SUSTAINABILITY is an everyday part of our business strategy. Our goal is to offer consumers ice cream that is produced responsibly and with the smallest possible footprint. We value the history of ice cream production in Estonia and support Estonian culture.
In developing our strategy, we have focused on the most important areas for us from the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda adopted at the 2015 UN Summit (Document no.).
Our ice creams are not just a treat, but a true experience! We love flavors that bring joy, but we also understand that today’s conscious consumer is looking for more. Therefore, we focus on health and responsible choices in our product development.
Most consumers prefer traditional cream-based ice cream.
Clean, high-quality, and environmentally friendly food comes from nearby. That’s why we use Estonian cream in Balbiino’s ice cream production.
In product development, we also consider the needs of various consumer groups with different preferences.
Balbiino’s product range includes, in addition to cream-based ice creams:
A healthy lifestyle is not only about nutrition — physical activity is just as important. Developing exercise habits from an early age is crucial, which is why Balbiino supports various children’s sports events.
Our employees’ well-being is also essential. Our slogan is “Making happiness!” — and to ensure that joy reaches our customers, we offer employees affordable opportunities for sports and exercise.
To fight climate change, we all need to contribute to reducing CO2 footprints, and we have implemented significant changes in our energy use.
Balbiino uses nuclear energy, which has a lower CO2 emission footprint.
We aim to fully switch to energy-efficient LED lighting in all our facilities, greatly reducing electricity use.
For heating, we use environmentally friendlier gas and reuse the energy generated in cooling processes to heat water. In our ice cream storage freezers, we use an energy storage system to maintain temperature efficiently.
As a food manufacturer, we are committed to minimizing food waste. Technological by-products from production are redirected to agriculture as animal feed.
In recent years, the food industry has focused heavily on packaging innovation, especially to promote the circular economy and meet sustainability goals.
In packaging, we use only mono-materials, making them easier to recycle. For Onu Eskimo and Balbiino impulse products, we use mono-material packaging containing 50% recycled plastic.
For cardboard and wooden ice cream sticks, we work with FSC-certified suppliers, thus making our contribution to supporting responsible forestry.
Ice cream production requires significant water, both in the product and for equipment cleaning. We have invested in specialized technologies and equipment to reduce water usage in our ice cream production.
RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION (SDG 12)
Our products, processes, and services are high-quality and comply with strict food industry standards.
Balbiino’s ice cream production is certified under the international BRCGS Food Safety and Quality Management standard, ensuring consistent product quality and reliability for both sellers and consumers.
As a member of the Estonian Food Industry Association, responsible and sustainable food production is part of our daily life.
We also set high demands for the raw materials we use:
To combat climate change, we must all help reduce CO2 emissions, and we have introduced significant energy-saving measures. All factory and production lighting operates on energy-efficient LED lamps, greatly reducing electricity usage.
We use eco-friendly gas for heating and reuse cooling energy to heat water. For storing Onu Eskimo ice creams, we use energy-saving temperature-controlled freezers, allowing flexible and eco-friendly electricity usage.
It is said that those who forget the past, live without a future.
That’s precisely why preserving Estonian ice cream culture and heritage is important to us at Balbiino.
Thus, we contribute to preserving Estonian culture as a whole, since food culture is a part of that heritage.
Onu Eskimo ice cream series is a symbol of Estonian ice cream culture. These ice creams are dedicated to Evald Rooma, Estonia’s first ice cream maker, also known as Onu Eskimo, one of the most notable figures in Estonian food culture history. Most Estonians know him by his nickname, Uncle Eskimo.
Onu Eskimo ice creams are inspired by Rooma’s original recipes. This beloved Estonian ice cream series combines long-standing ice cream traditions with modern flavors, made from pure local cream, offering both nostalgia and contemporary notes — bringing generations together.
The legendary Onu Eskimo left Balbiino not only his ice cream recipes but also his machines, which are displayed in Estonia’s Ice Cream Museum, dedicated to local ice cream production. At Balbiino’s factory, we have created an exhibition that tells the fascinating story of Estonian ice cream production and the ice cream world’s most important events — from the world’s first ice cream to the latest trends. Special museum lessons and educational programs enrich children’s knowledge of ice cream culture and heritage.
As an Estonian-owned company, we feel responsible for supporting Estonian culture. We have been long-time supporters of Saaremaa Opera Days, specifically supporting performances for children, because we believe in introducing culture to future generations. We also support the children’s opera series “Friends with Opera” initiated by Ain Anger — performances that help children and youth approach quality culture in an understandable way.
Moreover, we support traditional Estonian song and dance festivals, as they are an essential part of our cultural heritage.
