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Apical certified sustainable palm oil exports to India and China on the rise

By March 3, 2021May 31st, 2022No Comments

An increase in certified palm oil exports to two largest palm oil-consuming Asian countries


Globally, more countries are becoming aware of their responsibility to ensure that the sourcing of palm oil comes from responsible and sustainable sources. The two largest palm oil-consuming Asian countries, India and China are also jumping on the bandwagon as they steadily advance their commitment towards certified sustainable palm oil, according to the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)i.

This observation is reflected in our certified sustainable palm oil exports particularly to India. Apical Group recorded a significant growth for the RSPO certified sustainable palm oil (RSPO CSPO) exports to India in the last two years. RSPO CSPO is certified by the RSPO according to specific criteria to help reduce the negative impacts of palm oil cultivation on the environment and communitiesii.

In 2019, Apical exported 6,500 metric tonnes of RSPO CSPO to India, which includes Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD) and Crude Palm Oil (CPO). The volume increased sharply by 77% in 2020, hitting 11,500 metric tonnes, delivering CPO and Crude Palm Kernel Oil (CPKO). India’s certified palm oil import is expected to grow further this year.

There was a consistent demand for RSPO CSPO from China last year. We exported an average of 2,000 metric tonnes of certified palm oil to the country every three months.

Building a sustainable, better world for all

Sustainability is core to Apical’s business. In embracing this as a core value, it is evident based on our sustainability programmes and initiatives that go hand-in-hand with the six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) identified for Apical to focus on.

Among the many programmes are Smallholder Inclusion for better Livelihood & Empowerment programme or SMILE. Launched last year, the programme is a partnership between three leading palm oil companies, KAO Corporation, Apical and Asian Agri. It seeks to empower independent smallholders by improving their knowledge and technical expertise that would support their journey in obtaining the RSPO certification by 2030.

Building a sustainable, better world involves various players within the sector, which led to our pledge of bringing about a positive transformation in our supply chain. This steered to the development of Apical Sustainability Implementation Framework (A-SIMPLE Framework) aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of our policies including Sustainability Policy and Sourcing Policy.

Learn more about our business and policies.

i https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/demand-for-green-palm-oil-growing-in-india-china/article23084233.ece
ii https://rspo.org/about

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Di Apical Group, komitmen kami terhadap keberlanjutan didukung penuh dimulai dari jajaran managemen teratas. Presiden Apical didukung oleh Direktur Keberlanjutan bersama seluruh kepala bisnis, memastikan keberlanjutan terintegrasi dalam unit bisnis dan fungsional, dan tertanam dalam nilai dan inisiatif inti perusahaan.

Topik keberlanjutan dibahas pada rapat dewan yang diadakan setiap tiga bulan. Kami juga memiliki tim keberlanjutan yang berdedikasi berbasis di Kuala Lumpur; Malaysia, dan Indonesia; Pekanbaru, Dumai, Medan, Jakarta dan Balikpapan. Tim Keberlanjutan ditugaskan untuk menerapkan dan memantau komitmen kami melalui keterlibatan dan kolaborasi pemangku kepentingan yang konstruktif.

Selain itu, kami didukung penuh oleh departemen Sosial, Keamanan, dan Perizinan (SSL) khusus di setiap unit bisnis yang kami miliki, untuk menangani masalah sosial dan perizinan sesuai dengan peraturan nasional serta kebijakan keberlanjutan Apical. Tim juga mengawasi program Tanggung Jawab Sosial Perusahaan (CSR) untuk mendukung penghidupan yang lebih baik di masyarakat setempat.

Mencapai tujuan keberlanjutan membutuhkan lebih dari sekadar kolaborasi dengan pemangku kepentingan utama kami. Kolaborasi lintas industri dan perusahaan sejenis juga penting dan karenanya, kami terus mencari dan berpartisipasi dalam kemitraan baru, keanggotaan industri yang relevan, dan skema sertifikasi.

Kami berpartisipasi dalam skema keanggotaan dan sertifikasi industri seperti Tropical Forest Alliance 2020, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), termasuk P&C Review Taskforce RSPO dan National Interpretation Working Group RSPO Indonesia, International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), dan Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO).

Dato' Yeo How

PRESIDEN APICAL GROUP

At Apical Group, our commitment to sustainability stems right from the top. Apical’s President is supported by the Director of Sustainability and various business heads, to ensure sustainability is integrated within business and functional units, and embedded in the company’s core values and initiatives.

Sustainability topics are discussed at Board meetings held quarterly. We also have dedicated Sustainability teams based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Pekanbaru, Dumai, Medan, Jakarta and Balikpapan in Indonesia. The Sustainability teams are tasked with implementing and monitoring our commitments through constructive stakeholder engagement and collaboration.

In addition, there is also a dedicated Social, Security and Licensing (SSL) department in each refinery we own, to handle social and licensing matters in compliance with national regulations as well as Apical Sustainability Policy. The team also oversees Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes to support better livelihoods in local communities.

Achieving sustainability goals requires more than just collaboration with our key stakeholders. Collaboration across industries and peer companies is also crucial and hence, we constantly look for and participate in new partnerships, relevant industry membership and certification schemes.

We participate in industry membership and certification schemes such as the Tropical Forest Alliance 2020, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), including the RSPO P&C Review Taskforce and the RSPO Indonesia National Interpretation Working Group, the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), and the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO)

Dato' Yeo How

APICAL GROUP PRESIDENT