Orsenigo, July 25th, 2025 – ICAM’s seventh Sustainability Report highlights an increasingly traceable supply chain, concrete commitment to climate adaptation in the countries of origin, the central role of people, and a business model that looks to the future through the dual environmental and digital transition.
- 74% of cocoa is purchased from direct or integrated supply chains, for a more transparent and responsible supply chain.
- Over 27,000 plots mapped in the Countries of Origin, in line with the new European Regulation against deforestation (EUDR).
- 95% of the land already compliant with “deforestation-free” criteria, thanks to thorough fieldwork.
- 600 families involved in Uganda in the pilot project “Sustainable Farming,” with 86% adopting organic fertilization practices.
- 30% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emission intensity compared to 2020, thanks to investments in energy efficiency and renewable sources.
- 93% of primary packaging is already recyclable or compostable, in line with eco-design goals and environmental impact reduction.
ICAM Cioccolato, a family-owned company now in its third generation, is today an international benchmark in the world of chocolate and cocoa semi-finished products, with a presence in 75 countries and a production model that combines advanced technologies, a short supply chain, and direct control of the origins. Its entrepreneurial vision is focused on reating shared value and innovation, respecting people and the planet. With its seventh Sustainability Report, ICAM makes tangible a long-standing commitment: building a traceable supply chain, valuing the work of communities in the Countries of Origin, and growing consistently with its values.
“The Sustainability Report reflects the continuity of our commitment, characterized by the awareness of a current and intergenerational responsibility that requires collaboration at all levels and culture, understood as both competence and sharing of values. 2024 has been a year of growth and consolidation for ICAM; we have implemented transformative governance activities, strengthening the role of sustainability in business decisions, and continued to carry out initiatives that not only protect the environment but also promote the well-being of people throughout the entire supply chain.”
Sara Agostoni, Chief Sustainability Officer of ICAM Cioccolato
Sustainable evolution and conscious supply chain
Starting from an approach that — since its inception — has seen the company committed to developing a solid network of relationships with farming cooperatives (and farmers themselves), ICAM has built an ecosystem based on shared values put into practice and defined within an Ethical Code and a Code of Conduct for Cocoa Suppliers. These are drafted in accordance with major regulations and best practices on human rights and corporate social responsibility, ensuring transparent and responsible management of human and commercial relationships. Thanks to this approach, of the over 30,000 tons of cocoa purchased in 2024, 74% comes from short and integrated supply chains, a choice that allows direct control over the quality of raw materials.
Traceability of the supply chain (and its ethical management) and cocoa quality are the cornerstone elements through which ICAM operates in its operational branches in Uganda and Peru, as well as in over 20 sourcing supply chains In these countries, the company strengthens responsible supply chain management by adopting ethical and environmental certification systems such as Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, and Organic.. These protocols, covering 64% of cocoa produced by ICAM today, are key in verifying compliance with environmental and social standards, improving quality and productivity, and ensuring fair economic recognition for producers through premiums or higher prices.
Furthermore, in compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), ICAM has adopted a structured approach to forest protection. In 2024, an important geolocation project of all strategic suppliers was completed, covering over 27,000 agricultural plots in the countries of origin, aiming to demonstrate adherence to the “deforestation-free” principle for the entire supply chain. This thorough land mapping work has already produced concrete and positive results: 95% of mapped plots are compliant with EUDR criteria, with 5% currently under specific review and, where possible, mitigation plans will be implemented.
Evolution of the “Sustainable Farming” pilot project
ICAM’s commitment to creating sustainable supply chains for the environment and people found practical expression in 2022 through the pilot project “Sustainable Farming for a Climate Resilient Livelihood of Cocoa Farmers in Uganda.” Carried out in collaboration with an international client (Corpeq BV, SanoRice Holding BV), the NGO Solidaridad East & Central Africa, and co-financed by the Fund for Responsible Business (FVO) and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the project has supported and trained over 600 Ugandan farming families managing 310 hectares of cocoa plantations across 31 villages in the Bundibugyo district. With a total duration of four years, the project aims to implement an inclusive and resilient agricultural development model, where improved cocoa quality also translates into greater autonomy, economic stability, and social cohesion for the communities involved.
Thanks to the optimization of the agroforestry system—which combines cocoa cultivation with shade trees, complementary crops, and native vegetation—it was possible to offer farmers knowledge and tools to implement practices aimed at achieving a series of environmental and agronomic benefits.. These include better soil protection, increased natural fertility, and biodiversity, elements that have also had a significant impact on productivity growth and, consequently, on the possibility of diversifying the income sources of farming families and increasing food security.. Two years after the project began, the results achieved have been significant, with figures encouraging the company to continue in this direction and defining the Sustainable Farming project as a virtuous and replicable model. To date , 86% of farmers involved in the project have correctly adopted and applied organic fertilization techniques, 66% have adopted proper tree spacing, and 70% have implemented pruning techniques transferred to allow proper plant growth and a 21% reduction in pest and disease infestations.
The training courses were held by a group of 27 agronomists from ICAM Chocolate Uganda, who worked directly with farmers in the daily management of their plantations and promoted knowledge exchange among the farmers themselves. In addition to technical aspects, the course also covered topics related to intercultural communication, community involvement, the use of digital tools for monitoring, and initiatives aimed at promoting social inclusion.
Moreover, in 2024, over 98% of the farmers involved in the Sustainable Farming project joined a VSLA (Village Savings and Loan Association), a key tool for promoting inclusion, autonomy, and well-being, with a positive and lasting social impact. These are self-managed and self-funded groups that pool members’ savings for emergencies, equipment investments, family expenses (such as school fees), and facilitate access to credit, thereby strengthening networks of solidarity and mutual trust.
People at the heart of the ICAM model
ICAM’s approach places people at the center, starting with those who grow and process cocoa in the Countries of Origin. The goal is to create a fair, dignified work environment that offers opportunities for growth, stability, and widespread well-being.
In 2025, ICAM celebrates the 15th anniversary of the founding of ICAM Chocolate Uganda, a project that now employs 183 people in addition to the 422 working at the Orsenigo headquarters. In Uganda, with the goal of fostering deep-rooted change, the company has placed significant importance on empowering women in plantation management and recognizing their role as key drivers of change.. In Ugandan cocoa communities, it is estimated that over 70% of farming activities are carried out by women — a figure that contrasts sharply with their underrepresentation in decision-making roles.. To address this, ICAM has developed active policies to promote female leadership, starting with the governance of farmers’ groups. As part of this transformative effort, the Sustainable Farming project introduced the “Gender Action Learning System” methodology, implemented by the NGO Solidaridad.. This approach promotes shared financial planning and awareness between men and women, with the aim of rebalancing roles within families and communities, improving financial resource management, and fostering gender equality as a driver of community development. As a result, all Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) are now required to have at least one of the three leadership positions (president, secretary, treasurer) filled by a woman.
People’s well-being is also a top priority at the Italian headquarters, where ICAM is committed to offering its employees satisfying working conditions. Attention to work-life balance is one of the pillars outlined in the company’s supplementary agreement, distinguishing ICAM in the marketplace. Internal training is another key avenue through which ICAM nurtures employee growth. In 2024, the company delivered over 20,380 hours of internal training, with modules focused on safety, soft skills, technological innovation, and sustainability.
ICAM’s commitment to people extends beyond the workplace to the broader Como region and local communities. In 2024 alone, the company donated over €1.1 million worth of food products to non-profit organizations, charities, and associations focused on fighting poverty, promoting education, and supporting inclusion.. This figure reflects ICAM’s ongoing and systemic commitment to sustainability as a shared and participatory responsibility.
Product integration, positive impact on processes and technologies: ICAM’s dual transition
ICAM’s commitment to environmental sustainability is also reflected in its industrial choices. The Orsenigo plant is a model of efficiency, thanks to a trigeneration system that simultaneously produces electricity, heat, and chilled water.. In 2024, 77% of the plant’s energy needs were met by this internal source, while the remaining portion was purchased from the national grid and comes from renewable sources.
Through targeted investments in energy efficiency and industrial innovation, ICAM has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emission intensity by 30% compared to 2020. Continuous monitoring, supported by Industry 4.0 technologies and an integrated sustainability approach, allows the company to track energy consumption per ton produced and its overall carbon footprint.
At the same time, packaging is evolving toward sustainability: in 2024, 93% of primary packaging was recyclable (1,039 tons), while the use of certified compostable materials increased by 38% cutting traditional plastic use by 73 tons. Waste recovery systems have also been strengthened, thanks to mapping of critical points and targeted interventions, such as reducing residues from allergen-cleaning processes.
For ICAM, innovation means growing responsibly, combining environmental sustainability with technological advancement. The “double transition”—environmental and digital—is now an essential path toward building a future where quality, efficiency, and respect for the planet go hand in hand. From the development of resilient agricultural models and reduction of industrial impact to predictive analytics and digitalization of production processes, every decision reflects ICAM’s deep-rooted commitment to being a company driven by a culture of value that unites people, the territory, and a global vision.
