost of carbon-neutral energy. We've set long-term goals for energy savings and renewable energy use to lower emissions and contribute to environmental protection

Employees

Equal opportunities

We treat all employees in our company fairly and equally. Our attitude to the topics of anti-discrimination and equal opportunities is set out in our Code of Conduct. As an employer, we provide an appreciative, family-friendly working environment, reasonable pay, a needs-based workspace design, and flexitime working. This creates a lasting, pleasant atmosphere – our employees feel comfortable with us. Our company is noted for its high retention & low turnover of its employees.

three hopsteiner employees laughing together

Occupational safety and health protection

Safety is our top priority, and we prioritize employee well-being. We strictly follow legal standards for working conditions, hours, and occupational safety. Given the physical demands of some tasks, we emphasize safety measures. A designated employee oversees occupational safety, supported by safety officers, and advises the works council.

corporate
citizenship

Commitment and donations

Mainburg, in the Hallertau hop-growing region, has been our home for decades. As a key employer and sponsor, we engage closely with the community, supporting regional projects and small-scale farming. We encourage employee volunteerism, such as releasing Volunteer Fire Brigade members for emergencies, and host fire brigade exercises. Our donations focus on social causes, hop culture, and research, supporting local organizations and institutions like the German Hop Museum, the Technical University of Munich, the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences besides others.

Mainburg’s Volunteer Fire Brigade officers practice their emergency drill at hopsteiner premises

Our Commitment
to Sustainability

Thinking about
tomorrow today

We continuously review our activities so that we can employ suitable new approaches to help conserve the earth’s resources. These principles apply to the cultivation, processing and trade of hops. As a leading player in the hop industry, we are fully aware that our practices have an impact on the global sustainability network.

Hopsteiner sustainability report 2020-22