Sustainability and AI emerge as key drivers for business competitiveness

During the III Sustainability Congress, industry experts discussed how sustainability and artificial intelligence are becoming essential factors for corporate competitiveness. While large corporations have largely integrated these elements, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face challenges in moving beyond mere regulatory compliance to using sustainability as a strategic management tool.

To support smaller businesses, the Sustainable SME Program, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund, aims to provide the necessary resources and information to help SMEs integrate environmental and social criteria into their business models.

In the food sector, Velarte has demonstrated significant progress in sustainable transformation. The company recently earned the EcoVadis Silver medal, placing it among the top 15% of companies globally for sustainability. Velarte has also achieved ISO 14001 certification, Zero Food Waste certification, and maintains the IFS Food Higher Level standard. Currently, the company utilizes 100% renewable electricity and has transitioned to 100% recyclable packaging.