• Daabon UK launches carbon neutral organic palm oil as a world premiere, a revolutionary initiative for sustainability in the baking and snacking industry.
The global palm oil industry is currently in a critical situation, with increasing pressure from consumers, regulators and environmental groups to adopt more sustainable practices. In response to this, Daabon UK - a division of Daabon Group, world leader in sustainable agriculture - has announced the launch of the world's first carbon-neutral organic palm oil.
This innovation has a significant impact on the bakery and snack industry, giving manufacturers the opportunity to meet the growing demand for organic ingredients while improving their sustainability credentials.
Sustainable palm oil – an important step in the right direction
Traditional palm oil faces significant criticism due to its environmental impact, particularly due to major deforestation, loss of biodiversity and high carbon emissions associated with conventional production methods. Despite its widespread use in the bakery and snack sector for its multiple applications and cost-effectiveness, increasing pressure from regulatory authorities, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and growing consumer demand for sustainable ingredients prompt manufacturers to look for alternatives.
Carbon neutral Daabon organic palm oil – produced at Tequendama SAS from northern Colombia – stands out not only for its low environmental impact, but also for its performance in terms of carbon emissions.
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) – calculated using the Ecopalma carbon footprint estimation tool harmonized with ISO 14067 standards – shows a remarkable figure of -977 kg CO2eq per tonne, throughout the production chain. To put this into perspective, the global average carbon footprint of conventional palm oil is +5 340 kg CO2eq per tonne, while even certified sustainable palm oil averages +3 410 kg CO2eq per tonne .
Responsible choice
The bakery and snacks sector has long faced problems with the use of palm oil due to its association with deforestation and other environmental issues. The new carbon-neutral palm oil represents an opportunity to change the scenario and make significant improvements in sustainability.
With this change, manufacturers will make an environmentally responsible choice, but will also have the added benefit of gaining the trust of a growing segment of environmentally conscious consumers.
With its impressive carbon footprint of -977 kg CO2eq per tonne, carbon-neutral Daabon palm oil can directly help companies reduce their emissions scope 3.
And with sustainability now a key consideration in new product development (NPD), Daabon palm oil could become a key ingredient for brands looking to stand out in a crowded market.
Overcoming the challenges to achieve carbon neutrality
The path to creating carbon-neutral palm oil has not been without its challenges, however. The launch of Daabon is the culmination of a three-decade commitment to reducing emissions and reusing resources.
And company representatives say it was a real challenge in terms of the scale of the production process and setting a new standard, while remaining competitive in a global market. The solution was to create a circular process at every stage of operations – from the plantation to the factory. This started with the way the soil is treated – zero deforestation, zero peat, zero fire and certified organic and regenerative farming practices. Practically every kilogram of waste generated is reused – either as soil compost or as biomass.
Addressing the cost issue
Scope 3 emissions often account for more than 80% of a food company's total carbon footprint, making ingredient sourcing a crucial factor in its sustainability journey. But the cost of switching to carbon-neutral ingredients can be a concern for bakery and snack manufacturers, especially because of the costs.
While carbon-neutral Daabon palm oil may come at a higher price due to the improved sustainability practices and standards involved, its long-term benefits may outweigh these costs.
Moreover, it is a high quality, premium product – it is certified organic and offers exactly the same performance as conventional palm oil. This means manufacturers can support their sustainability goals without sacrificing product quality. In fact, Daabon also offers a carbon-neutral organic palm oil with a high oleic acid content that offers enhanced performance in certain applications compared to conventional palm oil.
Alignment to consumer demand
Daabon's carbon-neutral palm oil directly taps into consumer trends towards green and ethical consumption – an aspect that the bakery and snacking sectors cannot afford to ignore.
This launch is more than just a technological achievement – it's a symbol of the industry's potential to evolve. Given the growing importance of sustainability, traceability and carbon reduction, manufacturers who adopt this innovation will be well positioned to meet the demands of the future, driving not only progress in protecting the environment but also brand differentiation in a market more and more competitive.
Article written by Gabriela Dan, Editor-in-Chief Arta Albă
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