New Britain applauded for commitment to sustainability

21-May-2012 - Last updated on 22-May-2012 at 10:58 GMT

Related tags Sustainable palm oil Palm oil

New Britain Palm Oil (NBPO) has received applause from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) for committing to source 100% RSPO-certified palm oil supplies by the end of 2012.

The development will enable food manufacturers in Europe to access sustainable supplies more easily. The ingredient is high in saturated fat and used in foods ranging from cooking oil to pastry and baked goods.

NBPO has pledged to have its entire palm oil estates and operations, inclusive of smallholders 100% RSPO-certified, through fully traceable, segregated, sustainable palm oil. NBPO is one of the largest fully integrated industrial producers of sustainable palm oil and a top five producer of RSPO certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) in both production volume and area.

New Britain recently enabled the RSPO to reach six million tonnes of CSPO through the latest certification of its mill in Poliamba, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Landmark achievement

“We commend and applaud NBPOL for their leadership, contribution and dedication towards embracing and promoting best practices in sustainable palm oil,” said RSPO secretary general Darrel Webber. “This landmark achievement in PNG, a significant growing palm oil market, encourages us to continue our vision and global effort in the production of sustainable palm oil according to good environmental, social and economic standards.”

Webber said 7% of annual production capacity for certified sustainable palm oil is contributed by PNG, making it the third largest CSPO producer in the world after Indonesia and Malaysia. “Approximately 30% of the oil palm growers in PNG comprise smallholders. This is also a great development for Europe, NBPOL’s main market, as the region will benefit from being able to source fully segregated sustainable palm oil contributing over time towards the growth in the overall uptake of CSPO.”

Sustainable business practices

NBPO chief executive Nick Thompson said the firm’s commitment further underlined its pledge to follow sustainable business practices. “We believe fully committing to and implementing these practices will not only drive the sustainable growth of our business and create value for investors, customers and stakeholders, but also ensure we best serve and advance the rural communities within PNG and the Solomon Islands.”

Ian Orrell of the PNG Palm Oil Council said: “In order for PNG to further build on its global reputation as a notable and successful supplier to the sustainable palm oil market, the PNG Palm Oil Council supports large companies and smallholders alike to become RSPO-certified.

“By facilitating, coordinating and promoting sustainable palm oil in PNG, the Palm Oil Council brings together palm oil producers, smallholders, government, as well as public sector bodies and civil society. Our ultimate goal is that all palm oil produced in PNG will be certified sustainable palm oil.”