IOI-Loders Croklaan Docks Bulk Shipment of *RSPO Certified Sustainable Palm Oil to North America

CHANNAHON, Ill., Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, IOI-Loders Croklaan, one of the world's leading fully integrated palm oil producers, proudly welcomed their first bulk vessel shipment of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certified sustainable palm oil to North America. This shipment demonstrates the commitment of Loders Croklaan in supporting the production and supply of RSPO certified sustainable palm oil to the global market.  

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110222/CG52229)

Loders Croklaan's first delivery of fully RSPO certified, segregated oil arrived in New Orleans on February 20, 2011 and will be kept fully segregated during transport to the IOI-Loders Croklaan refinery.  

The oil will be offered to the market as certified, mass balance oil with first deliveries of certified oil to customers beginning April. This market-leading initiative illustrates the flexibility of IOI-Loders Croklaan's fully integrated, first-class supply chain while confirming the ability to effectively offer certified segregated oil to the market.

In April, 2010 IOI-Loders Croklaan became the first to offer RSPO certified segregated palm oil in continental Europe on a large scale.

"IOI-Loders Croklaan is a global leader in ensuring the sustainable practices and supply of palm oil," said Tim Surin, Director, Sales and Marketing at Loders Croklaan.  "We see our decision to lead the market in offering certified palm oil as a natural fit with our position as a leader in innovation, both in product development as well as supply chain management."  

"Considering how prevalent palm oil is in our everyday lives, its sustainable production is critical to meet rising demand and to protect the environment in which it's grown," said David McLaughlin, Managing Director and Vice President, Agriculture, World Wildlife Fund. "We are very pleased to see the leadership IOI-Loders Croklaan has taken by introducing RSPO certified palm oil to the North American market, giving assurance to buyers that it was produced in ways that avoid illegal deforestation and protects the habitats of some of the most iconic species in the world, like the orangutan and Sumatran Tiger.  We encourage all users of palm oil to commit to using only certified sources, and join the movement to support the sustainable production of this commodity."

For more information regarding IOI-Loders Croklaan's certified sustainable product offerings, please contact Kevin Miller at 815-730-5393 or visit www.croklaan.com.

*Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil

IOI Group's Commitment to Sustainability

IOI-Loders Croklaan is part of the IOI Group, one of the world's leading fully integrated palm oil producers. Being a founding member, IOI is fully committed to the principles and criteria of the RSPO (www.rspo.org) and believes that these offer the best roadmap to the development of a truly sustainable global palm oil industry and actively participates in RSPO initiatives to promote the growth and use of sustainable palm oil. Currently, already 50% of its plantations have received RSPO-approval and expects to complete certification for all of its holdings by the end of 2011. In April last year, IOI was the first in offering RSPO certified segregated palm oil in continental Europe on a large scale. www.ioigroup.com

SOURCE IOI-Loders Croklaan