Through SMILE and SLV, Apical has partnered with Asian Agri and KAO Corporation to engage 3,436 independent smallholders, with 1,373 achieving RSPO certification.
Apical, a leading global vegetable oil processor, has once again been recognized for its commitment to sustainability. The company was awarded the Sustainable Supply Chain Partnership at the 2024 ESG Business Awards in Singapore on Tuesday, September 24. This marks the second consecutive year Apical has received this award, highlighting its efforts to empower smallholder farmers through sustainable practices.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Empowering Farmers Through Key Initiatives
The award recognized Apical’s initiatives, specifically the SMallholder Inclusion for Better Livelihood & Empowerment (SMILE) program and the Sustainable Living Villages (SLV) program. SMILE aims to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by increasing productivity through sustainable farming practices, while promoting environmental management that adheres to sustainable palm oil standards. The SLV program focuses on poverty reduction and community development through targeted initiatives, which are currently active in nine villages across Aceh and East Kalimantan.
Apical, a leading global vegetable oil processor, has once again been recognized for its commitment to sustainability. The company was awarded the Sustainable Supply Chain Partnership at the 2024 ESG Business Awards in Singapore on Tuesday, September 24. This marks the second consecutive year Apical has received this award, highlighting its efforts to empower smallholder farmers through sustainable practices.
Collaborative Efforts for Long-term Sustainability
Apical’s success in fostering sustainable practices stems from close collaboration with various stakeholders, including organizations like the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and the Palm Oil Collaboration Group (POCG). This engagement ensures that Apical’s operations not only comply with regulations but also promote responsible procurement and transparency throughout the supply chain. Apical is also actively working with customers to comply with new regulations, such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), ensuring sustainable palm oil supply to the EU market.
A cornerstone of Apical’s sustainability strategy is its commitment to smallholder farmers. Through SMILE, Apical has partnered with Asian Agri and KAO Corporation to engage 3,436 independent smallholders, with 1,373 achieving RSPO certification. The SLV program, on the other hand, seeks to enhance community resilience, forest conservation, and supply chain transformation through collaboration with local governments and stakeholders. One standout initiative is the Trigona honey bee farming project in Aceh Singkil, which has been running for a year and recently harvested its first crop.
Chandramohan Nair, Apical Group’s Head of Sustainability, expressed pride in the company’s achievements: “Sustainability has always been integral to our business. This award validates our relentless efforts to produce and trade sustainable palm oil. We look forward to advancing our sustainability commitments in partnership with stakeholders across the industry.”
Apical’s success at the 2024 ESG Business Awards reaffirms its vision to be a trusted sustainable vegetable oil processor, guided by its “5C” business philosophy—prioritizing communities, countries, climate, and customers. This award also underscores the company’s broader role in supporting sustainable practices across the food, oleochemicals, and renewable energy sectors globally.
Apical’s 2023 win at the ESG Business Awards marked the beginning of this recognition for its integrated processing of vegetable oils and commitment to sustainability. With vertically integrated mid-stream refining and downstream value-added processing facilities, Apical plays a crucial role in industries vital to the global economy.
Lead image courtesy of Apical Group (Sustainable Living Villages (SLV))
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