KTC Edibles Joins Chester Zoo’s Sustainable Palm Oil Communities Project

KTC Edibles Ltd (KTC), the UK’s largest supplier of edible oils, has joined Chester Zoo’s Sustainable Palm Oil Communities Ambassador Programme

The Sustainable Palm Oil Ambassador Programme aims to spread awareness of Chester Zoo’s Sustainable Palm Oil Communities project, an initiative designed to conserve forest biodiversity by helping people make informed, sustainable choices.

The Sustainable Palm Oil Communities project, a behaviour change campaign launched by Chester Zoo, supports businesses across communities to choose sustainable palm oil - an essential step in protecting wildlife in regions like Indonesia and Malaysia, where palm oil is produced. In 2019, Chester became the first ever Sustainable Palm Oil City, and there are now 6 other communities across the UK working towards the same goal.

Gary Lewis, Head of Business Development and Sustainability at KTC Group, said:

“Chester Zoo is doing incredible work challenging misconceptions around palm oil, a misunderstood ingredient that is more beneficial for biodiversity and ecosystems than conventional palm oil and many other unregulated vegetable oils, while driving much needed change in business and consumer behaviour – and we couldn’t be prouder to be part of the campaign.

“At KTC, we’ve been leading the charge on sustainable palm oil for many years, and thanks to initiatives like this, it feels like finally the message is starting to filter through – boycotts are not the answer, and the most sustainable alternative to palm oil is sustainable palm oil.”

Cat Barton, Policy Lead Deforestation-Free Commodities and Regenerative Agriculture at Chester Zoo, said:

“Our mission is to ensure that 100% of the palm oil sold in the UK is grown in a way that protects rainforests and prevents further deforestation – so we can protect wildlife and habitats all over the world. To do this, we need businesses and consumers from across the country to come together and commit to choosing sustainable palm oil.”

KTC Edibles has been a part of the sustainable palm oil movement for more than 15 years. The company joined the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) in 2010 and was the first UK company to sign the Sustainable Palm Oil Manifesto in 2022 - a joint initiative by the RSPO, European Palm Oil Alliance (EPOA), and the IDH (the Sustainable Trade Initiative). In 2023, the company launched the world’s first overtly pro-palm oil range.

Since 2022, 100% of KTC Edibles’ palm oil has been RSPO certified sustainable Segregated (SG), or Identity Preserved (IP). RSPO SG offers traceability back to the mill, with RSPO IP offering full traceability all the way back to the plantation.

The company’s 2025 goal is to raise the sustainability standards of all the palm oil supplied by recent acquisitions to the KTC Group – Cardowan Creameries and Trilby Trading Ltd. This process is well underway, with all KTC Group palm supply chains moving to 100% RSPO certified sustainable segregated palm oil by the end of 2025.

Additional information about Chester Zoo’s Sustainable Palm Oil Communities project can be found at https://www.chesterzoo.org/conservation-science-education/global-conservation-programmes/conservation-campaigns/sustainable-palm-oil/sustainable-palm-oil-communities