NEW BRITAIN PALM OIL LIMITED (“NBPOL”) IS APPLAUDED BY THE ROUNDTABLE ON SUSTAINABLE PALM OIL (“RSPO”) FOR 100% RSPO-CERTIFIED COMMITMENT
6 million metric tonnes of RSPO CSPO marked by world’s leading producer of certified sustainable palm oil, NBPOL
London, United Kingdom / Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
New Britain Palm Oil Limited (LSE: NBPO), one of the largest fully integrated industrial producers of sustainable palm oil, has pledged to have its entire palm oil estates and operations, inclusive of smallholders 100% RSPO-certified by the end of 2012, through fully traceable, segregated, sustainable palm oil.
As top five producer of RSPO Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (“CSPO”) in both production volume and area, NBPOL recently enabled the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil to achieve the mark of 6 million metric tonnes of CSPO through the latest certification of its mill in Poliamba, Papua New Guinea (“PNG”). NBPOL is based in West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea – a new frontier that is rapidly setting global benchmarks in terms of both productivity and innovation.
Darrel Webber, Secretary General of RSPO, comments:
“We commend and applaud NBPOL for their leadership, contribution and dedication towards embracing and promoting best practices in sustainable palm oil. 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.
“7% of annual production capacity is contributed by PNG, which makes it the 3rd 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.”
Nick Thompson, Chief Executive of New Britain Palm Oil Limited, discussed the Company’s announcement:
“Through our public undertakings to have all our palm oil estates and operations, inclusive of smallholders 100% RSPO-certified by end of 2012, this further underlines New Britain Palm Oil’s commitment to sustainable business practices. We believe that fully committing to and implementing these practices will not only drive the sustainable growth of our business and create value for our investors, customers, and wider stakeholders but also ensure that we best serve and advance the rural communities within Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.”
RSPO works closely with the PNG Palm Oil Council in order to ensure that local growers are supported with implementing the RSPO Principles & Criteria.
Ian Orrell of the PNG Palm Oil Council underlines the importance of having all parties along the palm oil supply chain on board:
“In order for Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea, 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 Papua New Guinea will be certified sustainable palm oil.”
