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Read about the latest developments across the business, including our global sustainability initiatives.
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Olam Palm Gabon (OPG), a joint venture with the Republic of Gabon, and is Africa’s largest producer of RSPO certified palm oil, continuing to pave the way for excellence in the African palm oil sector.
We have established strong trade relationships with serving customers across West Africa and Europe. We are supplying traceable, deforestation-free crude palm oil, with enhanced vessel chartering capabilities to support growing export volumes.
Palm Plantations
We operate four oil palm plantations in Gabon – Awala and Mouila established since 2011; Makouke, an existing plantation acquired in 2016; and Ndende established in 2016.
We are committed to certification and adhere to the strict requirements of RSPO certification for all our sites, and we have also achieved ISCC certification. In developing our plantations, we conducted detailed independent third-party assessments of selected lands to evaluate agricultural, biodiversity, and social suitability, meeting our Sustainable Palm Oil Policy.
We permanently protect 106,000 ha of High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, which account for 53% of our overall oil palm concession. Since January 2017, we have upheld a moratorium on new plantation expansion in Gabon and we are committed to no further development or expansion.
Digitalisation and Mechanisation
Using technology, such as drones, we monitor palm stands, plant health, field condition and conservation area. Olam's digital tools enable management intervention and enhance productivity. Mechanised spraying and fertiliser application has significantly increased productivity and uniformity.
Research
In Gabon we have invested in a Centre of Excellence which undertakes testing and analysis of plant tissues, soils, fertilisers and water.
Palm Processing
OPG operates three palm oil mills and one palm kernel crushing plant, sourcing 100% of fresh fruit bunches from our own plantations. We also operate an edible oil refinery, where crude palm oil is refined for our branded Cusin’Or refined oil to directly serve the local Gabonese consumer market. Our enhanced processing and storage capabilities enable us to segregate Crude Palm Oil (CPO) and to sell and ship Identity Preserved (IP) palm oil to customers.
Carbon Positive Operations
We’re exceptional amongst palm producers globally in that our operations are significantly climate-positive, meaning our plantations draw down more CO2 than they emit. We monitor our GHG emissions using the RSPO Palm GHG Calculator for our palm operations annually, and are taking steps to implement innovative and adaptive measures to mitigate these.
Achieving carbon neutrality and climate-friendly operations hinges on careful site selection, avoiding peat development, and enabling sequestration through the regeneration of conservation areas and palm planting on low-carbon stock land. As part of our continuous improvement plan, we operate a biogas facility at the Awala mill to further reduce emissions and provide renewable energy.
Sustainable Palm Oil & Downloads
We’re committed to sustainable palm oil production. In 2022 we achieved RSPO certification for all our concessions and became the largest fully certified company in Africa.
Protecting Forests & the Environment
In Gabon, we’re actively protecting 106,000 ha of High Conservation Value (HCV) forest and other areas such as buffer zones; this is 53% percent of our overall oil palm concession area of 202,000 ha.
Engaging & Supporting Communities
We’re committed to engaging and supporting local communities in Gabon, as well as being a responsible employer to more than 4,500 employees.
Stakeholder Engagement
We actively engage with stakeholders and participate in multi-stakeholder forums to advance sustainable palm oil supply chains and protect forests and high conservation value areas.
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