15 Years of RSPO Leadership: Why Legacy Matters in Sourcing
This year marks a defining milestone in our company’s history. Since 2010, DAABON has not only maintained its status as a producer of RSPO certified sustainable palm oil but has consistently pioneered ethical standards in a complex global industry.
While the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) launched its certification system in 2007, we quickly aligned our operations to meet—and often exceed—these rigorous benchmarks.
For today’s procurement leaders, trust is the most valuable currency. “From the soil to the market” is more than a slogan; it is a guarantee of supply chain integrity. Modern buyers demand more than basic compliance—they need a partner who offers total transparency.
DAABON is one of the few producers globally to offer RSPO Identity Preserved (IP) certification at scale, ensuring that every drop of oil can be traced back to the specific land where it was grown.
Our 15-year partnership with the RSPO proves that sustainable palm oil is not a static label, but an evolving standard of excellence. From pioneering deforestation-free practices ahead of their time to our current regenerative practices, we ensure that when you choose DAABON, you choose a legacy of responsibility.
Read more about our journey in The Truth About Palm Oil.
What Is Identity Preserved (IP) Palm Oil? (2010–2015)
DAABON’s journey toward setting industry benchmarks began in earnest in 2010. While many producers were just beginning to explore sustainability, our plantations—spanning over 27,000 hectares—achieved full certification under the rigorous RSPO Principles and Criteria.
Since that moment, we have exclusively prioritized the RSPO Identity Preserved (IP) supply chain model.
The Gold Standard: IP vs. Mass Balance
For procurement leaders, the difference between supply chain models is the difference between “verified” and “mixed.”
- Identity Preserved (IP): The oil is sourced from a single certified sustainable plantation and is never mixed with non-certified oils. This offers the highest level of traceability available.
- Mass Balance (MB): Certified and non-certified oils may be mixed during shipping, meaning you cannot guarantee the specific origin of the physical oil in your product.
True sustainability extends beyond corporate boundaries. From the beginning, DAABON recognized that a responsible supply chain must be inclusive. We worked extensively to integrate over 100 smallholder farms that supply our mill into our certification scope.
Ensuring compliance was a challenge, but it positioned DAABON as the first group globally to achieve advanced certifications alongside our small farmers. This proves that high standards can—and should—lift the entire community.
Learn more about our community impact in our guide to Sustainable Palm Oil in Colombia.
Setting a Global Precedent: Exceeding Industry Standards (2016–2018)
In the journey toward sustainability, compliance is the floor, but leadership is the ceiling. During 2016–2018, DAABON Group became one of the first companies in the world to adopt strict “No Deforestation, No Peat, and No Exploitation” (NDPE) policies.
These initiatives were designed to exceed the established baselines of the time, representing a rigorous commitment to environmental and social integrity well before they were industry mandates.
Anticipating the 2018 Standards
The true legacy of this leadership lies in its foresight. These high-bar environmental standards were eventually incorporated into the revised RSPO 2018 Principles & Criteria (P&C).
By voluntarily adhering to these stricter criteria early, DAABON effectively future-proofed its supply chain, operating at the “new normal” level years before it became a requirement for responsible growers worldwide.
By partnering with DAABON, you align with a grower that stays ahead of the curve. Our history of early adoption ensures your supply chain remains resilient against new regulatory shifts like the EUDR.
Read more about our commitment to a Deforestation-Free Supply Chain.
The Future: Global Demand & Digital Traceability (2019–Present)
Meeting the Global Appetite for IP Oil
The appetite for ethical sourcing is no longer a niche preference; it is a global requirement. In 2023, the global supply of RSPO certified sustainable palm oil reached a record 16.1 million tonnes, accounting for over 20% of the world’s total production.
While Europe and North America continue to drive demand, emerging markets are rapidly catching up. DAABON is at the forefront of this shift.
- Global Milestone: In November 2024, we successfully delivered the first 750-tonne batch of RSPO Certified Identity Preserved (IP) palm oil to the Port of Shanghai.
This achievement signals robust logistics and a market ready for verified sustainability. It proves that DAABON can deliver high-integrity Identity Preserved (IP) oil—the hardest grade to source at scale—to major global ports reliably.
PRISMA: The Next Era of Digital Compliance
As supply chains become more complex, the tools we use to verify them must evolve. The industry is transitioning toward PRISMA (Palm Resource Information and Sustainability Management), an innovative digital platform designed to revolutionize trade practices.
What is PRISMA?
PRISMA serves as a single digital convergence point for stakeholders, standardizing audit reports and enabling better data analytics.
For DAABON clients, this digital evolution means audit-ready data reliability. It ensures that the transparency of the last 15 years is backed by the digital architecture of the future, simplifying compliance with regulations like the EUDR.
Conclusion: Partner with a 15-Year Veteran
DAABON’s 15-year journey is a testament to the power of proactive leadership. From achieving our initial certification in 2010 to pioneering rigorous sustainability standards, we have consistently stayed ahead of the curve.
For you, this “From the soil to the market” philosophy translates into tangible business security:
- Brand Safety: Sourcing Identity Preserved (IP) oil eliminates contamination risks.
- Regulatory Ease: Our data-rich supply chain simplifies EUDR compliance.
- Consumer Trust: Verification from a 100-year-old family-owned grower.
Secure your sustainable future today.
Contact DAABON USA to request a specification sheet for RSPO Identity Preserved palm oil.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the difference between RSPO IP and Mass Balance?
A: RSPO Identity Preserved (IP) guarantees oil comes from a single certified plantation and is never mixed. Mass Balance allows mixing of certified and non-certified oils during transport, meaning you cannot trace the physical oil back to a specific farm.
Q: What is PRISMA in the palm oil industry?
A: PRISMA (Palm Resource Information and Sustainability Management) is the RSPO’s new digital platform that standardizes audits and traceability data to improve supply chain compliance and transparency.
Q: Is DAABON palm oil EUDR compliant?
A: Yes. DAABON’s Identity Preserved (IP) model and certifications (building on our history of strict deforestation standards) provide the full traceability and geolocation data required for EUDR compliance.