At Zinpro, sustainability is more than a year-end afterthought. It’s a part of our mission to improve the wellness and performance of animals and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable world.
Since Zinpro was founded, our goal has always been to help our customers succeed by providing products and business solutions that are research-proven to perform. With this in mind, we strive to continually measure the quality of our efforts on the improved wellness and performance that occurs in the animals under our customers’ care.
We’re proud to share our 2018 Sustainability Report that provides an overview of our environmental, technical, economic and social sustainability efforts. Read on to learn more about a few of our key sustainability efforts in 2018.
New Technology and Processes for Environmental Sustainability
We are continually monitoring our global footprint. We reduced our impact on the environment in 2018 with new processes and technology. A new pulse combustion system dryer at our Garner, Iowa, facility has greatly increased production capacity and efficiency, while our new water recovery process results in a much lower water vapor emission and utilizes significantly less fresh water. Our new optimal product sequencing saves eight hours in cleaning and idle time per 72-hour period and results in an 11-percent reduction in overall energy.
Cultivating Technical Sustainability
Our research and technical expertise help provide science-based recommendations to improve sustainable animal production. Each year, Zinpro scientists visit, train and educate animal producers, nutritionists and veterinarians on research-proven ways to improve animal wellness and performance.
In 2018, we doubled our lab space and added a blending room with improved ventilation. This provides safer and faster testing capabilities and reduced product storage times and warehouse needs.
Improving Economic Sustainability
Economic viability is the foundation of a sustainable organization. Production efficiency and waste minimization are key components.
In 2018, we implemented SAP software at all of our manufacturing facilities, allowing us to use real-time manufacturing data to maximize efficiency. With better product information, we can now ship our performance trace minerals directly from our facilities, which is timelier and more cost-effective than shipping from warehouses.
Most of the animal wellness and performance benefits from Zinpro Performance Minerals are associated with a significant economic return to the producer. For example, preventing one case of digital dermatitis in a growing heifer results in approximately 500 pounds (227 kg) more milk production during her first lactation. Due to the variety of benefits of feeding Zinpro Performance Minerals to dairy cattle, it is not uncommon to see a return on investment at or above 10-to-1. Research shows similar ROIs can be achieved by feeding performance trace minerals to other species as well.
Focusing on Social Sustainability
We are committed to improving people’s lives and positively contributing to society through research, charitable contributions, community service and educational activities.
The Anderson Foundation is committed to the humane, giving spirit exhibited by Zinpro’s founders, Dean and Mary Anderson. By strategic global partnering, the foundation focuses on alleviating poverty and preventable diseases, and educating and empowering young women and girls in impoverished communities around the world. We also presented scholastic awards to two young women and a scholarship to a third during their education in animal nutrition-related fields.
At Zinpro, we recognize that we have an environmental, social and economic responsibility to work towards sustainability in all that we do to protect our world for future generations and are actively engaged in doing so.
To learn more about our sustainability efforts, download our 2018 Sustainability Report.