KTC Edibles Ltd, Britain’s largest manufacturer and distributor of edible oils, has further demonstrated its commitment to sustainable palm oil by becoming the first UK company to sign the Sustainable Palm Oil Manifesto.

Launched by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), the European Palm Oil Alliance (EPOA), and the IDH (the Sustainable Trade Initiative), the new manifesto was the result of the fourth Sustainable Palm Oil dialogue, which took place in October 2022.

In signing the document, KTC strengthens its promise to source sustainable palm, while endorsing and implementing the four key aims of the manifesto across its operations. Those four aims address issues relating to sourcing, engagement in governance, sustainable production from smallholders, and strengthening communication on sustainable palm oil to increase awareness amongst consumers.

The Sustainable Palm Oil Manifesto aims to dispel the myths surrounding palm, and to highlight the benefits that the sourcing and use of sustainable palm can bring to the planet and its people. Other organisations signing the pledge include leading organisations, charities and food companies from across the globe, including Efeca, Ferrero, Henkel, Daabon, MVO, Alliance for the Preservation of Forests and WWF.

“Sustainability starts at the supply chain”

“We’re committed to leading the way on sustainability by continually building on our current pledges and actively looking for ways to reduce the environmental impact of our operations,” asserted Gary Lewis, Chief Commercial Officer at KTC. “Sustainability starts at the supply chain, so we’re excited to add our name to the signatories list and collaborate with forward-thinking organisations from across the globe to make sustainable palm the standard across our industry.”

Signing the pledge is the latest milestone in KTC Edibles’ extensive sustainability programme. In September 2022, the company announced that it had achieved its ambitious target to offer only 100-per-cent segregated certified sustainable palm oil to customers as part of a promise to RSPO Shared Responsibility Initiative.

The UK company also recently became a member of The Sustainable Coconut and Coconut Oil Roundtable and signed the Sustainable Coconut Charter – a voluntary framework that sets a global benchmark for sustainable coconut origins.

The company holds several industry accreditations and certifications, including The Soil Association, The Vegan Society and RSPO (The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil).

Founded in 1972, KTC Edibles employs more than 400 people across two UK sites in Wednesbury and Liverpool. The company supplies more than 250 million litres of cooking oils to customers of all sizes across the UK food industry each year.

Additional information about KTC Edibles and its high-performance frying oils can be found at: www.ktcoilsandfats.co.uk