How Sukanto Tanoto Takes Care of the Environment

Despite the controversies about the environmental issues brought about by pulp business, Sukanto Tanoto proves his commitment for sustainable environment. His business principle is based upon social responsibility, in terms of not only prosperity but also environment. It is not true that Sukanto Tanoto’s enterprises are responsible for environmental degradation in the areas where the enterprises are situated. The following are two examples of how his businesses work hard to reserve the environmental for the next generations.

PT. Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP): the Shift from Coal to Gas

The giant pulp and fiber company owned by Sukanto Tanoto, PT. Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP), has always tried to find the best solutions for environmental issues. To realize this, RAPP has set a plan to minimize the use of coal for production and shift to gas. This was clearly stated by the company’s representative last year. This effort is taken as a response to the environmentalists’ concerns about the contribution of pulp and paper production process to environmental carbon footprint.

However, the company’s rep admitted that it is almost impossible to eliminate carbon footprint at all, but some steps have been initiated. They include growing industrial forests around the factory to absorb the carbon emission. This has been accounted for a 45 percent decrease in the gas emission. Another step is shifting from coal fuel to gas. Right now, RAPP depends 13 percents of its operation upon coal fuel and the company has set up a target to reduce it for the next few years.

Sateri: The Use of Recyclable Materials

Another instance of how Sukanto Tanoto cares much about the environment is seen from the efforts taken by Sateri, one of the world’s largest cellulose producers. The company has its offices in Brazil and China. To improve its efficiency, the company makes use of recyclable chemical substances by combining a sophisticated design and the newest chemical recovery system. This enables the company to recycle almost 95% of chemical substances used for the production process and reduce its dependence upon fossil fuel.

Asian Agri: No Burn Policy

Asian Agri is a strong advocate of the no-burn policy, integrated pest control management, soil moisture preservation and other environmental best practices. Through its operating subsidiary PT Inti Indosawit Subur, Asian Agri is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), a global multi-stakeholder initiative that promotes the growth and use of sustainable palm oil.