DuPont sets example for sustainable palm oil
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has published more than 30 case studies documenting industry efforts to transition to 100% sustainable palm oil.
The production of palm oil gained a notorious reputation in recent years after it had been linked to deforestation and other unsustainable practices.
The WWF said unregulated palm oil production has contributed to the loss of habitat of endangered species such as orangutans and rhinos, the displacement of indigenous populations and accelerated climate change.
The need for sustainable palm oil has become increasingly critical as demand for vegetable oils — particularly palm oil — continues to grow.
In 2019, The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which is a global multi-stakeholder initiative, increased the volume of its certified palm by 13%.
Considering this, the WWF created a scorecard that assesses whether palm oil companies are committing to sustainable practices within the industry.
One of the companies recognised as an industry leader using the WWF scorecard is DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences (DuPont N&B).
According to the company, DuPont N&B was the first ingredient manufacturer to join RSPO and was the first in the industry to commit to 100% RSPO certified palm-based emulsifiers globally.
In 2020, DuPont N&B achieved a key milestone by sourcing 100% physical RSPO certified palm oil and derivatives for its emulsifiers produced in Europe and North America.
Mikkel Thrane, Global Sustainability Leader at DuPont N&B, said the company was incredibly proud of its long-standing collaboration with RSPO and the achievements it had made in leading the industry towards more sustainable palm oil.
“It’s fantastic to be featured as a case study by the WWF for our work in this field, and we hope that our story will encourage the inclusive collaborations necessary for transforming palm oil supply chains across the globe.”
The company is now working towards its 2025 goal of achieving 100% physical certified sustainable palm of grade Mass Balance or above, alongside the phasing out of RSPO credits.
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