Earth Day 2025 – Meet Michael Verschuere

On April 22nd, we celebrate Earth Day at Nactarome. We also continue profilng the passionate people behind our business, and who better to introduce you to today than Michael Verschuere, Operations Director at Nactarome NV in Belgium.

From overseeing the installation of solar panels at our Schoten production site to introducing electric vehicle chargers, Michael is helping us turn sustainability goals into action. These initiatives are part of our broader commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and investing in cleaner energy across the Group.

How long have you been with Nactarome & what’s your current role?

“I started in January 2024 (just over a year ago) as Operations Director at Nactarome NV in Schoten. In this role, I am responsible for the day-to-day operations and overall performance, as well as the long-term development and continuous improvement of the plant. This position introduced me to the shift towards electrification as one of the key levers for decarbonization.”

What does sustainability mean for Nactarome’s operations?

“We only need to open the newspaper to see it: extreme weather events are increasingly becoming the norm. The impact of climate change is no longer something abstract — it’s here and now. As a father of three children, I feel a deep responsibility to contribute to a livable planet for their future. For me, sustainability is not a buzzword, but a necessity. That’s why I’m proud that, through my role at Nactarome NV, I can contribute to concrete sustainability projects, such as the installation of solar panels and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles at our site in Schoten. Small steps, big impact — and most importantly: in the right direction.”

You have recently overseen the installation of solar panels and electric car chargers in Belgium – can you tell us more about this initiative? What sparked the project? Were there any difficulties in bringing it to life?

“The initial driver was the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which puts Europe on track to achieve a fully decarbonised building stock by 2050. Rather than spreading the mandatory investments over time, we chose to carry out all required upgrades ahead of schedule — fulfilling the obligations set for 2035 already today. At the same time, we took the opportunity to completely renovate and insulate the roof according to the latest standards, resulting in improved energy efficiency and lower heating and cooling costs.”

What impact do you expect from this project (e.g. carbon footprint, energy efficiency)? How do these types of installations contribute to our 2025 sustainability roadmap?

“The investment yields an IRR of over 15%, while reducing our carbon footprint by 28 tons of CO₂ per year — equivalent to 24 round-trip flights from Berlin to New York annually! In addition, all company cars will be by 2026 either fully electric or plug-in hybrids. We also actively encourage our employees to commute by bicycle, and have installed charging stations on-site to support e-bikes as well.”

What’s next on the horizon for sustainable operations in Belgium? What suggestions do you have for Nactarome as a Group?

“One of our upcoming challenges is reducing the plant’s wastewater, both in volume and in composition. Since we discharge to a government-operated treatment facility and regulations are continually tightening, minimizing our wastewater is high on our agenda. I’m pleased to work for a group that prioritizes reducing its environmental footprint — whether it’s energy use, raw material consumption, or water management. This focus on sustainability drives all kinds of initiatives and the introduction of new technologies, which also enhance production efficiency and process quality.”

We are fully committed to embedding sustainability into every aspect of Nactarome’s operations. Read our inaugural 2023 Sustainability Report for an in-depth look at our approach.

Contact

Get in touch at info@nactarome.com to learn more about how we can support your colour, taste and flavour development projects or have a look through our website.