“Sustainable procurement is not a choice, it’s a responsibility”

At Winclove Probiotics, sustainability is an integral part of our company. This vision is also firmly embedded in our procurement strategy. For us, sustainable procurement means making conscious choices for a healthier planet and a fairer supply chain. Trudie Slijkhuis, Head of Strategic Procurement, explains what this looks like in practice.

Procurement as a link in a sustainable ecosystem

Procurement plays a crucial role in achieving our sustainable ambitions. Trudie Slijkhuis: ‘I sometimes compare our procurement department to bees in nature. Without bees, nature comes to a halt. It’s the same with procurement: without it, we can’t produce or sell anything. Like bees and flowers, we rely on sustainable, reciprocal relationships with our suppliers. These relationships thrive on collaboration – because sustainability isn’t a solo journey; it takes committed partners moving in the same direction.

What does sustainable procurement look like in practice?

We look beyond price and lead time. Every product and supplier is evaluated from a broad perspective. Trudie: ‘We assess suppliers on four pillars: price, quality, sustainability, and ethics. Sustainable procurement means looking into where a product comes from, how it is made, and what happens to it after use. We use tools such as a life cycle analysis to make informed, responsible choices.’

Small steps also matter

The approach is not rigid, but pragmatic. Sometimes it’s not yet feasible to make a product more sustainable, but progress can still be made in other areas. ‘One supplier couldn’t reduce energy use in their production process, but together we made their office more sustainable by switching to LED lighting and smarter energy use. Those small steps are valuable too,’ says Trudie.

Not everything succeeds – and that’s okay

Sustainable procurement is a learning process, not a perfect path. At Winclove, we’re open about the challenges we face. ‘One example is our packaging,’ Trudie explains. ‘Our probiotics need to be sealed airtight and moisture-proof. At the moment, aluminum is the best option for that, but it has a high environmental impact. We are actively searching for alternatives, but we haven’t found them yet.’

Transportation presents another challenge. Some raw materials come from other continents, making transport unavoidable. Trudie: ‘We do what we can to minimize transport. Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we don’t – but we keep looking for better solutions.’

What are the benefits of sustainable procurement?

Sustainable procurement creates impact on multiple levels: it helps protect the environment, supports long-term efficiency, and reflects our commitment to doing business responsibly. ‘We believe in making conscious choices,’ says Trudie. ‘It’s encouraging to see that our partners, suppliers, and stakeholders increasingly share that mindset. Sustainable procurement also helps us anticipate future regulations—not because we have to, but because we want to lead by example.’ Ethical sourcing also contributes to fairer working conditions worldwide – which aligns with our identity as a B Corp.

Trudie: ‘For our partners, it means we work together based on trust, transparency, and shared values. Sustainability is becoming more important for end users, partners, and stakeholders. By working together on sustainability, we strengthen each other: we can innovate, reduce risks, and improve our market positions. We also share knowledge and insights to support one another.’

Whether you’re a business partner or a supply chain partner: collaborating with a sustainable buyer means building a future-proof business – with care for people and the planet.

Working together for a more sustainable supply chain

Sustainable procurement is not a trend or marketing tool, but a strategic choice with long-term impact. Trudie: ‘It starts with awareness. By simply getting started, working together, and also acknowledging what isn’t working yet, we move forward. Small steps ultimately make a big difference.’