Latest news with #BenAndJerrys
Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Times
Unilever and Ben & Jerry's row set to intensify with new boss
The already frosty relationship between Unilever and Ben & Jerry's looks set to get colder with the appointment of a contentious new ice cream boss. Unilever has proposed Peter ter Kulve to head the Magnum Ice Cream Company, its soon-to-be spun-off ice cream division that will house Ben & Jerry's, Cornetto and Wall's. The appointment is expected to be approved by Unilever's board in July before a planned listing this year. The FTSE 100 consumer goods group is set to have its primary listing in Amsterdam, with secondary listings in New York and London. Ter Kulve's appointment could be seen as a lightning rod for tension. He is named in a lawsuit by Ben & Jerry's, which accused him of 'eye-popping' ignorance and of undermining the brand's longstanding commitment to political and social activism — a mission central to the Vermont-founded business since it was founded in 1978. It marks the latest flashpoint in an increasingly bitter dispute. In March Ben & Jerry's accused Unilever of ousting its chief executive, David Stever, over his stance on social issues, claiming the decision was taken without the board's consent. The brand said Stever had been penalised for upholding its 'social mission'. The rift dates back to 2021 when Ben & Jerry's announced it would no longer sell its products in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, stating the mode was incompatible with its values. That decision sparked a backlash, including pressure from pro-Israel investors, some of whom sold their Unilever shares. Unilever subsequently sold the brand's Israeli business to a local licensee, a move that triggered a lawsuit from Ben & Jerry's, which was settled in 2022. But relations deteriorated again last November when Ben & Jerry's filed a new legal complaint, alleging that Unilever was violating the terms of the 2022 agreement by trying to suppress the brand's political messaging. The lawsuit claimed Unilever had issued repeated threats to staff, including Stever, in an effort to stifle the brand's advocacy, including its support for Palestinian refugees. In a further escalation, Unilever threatened in April to halt the $5 million in annual funding that it provides to Ben & Jerry's non-profit organisation. The consumer goods group was said to have asked the Ben & Jerry's Foundation to agree to an expedited audit of its donations if it was to continue its funding of the non-profit organisation. Ben Cohen, a co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, was reported this year to be exploring a potential bid to buy the ice cream brand back. Cohen founded the company with his childhood friend Jerry Greenfield in a petrol station in Vermont in 1978 and sold it to the FTSE 100 consumer goods group in 2000. Ben & Jerry's was contacted for comment.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive-Unilever proposes Peter ter Kulve as CEO of listed ice cream unit
By Jessica DiNapoli and Richa Naidu LONDON (Reuters) -Unilever said on Tuesday that it has proposed its soon-to-be listed ice cream business will be led by Peter ter Kulve, whom the Ben & Jerry's board has accused in lawsuits of "eye-popping" ignorance and muzzling its social purpose policies. "Approval of the full board of The Magnum Ice Cream Company by the Unilever board is anticipated in July 2025," a Unilever spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Ter Kulve, who is currently the ice cream business' president, would become CEO of the Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) that will list in Amsterdam by the end of the year. TMICC is home to six of the world's top 10 ice cream brands, including Ben & Jerry's, Cornetto and Wall's, and generated turnover of 8.3 billion euros ($9.59 billion) in 2024. The news deals a blow to the independent board of Ben & Jerry's, which has in recent years been publicly at odds with ter Kulve and its parent company. A representative for the board did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Ben & Jerry's did not immediately respond for comment. ($1 = 0.8655 euros)
Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Exclusive: Unilever proposes Peter ter Kulve as CEO of listed ice cream unit
LONDON, June 17 (Reuters) - Unilever said on Tuesday that it has proposed its soon-to-be listed ice cream business will be led by Peter ter Kulve, whom the Ben & Jerry's board has accused in lawsuits of "eye-popping" ignorance and muzzling its social purpose policies. "Approval of the full board of The Magnum Ice Cream Company by the Unilever board is anticipated in July 2025," a Unilever spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Ter Kulve, who is currently the ice cream business' president, would become CEO of the Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) that will list in Amsterdam by the end of the year. TMICC is home to six of the world's top 10 ice cream brands, including Ben & Jerry's, Cornetto and Wall's, and generated turnover of 8.3 billion euros ($9.59 billion) in 2024. The news deals a blow to the independent board of Ben & Jerry's, which has in recent years been publicly at odds with ter Kulve and its parent company. A representative for the board did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Ben & Jerry's did not immediately respond for comment. ($1 = 0.8655 euros)
Sustainability Times
08-06-2025
- Business
- Sustainability Times
'From Ice Cream to Electricity': This U.S. Facility Converts Dessert Waste Into Clean Energy That Powers Thousands of Homes
IN A NUTSHELL 🍦 Ben & Jerry's is converting its organic waste into clean energy through a collaboration with PurposeEnergy . is converting its organic waste into clean energy through a collaboration with . 🔋 The high-tech facility in Vermont produces 8.75 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity annually, enough to power hundreds of homes. 🌿 The project reduces emissions, road traffic, and phosphorus pollution, supporting both environmental and economic sustainability. 🌍 The model could be a blueprint for other industries, showcasing the potential of industrial symbiosis in waste management. In a groundbreaking move, Ben & Jerry's is transforming its organic waste into a valuable resource, generating clean energy for Vermont's power grid. Through a partnership with PurposeEnergy, a cutting-edge anaerobic digestion facility in St. Albans is converting waste from the iconic ice cream brand into renewable energy. This initiative not only reduces waste but also aids in lowering emissions, setting a sustainable example for the industry. As the plant produces substantial renewable electricity annually, it underscores the potential of industrial symbiosis and renewable energy innovations. Turning Food Waste into Power The partnership between Ben & Jerry's and PurposeEnergy is a prime example of industrial symbiosis, where food production waste is turned into clean energy. This closed-loop system benefits both the environment and the local economy. Initiated by an agreement in 2021, the collaboration involves Ben & Jerry's supplying organic waste, including wastewater and out-of-spec products, to the facility. At the heart of this process is the high-tech anaerobic digestion facility in St. Albans, Vermont. Here, waste is piped directly from Ben & Jerry's factory to the digester, where it is broken down without oxygen. This decomposition produces methane-rich biogas, which is captured and used to generate electricity and heat. The plant is expected to produce 8.75 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity annually, enough to power hundreds of Vermont households. By feeding this electricity into the state's power grid, the facility contributes to a cleaner energy future. 'China Moves Decades Ahead': World's First Fusion-Fission Hybrid Reactor Set to Eclipse U.S. Efforts by 2030 Fueling the Future Beyond electricity, the plant also generates up to 45,000 million British thermal units of renewable thermal energy each year. This energy helps heat the digester and supports on-site operations, enhancing the plant's efficiency. Jenna Evans, PurposeEnergy's global sustainability manager, emphasized that this project reinforces Ben & Jerry's commitment to environmental sustainability, offering a long-term solution for organic waste management. By reducing road traffic, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and decreasing phosphorus pollution, the facility marks a significant step towards a more sustainable future. Other regional food producers, such as Casella and Evergreen Services, are also contributing waste to the plant, indicating its growing influence in the area. The plant's success could make the St. Albans Industrial Park an attractive hub for other food manufacturers seeking sustainable waste disposal solutions. 'US on High Alert': Russia's Nuclear Icebreaker Invasion of the Arctic Threatens to Redraw Global Trade and Power Maps Investment and Impact The PurposeEnergy facility was developed with funding from Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, a specialized investment manager focused on renewable energy. Officially opened in December 2024, the plant quickly began exporting electricity to the state grid. This initiative marks PurposeEnergy's most significant project since its acquisition by Quinbrook in April 2023. By integrating waste management and renewable energy production, the facility serves as a model for similar initiatives worldwide. If successful, this model could be replicated to help food producers reduce emissions and convert waste into clean energy. The facility not only highlights the potential for innovative waste solutions but also underscores the importance of strategic investments in renewable infrastructure. Japan Stuns the World with 310,000-Ton Oil Behemoth That Shatters Records and Reinvents the Future of Energy Transport Expanding the Model The success of the plant in St. Albans presents an opportunity to expand this model to other regions. Built on land from the Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation, the facility represents a new direction for waste management and renewable energy in Vermont. The integration of multiple food producers into this system enhances its sustainability and economic viability. As more companies join this initiative, the potential for reducing emissions and promoting clean energy grows. PurposeEnergy hopes that this centralized solution will inspire other food manufacturers to adopt similar practices. By providing a ready-made, sustainable waste disposal and energy system, the plant can serve as a blueprint for future projects. This approach could revolutionize how industries handle waste and contribute to a more sustainable world. The innovative collaboration between Ben & Jerry's and PurposeEnergy demonstrates the power of industrial symbiosis in creating sustainable solutions. By turning food waste into renewable energy, the facility not only reduces environmental impact but also boosts local economies. As other companies consider similar initiatives, what other industries could benefit from adopting such a sustainable approach to waste management? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (29)
Forbes
02-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
B&J Isn't Selling 'Free Palestine' Ice Cream, But Will End Israel Deal
Photo byGetty Images A widely-circulated image of a "Free Palestine" tub of Ben & Jerry's ice cream is faked, and was made using ChatGPT. The picture shows a carton of ice cream with two smiling children wearing kaffiyehs, and standing next to a plate of fish. Along with other faked images of pro-Palestine Ben & Jerry's packaging, including one labelled "From the River to Sea", it's been doing the rounds on social media - and attracting both approval and outrage. However, the image was in fact created and posted by pro-Palestinian Instagram user @iampocoloco. I just had ChatGPT create this because I thought it'd look sweet," he wrote. Fact-checking organization Polifact has run the image through programs that identify whether images have been generated with artificial intelligence. And, it found, WasItAI concluded that it was created with AI, with Hive Moderation finding that the change it was AI-generated was 98.2%. Meanwhile, fact-checker NewsGuard has checked through Ben & Jerry's menu of flavors and social media accounts, without finding any flavors referring to Palestine or Israel. However, this didn't stop internet users sharing the image. One, pro-Israel X user @VividProwess, asked "Is this real? Wow. Shame on Ben & Jerry's", and received 484,000 views and 10,000 likes in one day, also posting "Ben & Jerry's openly supporting terrorism now." Meanwhile, TikTok user shewritestales wrote: "The poets and novelists in Gaza - from beneath the fire, the rubble and the ruins - extend their deepest thanks to you. Ben & Jerry's, the human company, we are proud of your support and the image you've raised that cries out on our behalf." Ben & Jerry's ice cream is sold in Israel by a completely independent firm, Ben & Jerry's Israel, which took over full local ownership of the brand in 2022. However, said Ben & Jerry's in as statement last week, "We have been working to change this, and so we have informed our licensee that we will not renew the license agreement when it expires at the end of next year." It added: "We're a values-led company with a long history of advocating for human rights, and economic and social justice. We believe it is inconsistent with our values for our product to be present within an internationally recognized illegal occupation." Ben & Jerry's co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield have previously spoken out against the conflict and criticized the humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Last year, the firm sued its parent company, Unilever, claiming that Unilever had attempted to silence it. The company said it does plan to stay in Israel through a different, unspecified arrangement.
