Philosophy of sustainable agriculture Kernel is based on three principles

Usage of modern technologies
Among the main advantages of a modernized park of agricultural machinery are:

• Economical efficiency – optimal fuel consumption. As compared to standard equipment, diesel
  fuel consumption of powerful tractors and harvesters is reduced by 10-40% per hectare.
• Environmental friendliness – reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.
• Effectiveness – reduction of harvest costs. Modern harvesters make it possible to collect 5-7%
  more of the harvest from the field as compared to the techniques of the old model.

Introduction of precision farming

Application of minimum cultivation technologies
Our approach to agro-production is based on preserving and improving productivity of soils:

• Proper rotation of crops
• Usage of reasonable amount of fertilizer
• Preserving moisture in the soil

Kernel’s principles and standards of sustainable agriculture, as well as the priority areas for their development, are outlined in the Environmental Protection Policy.

Environmental Protection Policy

«GREEN OFFICE»

The priority of the sustainable development of Kernel is the increase of the ecological component of all assets. To minimize the negative impact on the environment, efficient usage of resources at the enterprises of the Company is being implemented the Green office program.

Saving heat and electricity:

• usage of energy-saving lamps
• functioning of the automatic lighting control system
• setting up a sleep mode on computers
• providing the office with energy saving equipment
• lowering the temperature of the heating equipment at weekends and during non-working hours.

Resource saving:

• gradual transition to electronic document flow
• setting up duplex printing functionality on printers
• making souvenir products from recycled materials.

Social activity of teams:

• holding “green” campaigns in the regions of the Company’s presence
• installation of containers for collecting batteries, waste paper, plastic bags, tetra pack cartons and plastic bottles
• placement of reminders about the importance of saving resources in offices
• refusal of disposable tableware
• usage of environmental household chemicals.

Our team is the most valuable asset of the Company! We support 10 000 employees in their professional and personal development, offer a competitive remuneration system, and create conditions that will contribute to each of us feeling happy at work.

Every year Kernel leads the rankings of the best employers. The leading positions of our company are confirmed by the results of the research of Korn Ferry Hay Group, the international agency, and the ratings of business media. Kernel also has the prestigious status of an accredited employer of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, thus certifying that the level of professionalism of our staff complies with high international standards.

By developing the team, we improve the Company and change Ukraine!

System of training and development of personnel

Continuous development and training of the team are key factors of Kernel’s success. The Company supports ambitions of the team, gives authority and creates conditions for professional development. Everyone has the greatest potential for gaining new knowledge, improving leadership skills and professional competencies – from training to corporate MBA programs and internships abroad. Thanks to the team of initiative leaders whose expertise is synchronized with the rapid development of the industry and intellectual technologies, the company implements large-scale projects and achieves strategic goals.

Remuneration system

Kernel offers its employees favorable working conditions in various regions of Ukraine and sets new standards in the industry:

• Competitive salary and a motivation system aimed at achieving corporate and individual goals
• Ensuring social security
• Responsible compliance with labor legislation
• Financing sports initiative sod staff
• Support in difficult living conditions (natural disasters, severe illness, death of an employee or a company’s pensioner)

Labor safety

Health and safety of employees is a priority for Kernel. We systematically raise the culture of labor protection on all assets of the Company.

• Conducting safety trainings
• Equipment at workplaces in accordance with regulatory requirements on labor safety
• Providing individual protective equipment at the site of production
• Carrying out periodic medical examinations
• Checking workplaces for compliance with labor protection standards by external organizations
• Continuous improvement of practices and procedures at all enterprises of the Company.

Kernel’s principles and standards for workplace safety and health, as well as the priority areas for their development, are outlined in the Workplace Health & Safety Policy.
Workplace Health and Safety Policy

Kernel is a key investor in regions of presence. Through our activities in the countryside, our team is fully responsible for the improvement and development of settlements. Kernel provides financial support to civic initiatives, implements socially important projects and contributes to the improvement of rural infrastructure. Our goal is to achieve a balance between the strategic interests of the Company and the needs of local communities.

Neighbourhood Policy

The basics of the Kernel business is legal liability and responsibility before the employees, partners and local communities in the regions of location. Based on the mission of leadership and corporate values, the company implements social projects in the following areas:

• Support of local institutions that are not well-funded by the state (kindergartens, health care facilities, cultural buildings)
• Support and development of village infrastructure
• Programs for youth
• Participation in organization of sporting and cultural events
• Social entrepreneurship

Kernel builds a simple and accessible system of interaction with local communities in the regions of presence, systematically informs about the principles and results of its activities and promptly provides feedback. For open and active dialogue, the company uses various communication channels:

• Corporative newspaper “To each household”/ «У кожен двір». Every month we tell about the Company’s activities, strategies and goals, and our social projects. We provide useful legal and everyday advice.
• Free hot line for appeals on urgent issues.
• Personal meetings. Representatives of the Company carry out individual receptions of citizens according to the established schedule.
• Mail communication. The Company receives written requests and comments that help us improve the quality of social investment and understand the needs of the community better.

Since 2014, the charitable foundation “Together with Kernel”has worked to systematize projects and increase the transparency of the Company’s social activity: providing targeted assistance and financing of projects within the framework of Kernel’s social initiatives. Each year, with the participation of representatives of local communities, the Foundation monitors the targeted use of funds and the effectiveness of implemented projects.

Kernel is the world’s leading and the largest in Ukraine producer and exporter of sunflower oil. We make every effort to ensure that our products meet the highest international quality and food/feed safety standards. Kernel Crushing plants have been certified according to the ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 standards, meaning the enterprise operates under the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system. Today, it is the only food safety system that has proven its effectiveness and is recognized by international organizations. Also, the enterprise uses control methods, established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a competent international body regulating food safety standards to protect consumers’ lives and health. Plants that produce bottled sunflower oil undergo additional certification according to the standards of IFS and BRSGS as well as business social responsibility compliance audits.

Food safety control is also carried out during the production and export of meal. Thus, the production facilities transshipment capacities and trade processes are subject to GMP+R 1.0 certification. The laboratories of enterprises are licensed under the ISO 17025 standard, which allows us to expand the range of  studies of raw materials and products.

Agricultural production is also subject to certification. In particular, cultivation and processing of corn is certified under the ISCC EU standard. In addition, Kernel is certified under the ISCC EU standard for soybeans, rape and wheat. In the fiscal years 2015 – 2017, the company successfully accredited grain supplies to the requirements of internal standards of China.

Thus, Kernel’s quality and food/feed safety assurance system covers the entire production and marketing cycle, from production and primary processing to distribution and supply. It undergoes a procedure of periodic audits by authorized third parties and is continuously controlled by the internal team of the Company which is responsible for the quality and safety of products.