Food companies continue to invest in sustainability

Sustainability remains high on the agenda of Dutch businesses. The same applies to companies in the food industry. At the same time, challenges are increasing. High energy prices, grid congestion, and policy uncertainty are putting plans under pressure. Even so, the willingness to invest remains strong. Two-thirds of companies now see sustainable investments as a driver of innovation and competitiveness. This is evident from ING’s annual survey.

Sustainability increasingly embedded in policy

At 66 percent of companies, sustainability is now embedded in their business strategy. This is the highest level since ING launched the survey seven years ago. Nearly three-quarters expect to further step up their sustainability efforts in 2026.

Investments are primarily driven by companies’ own sustainability strategies. Reducing energy costs and complying with laws and regulations also play an important role. As a result, sustainability is increasingly viewed as a way to strengthen a company’s competitive position. Laurens de Vos, Director of Business Banking at ING Netherlands, says: “We are seeing sustainability investments accelerate because companies want to reduce their dependence on energy and lower high energy costs.”

Energy costs and grid capacity hold back plans

Concerns about the feasibility of sustainability plans are growing. According to 41 percent of companies, geopolitical developments, high energy prices, and inflation are putting pressure on both sustainability initiatives and day-to-day operations.

Limited capacity on the electricity grid is also becoming an increasing bottleneck. In addition, a large group of entrepreneurs expects international tensions to lead to higher inflation and interest rates. This has implications for the financing of sustainability projects.

Fewer subsidies available

Nearly eight out of ten companies consider sustainability essential. In addition, 91 percent see it as an important contribution to the strategic autonomy of the Netherlands and Europe. More than half describe sustainability as important or even essential for attracting employees.

Most investments are financed through companies’ own resources. This applies to 45 percent of businesses. Bank financing and leasing account for 25 percent. Only 14 percent make use of subsidies. A year earlier, that figure still stood at 26 percent.

According to ING, changing policies and the phase-out of subsidies are making it more difficult to plan long-term investments.

Ing.nl