A New Truth About Palm Oil Rooted in Sustainability

The truth about palm oil isn’t always easy to hear. For years, it’s been tied to deforestation, pollution, and worker mistreatment. But not all palm oil is created equal.

DAABON is rewriting the story. This Colombian, family-owned company has spent over 100 years farming the right way—caring for people and the planet at every step. Unlike many in the industry, DAABON grows and processes palm oil using regenerative farming, full traceability, and clean energy.

They were the first to earn Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) Gold for palm oil. That’s not just a badge—it’s proof that their palm oil is good for the earth and the people who depend on it.

In this article, you’ll discover how DAABON’s model is flipping the palm oil script. You’ll learn how their bold approach offers real hope for sustainable products—from your snack foods to your soap.

The future of palm oil starts here. Let’s explore how one company is turning a controversial crop into a powerful force for good.

The Global Palm Oil Problem vs. DAABON’s Ethical Model

Most Palm Oil Production Causes Environmental Damage and Social Harm

The truth about palm oil often starts in the rainforests of Southeast Asia. Massive plantations clear-cut forests, leaving behind broken ecosystems and threatened species like orangutans and tigers. The drive for cheap, high-yield crops has also fueled unsafe labor conditions and poor oversight.

Many large producers offer little to no traceability. Their oil may pass through multiple hands, making it nearly impossible to know where—or how—it was made. Without strong rules or third-party checks, the damage goes unchecked.

DAABONs Regenerative and Transparent Approach to Palm Oil Sets It Apart

DAABON proves that palm oil doesn’t have to come at a cost to the planet or its people.

Their oil is Identity Preserved—you can trace it back to a specific farm in Colombia. That’s rare in this industry and shows their commitment to real transparency.

As the first in the world to offer Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) Gold palm oil, DAABON sets the bar for environmental and ethical excellence. Their farms use regenerative practices that rebuild soil, capture carbon, and protect biodiversity.

Unlike many global players, DAABON is still family-owned. Their business choices reflect values, not shortcuts. Every step of their supply chain is designed with one goal: to create palm oil that’s good for the planet and the people connected to it.

When you work with or buy from DAABON, you’re seeing a new side of the truth about palm oil—one that’s full of hope and real change.

DAABON’s Circular Economy Turns Palm Oil Waste Into Clean Energy

Reusing Palm Waste for Power and Fuel Makes Production Carbon-Negative

Truth about palm oil

The truth about palm oil often leaves out what happens after the harvest. For most producers, waste is just that—waste. But DAABON sees it differently.

They’ve built a system where nothing is thrown away. Methane gas, released during palm fruit washing, is captured and used to power their extraction mills. What’s more, any extra energy is sent to Colombia’s national power grid, helping light homes with clean energy.

DAABON also turns waste oil into biodiesel, a renewable fuel that cuts pollution. Even the leftover palm fibers become fuel pellets, keeping the cycle going. This is how a palm oil producer becomes a carbon-negative force for good—removing more carbon than it produces.

Composting at Scale Helps Regenerate Soil and Eliminate Waste

One of DAABON’s biggest innovations lies in the soil. Their composting facility—the largest in Colombia—takes organic waste and turns it into rich, healthy compost. This goes back into the fields to regenerate soil and grow better crops without harmful chemicals.

This approach creates a zero-waste, closed-loop system, where every part of the process feeds the next. It’s a key reason why DAABON is more than sustainable—they’re regenerative.

In a world where palm oil often means destruction, DAABON’s model proves that innovation can heal the planet. They’re not just making palm oil cleaner—they’re reimagining what’s possible.

DAABON’s Palm Oil Empowers Farmers and Builds Resilient Communities

Supporting Smallholder Farmers with Fair Access and Certification

The truth about palm oil isn’t just about land—it’s about people. In many countries, farmers are stuck in unfair systems with no support. DAABON takes a different approach.

They work hand-in-hand with smallholder farmers, covering the costs of organic and fair trade certifications—costs that often keep farmers out of global markets. In return, these farmers receive guaranteed purchase agreements and steady access to buyers who care about quality and ethics.

This isn’t charity—it’s partnership. DAABON’s model builds farmer independence and opens doors to long-term success.

Creating Jobs and Income for Women Through Training and Microloans

Daabonusa_AMPO Social and Economic Impact

DAABON also knows that strong communities start with empowered women. Across Colombia, they’ve launched programs to support female entrepreneurship.

Local women are learning to make uniforms and craft soap, turning simple skills into income. With microloans and hands-on training, these women can build businesses that support their families and communities.

These programs aren’t short-term fixes. They are seeds of resilience and pride, growing a better future one skill at a time.

Real-Life Success Stories Show the Human Impact of Ethical Palm Oil

The results are clear. In farming villages once stuck in poverty, children are now graduating as dentists and engineers. Women once excluded from the economy are now leaders in small business.

This is the real, human side of sustainability. It’s not just about greener farming—it’s about giving people the tools to thrive.

DAABON shows that the truth about palm oil can be a story of progress, dignity, and lasting change—when it’s done the right way.

Transparent Palm Oil Supply Chains Give Consumers the Power to Choose Better

Full Traceability Through Identity Preserved and Vertical Integration

The truth about palm oil often gets lost in the supply chain. Most producers mix oils from many farms, making it impossible to know where it came from—or how it was made.

DAABON changes that. Their Identity Preserved certification means you can trace every drop of oil back to a single farm. That’s not marketing—it’s proof of real transparency.

Because DAABON owns the entire process—from growing and harvesting to processing and shipping—they can guarantee full oversight every step of the way. Nothing is hidden, and nothing is outsourced. That’s what sets them apart.

Informed Consumers and Ethical Brands Can Reshape the Industry

You have more power than you think. When you choose products made with ethical palm oil, you’re sending a message: values matter.

Ask brands where their palm oil comes from. Support those who use traceable, sustainable sources. And share what you learn—because every conversation helps shift the market.

The truth about palm oil isn’t just DAABON’s responsibility. It’s yours too. Together, we can move the industry toward something better—cleaner, fairer, and truly sustainable.

DAABON Proves the Truth About Palm Oil Can Be Regenerative and Fair

The truth about palm oil doesn’t have to be a story of harm. DAABON shows us what’s possible when ethics, innovation, and care come first.

Their model—regenerative, traceable, and people-powered—isn’t a dream. It’s real, it works, and it can scale. With composting systems, carbon-negative energy, and life-changing community programs, DAABON is leading a new path forward for the industry.

Now it’s your turn.

Make informed choices. Support companies like DAABON. Demand sustainable palm oil from the brands you trust.

Together, we can reshape the future of food and farming—one conscious decision at a time.

About the Author: DAABON USA

DAABON Organic USA is dedicated to providing organic, certified sustainable palm oil to the US market. As part of the DAABON Group, a family-owned multinational business, we are committed to producing high-quality agricultural products that prioritize people and the environment. Founded in 1914 and headquartered in Santa Marta, Colombia, DAABON employs over 5,000 people and operates offices on all five continents. Our US locations are in Miami, FL, and Boulder, CO. With over a century of experience, DAABON leads in sustainable agriculture, ensuring our practices benefit communities and ecosystems worldwide.