Zweifel Wins the 2026 Promarca Brand Sustainability Award

Regenerative methods improve soil health

Through the six-year pilot project «It All Starts in the Soil,» Zweifel, together with Inoverde, fenaco, and AgroImpact, is promoting regenerative potato farming and, for the first time, making its climate impact measurable. Soil fertility and biodiversity are enhanced through conservative tillage, crop rotation, and cover crops. In return, producers receive a fixed climate premium regardless of the price of the raw material. As early as 2025, 1,500 metric tons of potatoes came from this cultivation method. At the same time, Zweifel is working with Florin AG to reduce emissions in the rapeseed oil supply chain—with the goal of achieving net-zero by 2050.

Nine projects submitted, one winner: Zweifel Chips & Snacks AG wins the 2026 Promarca Brand Sustainability Award for its pilot project on regenerative potato farming. Barilla Switzerland and Groupe Minoteries SA tied for second place, followed by Oatly Switzerland in third place.

CEO Christoph Zweifel explains the company’s commitment: «Swiss potatoes will continue to be of central importance to us in the future. That is why we are committed to farming methods that preserve fertile soil, promote biodiversity, and make agriculture more resilient to climate change. The Promarca Brand Sustainability Award encourages us to continue on this path and to invest together in a sustainable Swiss agriculture.»

Cédric Baier of Zweifel Chips & Snacks AG highlighted the strategic importance of this approach during the awards ceremony and in an interview with m&k:

«No one can do this alone. As a family-owned business, we think in terms of generations, not quarters. The soil is incredibly important to us because that’s where our raw materials come from—and we have to take care of it. We need a compensation system that enables farmers to take action, and as a brand, we have to pitch in and help fund it.»

In an interview with m&k, sustainability expert and jury member Stephan Hirschi also emphasizes the holistic approach:

«The integration into the entire value chain was outstanding at Zweifel. The project demonstrates that sustainability is not a marginal issue, but rather an integral part of economic efficiency and collaborative partnerships with suppliers. We were particularly impressed by the scalability: an entire ecosystem has been built here that not only benefits Zweifel, but from which other sectors and companies can also benefit.»

2nd place (tie): Barilla Schweiz AG and Groupe Minoteries SA

Barilla Switzerland relies on long-term direct contracts and fair premiums for its basil producers, thereby fostering reliable partnerships throughout the supply chain. At the same time, the project enhances transparency for consumers: A QR code on the pesto jar enables full traceability of the origin and harvest date.

Ronen Dimant of Barilla Switzerland emphasizes the philosophy behind it:

«The »Carta del Basilico’ and, above all, the transparency of our pesto jars won over the expert jury. A QR code on each jar allows you to immediately trace the fresh basil back to the specific farmer in the Parma region who grew it. This creates genuine transparency and lasting trust.”

Groupe Minoteries transforms previously unused byproducts, such as beer spent grain and wheat bran, into usable materials for food production. This process yields industrial-grade baking ingredients that can replace up to 12 percent of conventional raw materials, enhance nutritional value, and conserve resources. The project serves as a prime example of how a circular economy can be practically implemented along existing value chains.

3rd Place: Oatly Switzerland AG – First «Climate Solutions Company»

This approach combines specific measures along the value chain with long-term climate goals and makes sustainability an integral part of corporate and supply chain management.

Karim «Rami» Ibrahim of Oatly Switzerland on the award:

«We submitted a project that earned Oatly the distinction of being the first »Climate Solutions Company’ in the food industry. Sustainability is part of our DNA: We don’t just live by it—we bring it to consumers every single day. This award makes us incredibly proud and shows that we’re on an absolutely solid path—especially here in Switzerland, where we’ve only been on the market for five years.”

Franz Sprenger of Oatly Switzerland adds, with regard to industry collaboration:

«At a time when retail consolidation is on the rise, it is extremely important for brand owners to stand together, exchange ideas, and create new solutions and opportunities. Sustainability may have lost some of its significance in recent years, but a summer like this one shows just how important it is to act sustainably. We are very pleased to be part of the Promarca Group—we’re here to stay.»

The Branded Goods Industry as a Driver of the Sustainability Agenda

Through the Promarca Brand Sustainability Award, Promarca highlights what the Swiss branded goods industry accomplishes every day: concrete, measurable contributions throughout the entire supply chain—from raw material procurement and production to upstream and downstream processes. «Brands thrive on trust, and trust is built when companies take responsibility before anyone requires them to. The nine submitted projects demonstrate that our members do not merely manage their supply chains but continually redesign them with a responsible approach to resource use. The award highlights this commitment and demonstrates the contribution the branded goods industry makes to Switzerland as a business hub,» says Barbara Castegnaro, Director of Promarca.

Promarca has 104 member companies that represent more than 2,150 brands and support approximately 30,000 jobs in Switzerland. With total revenue of 14.5 billion Swiss francs in 2025, the association recorded an increase of 0.3 billion francs compared to the previous year.

For more information about the Promarca Brand Sustainability Award and the association, visit https://www.promarca.ch.