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DUNI GROUP
Ready for growth when the
market recovers
2024 was a strategically important year for Duni Group. The market for hotels,
restaurants and cafés was tough. But with forward-looking acquisitions and
several new innovative products in its portfolio, Duni Group is ready to grow
when the market recovers.
The level of ambition for Duni Group’s business in 2024 was LESS PLASTIC IN THE PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
cautiously optimistic. However, the year was characterized To keep up to date with developments, the Duni Group also intro-
by weak demand due to the current economic situation. duced a range of new, innovative products. Sustainability and
The Group’s core market – Germany – declined by 7 percent where innovation often go hand in hand in these products; during the
restaurant visits and takeaway meals were concerned. Despite this, year the company developed napkins with a fully biobased binder,
the Group delivered decent earnings for the year, in fact the second launched a cardboard-based lid for coffee mugs, and supplied
best in its history, driven by the acquisitions made during the year. seaweed-based liquid carton coating to the restaurant market.
“We’d expected 2024 to be in line with the record year of 2023,” “It may not sound like much, but being able to replace fossil-based
says Robert Dackeskog, CEO of Duni Group. “All indications pointed materials with biobased ones is a big deal in our industry,” explains
to market recovery, but unfortunately this did not materialize. Con- Robert Dackeskog. “It also means we’re more than ready for new
sumers were simply holding on to their cash. However, during the year, legislation that is coming in this area. We need to be at the forefront of
we made a couple of acquisitions and invested in streamlining our sustainability to continue to run our business, now and in the future.”
distribution so that we’re well prepared for when demand returns.”
Duni Group also developed and introduced a carbon calculator
SETTING THE STAGE FOR GROWTH IN EUROPE AND ASIA during the year. It is used to help customers select the most climate-
A major investment announced during the year was Duni Group’s friendly solution for every situation. Duni Group also achieved its
plans for a new distribution center in Meppen, Germany. In addition, 2025 climate target with a 62-percent reduction in carbon intensity
the company made several strategic acquisitions in Europe and since 2019, thanks to investments in the Group’s paper mills and the
Asia, the aim being to consolidate its market position and set the factory in Thailand also purchasing fossil-free electricity.
organization up for growth.
WELL POSITIONED FOR 2025
“Europe is our home market, where we’re established and occupy a The fact that Mellby Gård increased its ownership in the Duni Group
strong market position that we’ll continue to build upon,” explains Robert in 2024 is proof that the Group is well positioned. Mellby Gård
Dackeskog. “Also, we see Asia as an increasingly important market for us, exceeded 50-percent ownership in May, and Duni Group formally
largely thanks to a growing middle class that enjoys eating out.” became a subsidiary of Mellby Gård.
“The increase in ownership indicates that Mellby Gård believes in
us and our future development,” says Robert Dackeskog. “They’ve
always been a stable, long-term owner that gives us the room to
manoeuvre we need to drive our company forward.”
Robert Dackeskog is also cautiously optimistic about 2025. With
the efforts made in the Group in 2024, focusing on streamlining,
strong regional hubs and sustainable innovations, Duni Group is well
positioned for when demand picks up.
Being able to replace fossil-based ROBERT DACKESKOG,
materials with biobased ones is a President and CEO
big deal in our industry
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