DR Flavors & Ingredients maintains ties with retired employees and promotes initiatives to keep them connected

1 de Outubro de 2026

The Retirees Club brings together around 250 former employees and their spouses for gatherings, trips and social activities, and has been doing so for more than 25 years 

The image shows former employees and their spouses at a Retirees Club gathering.
Former employees and their spouses at a Retirees Club gathering.

São Paulo, September 2026 – For many people, retirement marks the end of a professional chapter. At DR Flavors & Ingredients, a century-old company specializing in the development of flavors, extracts and ingredients for the food, beverage and supplements industries, retirement does not mean the end of the relationship with the company. For more than 25 years, the company has maintained the Retirees Club, an initiative created to recognize the contributions of professionals who were part of its journey and maintain connections with them after their careers come to an end. 

Created in 1999, the Club began with a simple initiative. When they decided that retirees should also receive the traditional Christmas gift baskets, Dietrich and Rodolfo Hufenüssler, sons of the company’s founders and the executives responsible for the company at the time, turned the delivery into an opportunity for a reunion. Over the years, these gatherings became more frequent and evolved into a permanent integration program. 

Today, the Club has around 250 members, including former employees and their spouses. Its activities include monthly gatherings, trips, lectures and other events, creating opportunities for former colleagues to stay in touch, share experiences and keep up with the company’s latest developments. 

The initiative takes on added significance on October 1, National and International Day of Older Persons, an occasion that also recalls the creation of Brazil’s Statute of Older Persons. Amid discussions about longevity, age diversity and new opportunities for social participation after retirement, the program represents a way to strengthen the relationship between the company and its former employees even after their careers have ended. 

More than a benefit, the Club recognizes the contributions of those who helped build DR and preserves relationships formed throughout their professional lives. At the same time, it allows retirees to keep up with the company’s transformation, projects and new directions, maintaining a relationship that extends beyond the workplace.

The company’s commitment to professionals who have been part of its history was recognized in 2025, when the project “Retirees Club – Building Stories, Honoring the Legacy” received the Prêmio Ser Humano SC, presented by ABRH-SC (Brazilian Association of Human Resources – Santa Catarina Chapter) in the ESG category.

Q&A | Retirees Club and DR Flavors & Ingredientes

What is the DR Aromas & Ingredientes Retirees Club?

It is an initiative created in 1999 to maintain the company’s relationship with retired professionals who were part of its journey. Today, the Club brings together approximately 250 former employees and their spouses.

Who can participate in the Retirees Club?

The Club is open to retired former employees of DR Aromas & Ingredientes and their spouses, who take part in integration activities organized by the initiative.

What activities does the Retirees Club organize?

The program includes monthly gatherings, trips, lectures, and other social activities, providing opportunities for participants to connect, spend time together, and reconnect with former colleagues.

When was the DR Retirees Club created?

The Club was created in 1999. The initiative began with the decision to include retirees in the company’s traditional Christmas gift basket program and later evolved into a permanent relationship-building initiative.

Why does DR maintain a Retirees Club?

The Club is a way of recognizing the contributions of professionals who helped build the company, preserving relationships and maintaining a connection with them even after retirement.

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DR Flavors & Ingredients showcases its history and innovation at FIESC’s Industry Space

18 de Setembro de 2026

DR Flavors & Ingredients showcases its history and innovation at FIESC’s Industry Space

Company participates in the FIESC System Board Meeting, which brings together around 120 leaders from Santa Catarina’s industrial sector Leonardo Zipf presents DR Flavors & Ingredients at FIESC Board Meeting DR Flavors & Ingredients is the featured company for September at the Industry Space, an initiative of the Federation of Industries of the State of Santa Catarina (FIESC) that each month showcases the history and activities of an industry affiliated with the organization and represented on the FIESC System Board. The event was held on September 18, from 9 a.m. to noon, with the participation of around 120 representatives from different segments of Santa Catarina’s industrial sector. The invitation for DR to showcase its story in the prominent space at FIESC’s headquarters in Florianópolis reinforces a relationship built over decades, which is now also reflected in the involvement of the company’s leaders with FIESC. Leonardo Fausto Zipf, Chairman of DR’s Board of Directors, serves as Vice President for Strategic Affairs at the Federation, while Rosemeri Francener, the company’s Executive President, chairs FIESC’s Food and Beverage Industry Council. During the Board Meeting, Leonardo Zipf presented the company for approximately 20 minutes, covering its history, international presence, research and development structure, technologies applied to ingredients, and growth strategies. “It is a great pleasure to present DR Flavors & Ingredients in this space and share a story that began in 1925 and has grown into a century-long journey. More than honoring everything we have built over generations, this moment is an opportunity to highlight the strength and innovative capabilities of our team, which have enabled us to evolve from a small company into a group with a global presence,” said Zipf. After the meeting, participants visited the Industry Space, where DR showcased elements that help tell its story, along with technologies and innovations currently used in the development of ingredients and solutions. “Talking about DR Flavors & Ingredients means talking about a Brazilian company that, over more than 100 years, has built a global presence in more than 70 countries. Our strength lies in combining close customer relationships, quality, technology and a highly specialized team. We are a flexible company with strong production capabilities and deep technical expertise, constantly seeking new technologies to anticipate market trends and develop the best solutions. This is how we continue to evolve and fulfill our purpose of transforming the world of food,” said Rosemeri. The company’s participation in the event comes at a time of transformation for DR. In 2025, the company celebrated its 100th anniversary and began a new chapter under the DR Flavors & Ingredients brand, reinforcing its position as a global group specializing in flavors and solutions. Today, it operates in eight countries, with six manufacturing facilities, six Research Centers and an Advanced Innovation and Logistics Center in Europe, and has a presence in more than 70 markets. DR Flavors & Ingredients Executive President Rosemeri Francener and DR Chairman of the Board Leonardo Zipf with FIESC President Gilberto Seleme (center) and the organization’s First Vice President, André Armin Odebrecht. A relationship built over decades On March 24, 2017, Dietrich and Rodolfo Hufenüssler received a commemorative plaque during FIESC’s tribute to the company. DR Flavors & Ingredients’ participation in the Industry Space continues the company’s longstanding relationship with FIESC, marked by recognition of the company’s history and its leaders. In 2016, brothers Dietrich and Rodolfo Hufenüssler had their entrepreneurial journey highlighted in an article published in Indústria & Competitividade magazine. The following year, on March 24, 2017, DR was honored by FIESC with a commemorative plaque presented to Dietrich and Rodolfo Hufenüssler. On the occasion, a special edition of the program Histórias da Indústria de Santa Catarina was also produced, dedicated to the company’s history. In 2019, Leonardo Zipf received the Santa Catarina Industrial Merit Award, presented by FIESC. In 2024, the executive received the Order of Industrial Merit from the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), upon FIESC’s nomination. Throughout this history, the relationship between DR and FIESC has accompanied different moments in Santa Catarina’s industrial sector and the company’s evolution. The company’s presence at the Industry Space now represents a continuation of this relationship and creates an opportunity to share its history, transformations and the paths shaping the company’s future with a new generation of industry leaders.

DR Flavors & Ingredients Receives Empresa Cidadã and Empresa Amiga Recognition Through the Novos Caminhos Program in Jaraguá do Sul 

14 de Setembro de 2026

DR Flavors & Ingredients Receives Empresa Cidadã and Empresa Amiga Recognition Through the Novos Caminhos Program in Jaraguá do Sul

Recognitions highlight the company’s participation in a Santa Catarina Court of Justice program that promotes professional development and workforce inclusion for young people living in institutional care Corporate Communications The Empresa Cidadã certification recognizes DR’s participation in the Novos Caminhos Program. DR Flavors & Ingredients received the Empresa Cidadã and Empresa Amiga certificates on September 10 in Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina, during a ceremony held as part of the Novos Caminhos Program. The event recognized adolescents who completed the program, as well as companies, organizations and professionals who contribute to the participants’ development. Representatives from the judiciary, Public Prosecutor’s Office, business sector, educational institutions and partner organizations from the judicial districts of Jaraguá do Sul and Guaramirim attended the event. The Empresa Cidadã certification recognizes DR’s participation in the Novos Caminhos Program, an initiative created in 2013 by the Santa Catarina Court of Justice (TJSC), the Santa Catarina Association of Judges (AMC) and the Federation of Industries of Santa Catarina (FIESC). The program supports the education and development of children, adolescents and young people living in institutional care, creating opportunities for workforce inclusion through education, professional training and initiatives that connect participants with the world of work. DR’s relationship with the program began in 2022, when the company also received the Empresa Cidadã recognition in Jaraguá do Sul for joining Novos Caminhos. At the time, the company, which was still operating under the name Duas Rodas, was recognized by FIESC for its involvement in the initiative. In 2026, the partnership reached new milestones. In April, adolescents and professionals from the Novos Caminhos Program in the Itapocu Valley took part in a technical visit to DR’s headquarters in Jaraguá do Sul. The visit introduced participants to the company’s history, values and operations, as well as its ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) guidelines, internal apprenticeship program and professional development opportunities. The group also toured manufacturing areas and spoke with employees about careers, apprenticeships and how the industry operates. The experience brought the adolescents closer to the day-to-day reality of the industrial sector and helped broaden their understanding of professional opportunities available in the region. The visit also strengthened the connection between the Novos Caminhos Program and the business sector, an important pathway for bringing young people closer to the world of work. The Empresa Amiga certificate recognizes DR’s participation in volunteer initiatives and community engagement activities. This recognition also has a precedent: in 2022, the company was honored by FIESC as an Empresa Amiga for its participation in the Eu Voluntário program, developed by the Corporate Volunteer Center of the Business Association of Jaraguá do Sul (ACIJS). For DR, the two recognitions reinforce a track record of participating in initiatives that connect the company with the communities where it operates. Social engagement is part of a broader approach to development that involves building connections with people, institutions and different sectors of society, strengthening relationships and helping expand opportunities. The Empresa Amiga certification recognizes DR’s participation in volunteer initiatives and community engagement. Novos Caminhos Program supports adolescents’ development At the ceremony in Jaraguá do Sul, 38 adolescents received certificates recognizing their completion of professional training courses, personal development workshops and citizenship-related activities. The event also honored partner companies and organizations with the Empresa Amiga and Empresa Cidadã seals. Created in 2013, the Novos Caminhos Program has reached 9,500 children, adolescents and young people across Santa Catarina, with 17,800 enrollments in basic education and professional training courses and 2,500 referrals to the workforce, including formal employment, internships and industrial apprenticeship programs. Q&A | Citizen Company and Friendly Company by DR Aromas & Ingredients What did DR Aromas & Ingredients receive? The company received the Citizen Company and Friendly Company certifications from the Novos Caminhos Program. How does DR contribute to the Novos Caminhos Program? Through initiatives focused on education, professional training, connection with the job market, and professional development opportunities for young people. Where did the recognition ceremony take place? The ceremony was held in Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina. When did DR’s relationship with the Novos Caminhos Program begin? The partnership began in 2022, when the company received the Citizen Company recognition. Why did DR receive the recognitions? Because it participates in initiatives that promote professional inclusion, training, volunteering, and community engagement.

Itapocu Committee celebrates 25 years with discussions on water management and conflicts over water use 

14 de Setembro de 2026

Itapocu Committee celebrates 25 years with discussions on water management and conflicts over water use

71st Ordinary General Assembly brought together representatives of government, civil society and the productive sector at DR Flavors & Ingredients in Jaraguá do Sul Assembly brought together representatives from government, civil society, the productive sector, and water users. The challenges of managing water resources in Santa Catarina, conflicts over water use and the need to strengthen environmental monitoring were among the main topics discussed at the 71st Ordinary General Assembly of the Itapocu River Basin and Adjacent Basins Management Committee, held this Thursday (10) at the headquarters of DR Flavors & Ingredients in Jaraguá do Sul. The meeting also marked the 25th anniversary of the Itapocu Committee. The assembly brought together representatives of government, civil society, the productive sector and water users to discuss issues that directly affect water management in the region. These included recommendations from an operational audit conducted by the State Court of Auditors of Santa Catarina (TCE-SC) on water resources policy and governance in the state, as well as a potential conflict over water use in the municipality of São Bento do Sul. During the assembly, the Committee presented the main findings of the audit conducted by TCE-SC, which assessed the implementation of the instruments established under the State Water Resources Policy. Another highlight was the situation involving water withdrawal from the Rio Vermelho in São Bento do Sul. The Committee has been monitoring the case since July to better understand the conditions surrounding water withdrawal and issues related to water-use permits. Water quality was also on the agenda. The Committee received a request from the municipality of São João do Itaperiú to assess the possibility of supporting water quality monitoring in the Itapocu River, including the definition of sampling points, frequency and parameters for physicochemical and microbiological analyses. DR presents water management and conservation practices The host of the assembly presented to Committee members the initiatives carried out at the company’s headquarters for water treatment, monitoring, and responsible use. As host of the assembly, DR Flavors & Ingredients presented Committee members with some of the initiatives implemented at its headquarters for water treatment, monitoring and efficient use. All water used in operations is withdrawn from the Itapocu River and treated at the Water Treatment Plant (WTP), which has a capacity of 100 cubic meters per hour. 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The facility has 38 water meters distributed throughout the manufacturing complex and is replacing older equipment with digital meters connected to a telemetry system. To date, 32% of the meters have been replaced. The technology makes it possible to monitor consumption, identify potential waste and respond more quickly to changes in key indicators. The monitoring methodology is integrated into the company’s management indicators and is beginning to be shared with other DR units. The goal is to extend the same culture of monitoring and critical analysis to operations in Northeast Brazil, São Bernardo do Campo, Chile, Colombia and Mexico. DR also presented its wastewater treatment infrastructure, which has a capacity of approximately 35 cubic meters per hour. According to the company, all wastewater generated by operations is sent for treatment before being discharged back into the river, achieving 98% efficiency in organic load removal. This rate is higher than the 80% required under Brazilian legislation. A relationship built alongside the basin DR’s participation in the Itapocu Committee dates back to the committee’s own history. Located at the confluence of the Itapocu and Jaraguá rivers, the company is a member of the Committee as a water user and, in 2001, received the Certificate of Merit for Management of the Itapocu River Basin. As it celebrates its 25th anniversary, one of the Itapocu Committee’s key roles remains bringing different sectors together to discuss water-related challenges. For DR, hosting the commemorative assembly reinforces a relationship built over the years and the company’s commitment to preserving the region’s water resources. Terminology and company naming were aligned with DR’s current English-language website, which uses DR Flavors & Ingredients and frames water conservation and the rational use of natural resources within its environmental and sustainability strategy. Q&A | Itapocu Committee and DR Aromas & Ingredients What did the Itapocu Committee celebrate? The Itapocu Committee celebrated 25 years since its creation during its 71st Ordinary General Assembly. How was the assembly held? The assembly brought together representatives from government, civil society, the productive sector, and water users to discuss issues related to water resource management. Where did the 71st Ordinary General Assembly take place? The meeting was held at the headquarters of DR Flavors & Ingredients, in Jaraguá do Sul. When did the assembly take place? The 71st Ordinary General Assembly was held on Thursday (10), also marking the 25th anniversary of the Itapocu Committee. Why was water management discussed at the meeting? Because the region faces challenges in water resource management, conflicts over water use, and the need to strengthen environmental monitoring.

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