What If the Future of Food Depends on Better Genetics, NOT More Land?

How Do We Feed a Larger World Without Asking Nature to Pay the Price?

Have you ever wondered how we will manage to feed a world that is growing every single day? By the year 2050, it is estimated that the global population will exceed 9 billion people. This presents a significant challenge, as we will need to produce nearly double the amount of food we do today. Historically, the solution was simple, if you needed more food, you cleared more land. For too long, agriculture measured progress by how much land it could take; today, that logic no longer works because every new hectare cleared comes with an environmental cost the planet can no longer afford.

At SD Guthrie, we believe the future of agriculture must be defined not by expansion, but by responsibility. As we mark a decade of GenomeSelect®, we celebrate more than a scientific breakthrough, we celebrate a new pathway to meeting global demand, one that enables us to produce more palm oil sustainably without claiming a single new hectare of forest.

The Science of GenomeSelect®: Identifying the Best from the Start

In 2009, SD Guthrie reached a defining moment in agricultural science when we became the first in the world to map the oil palm genome. More than a scientific milestone, it marked the beginning of a deeper understanding of the crop’s hidden potential, revealing the biological signatures behind traits such as yield, stature, and agronomic strength, and opening the door to a more enlightened approach to cultivation.

From that foundation emerged GenomeSelect® , a DNA-based prediction model born from the belief that the future of agriculture should be shaped by foresight, not chance. By identifying elite-performing palms while they are still in the nursery, GenomeSelect® allows excellence to be recognised at the very beginning of life, long before the field can reveal it. In doing so, it reflects a broader truth: that the most meaningful progress in agriculture lies not in waiting for outcomes, but in having the wisdom to shape them.

Translating Lab Research into Real-World Results

Turning scientific discovery into field-ready impact requires more than technical expertise. It called for long-term vision, scale, and a deep commitment to excellence. To bring GenomeSelect® from research to reality, we established one of Southeast Asia’s largest specialised laboratories and partnered with leading global experts like LGC Biosearch Technologies in the UK. Together, we developed an advanced screening system capable of analysing 80 million genotyping data points, ensuring that only the strongest genetic potential is selected to support a more productive and sustainable future.

Today, the impact of this work is taking root across thousands of hectares. Where conventional plantations may yield 4 to 6 metric tonnes of oil per hectare, GenomeSelect® palms are demonstrating the potential to reach 5 to 8 metric tonnes showing a powerful reflection of what becomes possible when science, vision, and stewardship come together.

As of 2025, these palms have delivered a 30% increase in oil per hectare compared with our previous best-performing material, calixQ6™, a meaningful leap forward in unlocking more value from every hectare. With around 10% more mesocarp oil in each fruit, they are demonstrating not only stronger performance, but also the remarkable potential of science-led cultivation. From the favourable conditions of coastal estates to the more demanding inland soils, these palms continue to rise above expectation, offering a powerful glimpse of what sustainable progress can truly look like.

Yet the deepest triumph is found not only in the harvest, but in the forests left undisturbed. By unlocking greater productivity from the land we already steward, we lessen the need to take more from the natural world. In doing so, GenomeSelect® speaks to a more hopeful future. One where progress is no longer measured by how much land we claim, but by how much we are able to preserve

(“SD Guthrie’s GenomeSelect® journey began in 2009 with the sequencing, assembly, and annotation of the oil palm genome; over the next seven years, iterative improvements to this reference genome laid the foundation for GenomeSelect® development, integrating large-scale data analytics with breeding programmes to build a DNA-based prediction model for superior oil-yield traits.”– this client comment has been restructured into the above to accommodate a more mass audience.)

Going Beyond Yield: Building Stronger, Climate Resilient Crops

As of December 2025, GenomeSelect® is no longer a vision of what could be, it is a fieldproven force already being scaled across 24,317 hectares. But yield alone is no longer enough. In an age of climate disruption and rising environmental pressure, agriculture cannot afford to settle for crops that merely perform in ideal conditions. The oil palm of the future must be stronger, smarter, and built to endure. Able not only to produce, but to stand resilient in the face of a changing world.

Using our genetic “route map,” our researchers are now looking beyond just oil yield. We are identifying genetic markers for other vital traits:

  • Climate Resilience: By combining our genetic data with digital tools like remote sensing and geospatial technologies (GIS), we can develop a new genetic prediction model to select palms that can maintain high productivity even when the weather turns harsh.
  • Disease Resistance: We are also tackling Ganoderma, a devastating fungus that can destroy entire plantations. We have developed models to select palms that are naturally more tolerant to this threat, ensuring the long-term yield health of our estates.
  • Easier Harvesting: We are even looking at the physical structure of the palm. By breeding palms that are easier to harvest or grow at a more manageable height, we can make the work on the ground safer and less labour-intensive for our teams.
Example of Ganoderma infection at the base of an oil palm.

A Global Vision: Sharing the Blueprint

In Sharing Knowledge, We Shape Tomorrow

At SD Guthrie, we believe progress of lasting value must be shared. Protecting the world’s forests is not the work of one company alone, but a responsibility that calls for collective action across the industry.

In 2020, we made the decision to publish our genome research in the public domain. Our version of the oil palm genome was 80% more complete than anything previously available to the public. By sharing this “blueprint” with other producers, academic researchers, and even small-scale farmers, this “open science” approach means that the entire industry can start moving toward higher yields and better land use. Interestingly, the same technology we use for oil palms is now being used as a reference to help improve other crops, such as date palms and coconuts.

The Road to 2050: A New Standard for Productivity

Our ultimate goal is to reach a step change in how we operate. By 2050, we want to achieve a target of 8 to 9 metric tonnes of oil per hectare at the company level.

Achieving this requires us to connect the work from the lab directly to the field. This is where precision agriculture comes in to improve agronomic and milling practices.

This involves:

  • Drone and Satellite Imaging: To monitor growth rates and detect nutrient deficiencies or pest outbreaks early.
  • Internet of Things (IoT): Ground sensors and automated weather stations that provide real-time data to estate managers.
  • Milling Innovation: Utilising enzymes and advanced data analytics in refineries to optimise oil extraction and ensure food safety through the “One Stream” approach — an integrated model that unifies the entire value chain from plantation to customer.
  • Mechanisations for Pest and Disease Control: Deploying automated spraying systems and mechanised application technologies to address biological threats with surgical accuracy, reducing manual intervention, and chemical footprint.
  • Field Upkeep: Employing specialised machinery and autonomous equipment for ground cover management and terrace upkeep to ensure optimal palm health and soil integrity.
  • Crop Evacuation: Integrating mechanised loading systems and real-time transit tracking to accelerate the movement of fresh fruit bunches from the field to the mill, preserving oil quality and reducing fruit loss.

Decoding A Deforestation-Free Future

The challenge of feeding more than 9 billion people while driving the conservation of our world’s most precious landscapes is a global imperative. In the next 15 to 20 years, as we replant our Malaysian estates with these elite materials, we expect to produce an additional 300,000 metric tonnes of oil annually. That is enough to feed 15 million people, and it is equivalent to the output of 50,000 hectares of land that will never need to be cleared – safeguarding vital ecosystems, thus preserving nature.

At SD Guthrie, we believe the greatest innovations are those that reach beyond achievement and become a force for collective good. The challenge of nourishing a growing world while protecting the landscapes that sustain it is far too important for any one organisation to carry alone. It calls for minds united by purpose, and partnerships guided by responsibility. To all who share this vision, we welcome the opportunity to stand together, to shape a future where abundance is created not at nature’s expense, but in harmony with it.

Traceability: The New Frontier of Palm Oil Quality

No More Anonymous Ingredients.

For decades, palm oil operated in the shadows as a “ghost ingredient.” It powered everything from chocolates to biofuels, yet moved through global supply chains as an anonymous commodity. In that era, “quality” was confined to the laboratory, defined by melting points and oxidative stability. If the chemistry was right, the origin was irrelevant.

The Era of Absolute Visibility

That era is over. The definition of a “premium” ingredient has fundamentally shifted. Today, the market demands the story behind every drop.

For the modern manufacturer, transparency is no longer a corporate social responsibility metric, but a competitive necessity. Without ironclad sourcing data, businesses face existential risks to ESG ratings, access to sustainable capital, and compliance with landmark shifts like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

The SD Guthrie International Standard

In a world where consumers trace their morning coffee back to the exact farm, the fats and oils in their pantry are now held to that same standard of integrity. While palm oil was once a faceless commodity, today’s market scrutinises every hectare.

At SD Guthrie International, we believe traceability is no longer a “nice-to-have” initiative. It is the new benchmark of product excellence and the ultimate differentiator for long-term business confidence. Moving from just providing high-quality oil, to providing the radical transparency your brand deserves.

“Knowing” and “Seeing”

To the non-expert, “traceability” might sound like industry jargon. But for a global business protecting its reputation, the distinction between different levels of oversight is the thin line between a future-proofed supply chain and a compliance nightmare.

At SD Guthrie International, we distinguish between two critical levels of visibility:

  • Traceability to Mill (TTM): This identifies the processing hub (the mill) where the fresh fruit bunches (FFB) were crushed into oil. For many years, TTM was considered the industry limit.
  • Traceability to Plantation (TTP): This is the “gold standard.” It means we can trace the oil back to the exact land where the oil palm was grown. In the context of the EUDR, this requires precise geolocational data, not just a point on a map, but a “polygon” that defines the boundaries of the farm.

It is vital to distinguish between traceability and transparency. Traceability is the ‘engine,’ the technical capability to track a product’s journey. Transparency is the ‘driver,’ the courage to lay that data bare for the world to see.

In today’s landscape, we believe the credibility of No Deforestation, No Peat, and No Exploitation (NDPE) standards depends on a vision that looks past direct suppliers. We are intentionally and diligently choosing to address potential blind spots in the indirect network to ensure there is no compromise to our brand’s integrity.

The stakes for our global partners are absolute. You cannot claim your products are “deforestation-free” if you are operating on guesswork. We recognise the staggering complexity of the palm network, made from a web of thousands of intermediaries and smallholders. By partnering with SD Guthrie International and prioritising TTP, you are securing a fully-vetted supply chain. We take on the heavy lifting of global due diligence, so you can lead your market with total confidence.

The SD Guthrie International Blueprint: From Ambition to Evidence

At SD Guthrie International, theoretical targets are a thing of the past. We are delivering the measurable, high-impact results that the global market demands.

The Gold Standard: Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

Our operations in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands (via New Britain Palm Oil Limited) now serve as the global blueprint for the industry. In these regions, we have achieved a milestone for SD Guthrie-owned mills many thought impossible: 100% traceability to the plantation. Every single hectare feeding our mills is mapped, monitored, and verified in real-time. Not to be confused with a pilot programme or a future goal. This is a reality we live in that proves total visibility is achievable today.

Scaling the Solution

The frontier is now Malaysia and Indonesia. While these landscapes are more complex, rather than being a barrier, they serve as the next phase of our mission. We are currently deploying the same rigorous mapping standards perfected in Papua New Guinea across these regions, engineering a system where 100% traceability is the non-negotiable standard for every tonne we produce.

A Partnership of Certainty

By laying our metrics bare, we provide our partners absolute certainty. We invite you to align your sustainability roadmap with a leader that not only promises change, but drives it. When you choose SD Guthrie International, you are choosing a partner who has already done the hard work of proving what’s possible.

The Science of Certainty: Engineering the Traceable Asset

How do we transform a standard “commodity” into a high-value traceable asset? It demands a rigorous, data-driven methodology that interrogates every stage of the journey. SD Guthrie International measures traceability across four specific categories of volume supplied to our refineries and palm kernel crushers:

  1. Crude Palm Oil (CPO)
  2. Palm Kernel (PK)
  3. Crude Palm Kernel Oil (CPKO)
  4. Refined Palm Products

To be classified as “traceable,” a supplier must provide a comprehensive data profile:

  • The Parent Company Identity: We need to know who owns the mill to ensure there are no links to unethical groups.
  • RSPO Certification Status: Verification that the oil meets the world’s most recognised sustainability standards.
  • Precise GPS Polygons: As required by the EUDR, we need the actual boundaries of the plantation to cross-reference with satellite imagery.

Real-Time Vigilance: The Satellite Shield

Data is only the first step, truth is found through Satellite Monitoring. We secure our supply chain through strategic partnerships with organisations like Earthqualizer and the integration of the RADD (Radar Alerts for Detecting Deforestation) system.

While traditional satellite imagery is often blinded by the tropics, our radar technology penetrates cloud cover, providing an unblinking, 24/7 view of the landscape, even during the most intense rainy seasons. If a single hectare is cleared within our sourcing area, we will know within days. This rapid-response capability allows for immediate intervention, providing the absolute certainty required to insulate a global brand from risk in today’s landscape.

Radical Accountability: The Power of Crosscheck

Confidence is built on visibility, and visibility requires courage. This is why SD Guthrie International launched Crosscheck in 2019: an industry-leading, publicly accessible traceability engine that redefined the standards of openness.

Crosscheck is an open invitation – stripping away the corporate veil, inviting our customers, NGOs, and global regulators to scrutinise exactly how our supply chain operates in real-time. By providing this level of unprecedented access, your trust is earned through verifiable, accessible truth.

Direct capture from Crosscheck, our online traceability dashboard.

Crosscheck allows any user to:

  • Locate Every Supplying Mill: View a global map of the mills that feed our refineries.
  • Access Risk Assessments: View detailed environmental and social risk ratings for each mill.
  • Monitor NDPE Compliance: Track exactly how our third-party suppliers are performing against our “No Deforestation” commitments.

For businesses preparing for the EUDR, Crosscheck provides the transparency documentation needed to prove compliance. In September 2024, SD Guthrie International successfully delivered a landmark shipment of 24,250 MT of EUDR-compliant palm oil to our Zwijndrecht refinery in the Netherlands. Proving our technology can successfully move responsibly sourced oil into regions with the world’s toughest regulations.

The Power of Inclusion: Why Integration Trumps Exclusion

The final frontier of the palm oil industry lies in the “indirect supply” – the hundreds of thousands of independent smallholders who power the global market.

The “easy” path to a 100% traceable supply chain is a path of exclusion. By simply cutting these smallholders out. While large estates are easier to map, absolute exclusion is a false victory. It devastates rural livelihoods and drives farmers toward unregulated markets, effectively shifting deforestation elsewhere rather than solving it.

Inclusive Traceability: Empowerment Through Data

At SD Guthrie International, we reject the easy path in favour of the inclusive path. We believe traceability should be a tool for empowerment, not a barrier to entry. Our strategy is built on inclusive traceability, choosing to integrate smallholders into the global economy rather than leaving them behind.

Through high-impact partnerships, such as our work with Solidaridad and Colgate-Palmolive in Bera, Pahang, we are actively bringing smallholders into our digital ecosystem. Securing their future and ensuring that every link in the SD Guthrie International chain, no matter how small, meets the highest global standards of integrity.

Through these programmes, we provide:

  • Technical Training: Helping farmers adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to increase yields.
  • Yield Improvements: In some cases, smallholders have seen yield increases of up to 35%, significantly boosting their income without expanding their land footprint.
  • Market Access: By helping smallholders achieve MSPO (Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil) or RSPO certification, we ensure they can continue to sell into the global market.

Engineering Resilience

Bridging the visibility gap for smallholders is the most difficult challenge in sustainability, but it is the only path to a truly resilient industry. At SD Guthrie International, we refuse to take the easy path of exclusion.

By choosing SD Guthrie International, you are partnering with a leader that transforms complexity into clarity, ensuring your brand is built on a foundation of both ethical integrity and absolute transparency.

Restoring the Future with The “Beyond Zero” Framework

The “Beyond Zero” framework is our roadmap for the future. We’ve moved past the era of simply “doing no harm.” In a world facing climate and biodiversity crises, neutrality is no longer enough. The challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss require a “Nature Positive” approach – to actively restore the ecosystems that sustain our industry.

Under our “Restore” pillar, SD Guthrie International has committed to:

  • Large-scale Reforestation: We have already planted over 2.7 million trees as of FY2024.
  • Biodiversity Conservation: Our target is to conserve or restore 100,000 hectares of land across our sourcing landscapes by 2030.
  • Regenerative Agriculture: We are developing frameworks to improve soil health and reduce chemical inputs, ensuring that the land remains productive for generations to come.

Data with Purpose

Our commitment to restoration is what gives our traceability data its power. It is the evidence of a business model designed to actively repair the environment and not just monitor its decline. For our partners, every tonne of SD Guthrie International oil is a direct investment in the global effort to restore and protect the natural world.

Traceability Unlocks A Strategic Advantage for Your Brand

Choosing SD Guthrie International gives you a strategic edge that generic palm oil cannot match. We offer:

  • Guaranteed Market Access: New laws like the EUDR will soon block products without precise sourcing data. We provide the “passport” your products need to enter global markets without delay.
  • Independent ESG Proof: You don’t have to take our word for it. In 2025, we were ranked #1 globally on the SPOTT index with a score of 97.5%. This independent verification proves we are the industry standard for transparency.
  • Proactive Risk Management: We resolve issues openly through our public Grievance Tracker. In 2024, we maintained a 93% resolution rate, protecting your brand from unexpected reputational risks.

In a market that often focuses only on price, SD Guthrie International partners compete on documented trust. Oil that is satellite-monitored, verified, and ethical.

Traceability: The New Definition of Quality

The palm oil narrative has shifted. The history of a product is now as vital as the product itself. At SD Guthrie International, we’ve reframed traceability from a technical requirement into a core component of product value.

By merging global scale with the precision of our Crosscheck dashboard and the ambition of our “Beyond Zero” framework, we deliver a future-ready supply chain for the global market.

The future belongs to those who are willing to be seen. SD Guthrie International provides the high-volume supply you need with the high-integrity data your brand demands. We give you total control over your ingredients, your costs, and your reputation.

Secure your future with a transparent, resilient supply chain.

Contact our SD Guthrie International partnership team today for more information on how we can tailor a solution for your production line.

How Cocoa Butter Substitute (CBS) is Redefining Efficiency in a Volatile Chocolate Market

The Cocoa Dilemma: Why Tradition is Becoming a Liability

In the world of confectionery, tradition has always been king. For decades, the industry has held onto the idea that cocoa butter is the only “true” path to premium quality. But in today’s volatile market, relying exclusively on tradition is becoming a dangerous financial strategy.

The reality is stark, the cocoa market is in turmoil. Prices are fluctuating wildly, supply chains are straining under the weight of climate change and geopolitical pressure, and manufacturers are left absorbing the costs. For the modern confectioner, the “purity” of cocoa butter comes with a heavy price tag. Not just in raw material costs, but in operational complexity and supply uncertainty.

This brings us to a commercial reality. Cocoa Butter Substitutes (CBS) are no longer just the “budget” option. They are the smart option.

While the Western market has historically been slow to adopt substitutes due to lingering perceptions about texture, the Middle East and Asian markets have been leveraging these solutions for years to drive profitability and product resilience. They understood early on that in a global market, consistency beats “purity,” and functional performance pays dividends that tradition cannot.

At SD Guthrie, we are seeing a shift. The stigma is fading as the technology improves. We are moving past the era of waxy, inferior substitutes and entering an era where CBS offers a strategic advantage. Total control over your production line, your costs, and your final product’s performance.

What is a Cocoa Butter Substitute (CBS)? The Chemistry of Efficiency

To understand why CBS is the solution, we have to strip away the romanticised ideals of chocolate making and look at the actual chemistry. This is where the difference between profit and loss often sits.

Cocoa butter is a difficult ingredient, due to it being a temperamental fat. It is polymorphic, meaning it can crystallise in several different forms. Only one of those forms (Form V) gives you the snap and gloss consumers want. Achieving that requires tempering. A precise, energy-intensive process of heating and cooling that demands specialised machinery and constant vigilance. If the temperature wavers by a single degree, the product blooms, turning grey and unappetising.

Cocoa Butter Substitutes (CBS) rewrite these rules.

Derived primarily from Lauric oils (like Palm Kernel Oil), CBS is engineered to bypass the tempering process entirely. Unlike cocoa butter, which requires coaxing to crystallise correctly, CBS is a rapid-crystallising fat. It sets directly into a stable form without the need for thermal cycling.

The Operational Advantage

For a manufacturer, this shift is transformative. By switching to a high-quality CBS, you eliminate the tempering stage of your production line.

  • Energy Savings: You stop heating and cooling massive tanks of chocolate mass.
  • Throughput Speed: Your cooling tunnels can run faster because CBS sets sharper and quicker than cocoa butter.
  • Reduced Waste: You eliminate the risk of “bad batches” caused by poor tempering.

But the definition of a modern CBS goes beyond “ease of use.” It is about versatility. In the past, CBS was a blunt instrument, a single fat profile that offered hardness but little else. Today, through fractionation and hydrogenation, we can manipulate the triglyceride profiles to mimic the exact melting curve of cocoa butter, or deviate from it intentionally to solve specific problems.

Whether you are a newcomer to the market looking to set up a lean production line, or an established player trying to protect your margins from cocoa inflation, CBS offers a level of predictability that the cocoa bean simply cannot match.

SD Guthrie’s CBS. The Pragmatic Alternative.

Not all palm oil is created equal, and by extension, not all CBS is created equal.

The stigma of “waxy” mouthfeel often comes from generic, off-the-shelf fats that prioritise hardness over eating quality. At SD Guthrie, we approach CBS as a premium functional ingredient. To not just supply fat, but instead supply a tailored melting profile.

Global Scale, Local Precision

Our footprint speaks to our reliability. In 2024 alone, our monthly CBS production capacity stood at 1,500 MT. But more importantly, we are deploying this volume where the market needs it most:

  • 38% to Latin America and North America
  • 23% to the Middle East
  • 22% to South Asia
  • The remainder serving China, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and Australia.

This global distribution network reflects a crucial reality. That we are not just a typical supplier, but instead a logistics partner. In an industry where a delayed shipment can shut down a factory, our ability to route product through multiple global hubs ensures that your supply chain remains unbroken, regardless of regional disruptions.

The “KEMCOA” Advantage

Our portfolio is designed for flexibility. With more than seven active product ranges, including our flagship KEMCOA series, we offer a level of customisation that is rare in the bulk fats market.

Standard cocoa butter has one fat profile. You get what the bean gives you. SD Guthrie International’s CBS systems allow for distinct formulations:

  • Lecithin Options: We offer soy-based or allergen-free sunflower lecithin, allowing you to cater to clean-label demands.
  • Additive Levels: We can adjust formulations to align with strict destination country regulations, ensuring your product is compliant before it even leaves our refinery.
  • Custom Blending: We can tailor the fat composition to prioritise specific traits. Whether that is a steeper melting curve for a sharper “snap” or a slightly softer profile for better flavour release.

Looking Ahead: The Sei Mangkei Expansion

Not resting on our current capacity, we are currently constructing a new state-of-the-art refinery in Sei Mangkei, Indonesia.

Once operational, this facility will house a dedicated CBS production capacity of 300 MT per day. This is a significant leap forward from our existing facility in PGR. The Sei Mangkei refinery represents a major advancement in our production capabilities, designed from the ground up to handle high-specification fractionation with greater energy efficiency. It reinforces our commitment to innovation and strengthens our position as a leading global supplier ready to meet growing demand with scale.

Real-World Performance and Solving the “Tropical Problem”

One of the greatest limitations of traditional cocoa butter is its melting point. It melts at body temperature (around 34°C–37°C). This is perfect for mouthfeel, but it is a logistical nightmare for distribution in tropical climates.

If you are shipping chocolate to the Middle East, Southeast Asia, or Latin America, relying on pure cocoa butter means you are at the mercy of the cold chain. If a truck’s refrigeration fails for an hour, or if a retailer displays the product on a warm shelf, the product melts, blooms, and becomes unsellable.

Heat Resistance by Design

This is where SD Guthrie International’s CBS shines. Because we engineer the fat profile, we can tailor the heat resistance.

We can push the melting point higher than natural cocoa butter without destroying the eating experience. By carefully selecting specific Lauric fractions, we create a compound coating that remains stable at higher ambient temperatures, perfect for markets where 30°C+ days are the norm.

  • The “Clean Snap”: One of the hallmarks of a premium chocolate experience is the audible “snap” when you break a bar. Often, cheap substitutes feel like bending plastic. Our formulations are designed to retain that brittle, premium snap, even in warmer conditions.
  • Oxidative Stability: Lauric fats are naturally more resistant to oxidation than many unsaturated fats. This translates to a longer shelf life for your finished product, reducing waste at the retail level.
  • Gloss Retention: Because CBS crystallises so rapidly and stably, it maintains a high-gloss finish longer than cocoa butter, which can dull over time if not tempered perfectly.

For the manufacturer, this means you can expand into new, warmer markets without investing in an ultra-expensive deep-frozen supply chain. You can put your product on shelves in Jakarta, Dubai, or Mexico City with confidence that the consumer will experience the texture you intended.

The intention is not to “cheapen” the product, but to fortify it against the realities of the global environment.

Sustainability, Market Relevance, and Making the Ethical Choice

There is a misconception that moving away from cocoa butter is a step backward for sustainability. In reality, the cocoa supply chain is currently facing humanitarian and environmental reckoning. Issues of forced labour, deforestation, and unsustainable harvesting practices are rampant in the cocoa belts of West Africa.

Palm oil, when sourced responsibly, offers a transparent and ethical alternative.

Beyond Zero: Our Commitment

At SD Guthrie, sustainability is an operational mandate. Our approach is encapsulated in our “Beyond Zero” strategy – a shift from simply minimising harm to actively restoring nature and transforming lives, ensuring our business growth leaves the world better than we found it.

This commitment to absolute visibility across our global supply chain has secured us the #1 Global Ranking on the SPOTT assessment (Sustainability Policy Transparency Toolkit). Establishing ourselves as the highest-ranked transparent ESG brand in the industry.

This ranking independently verifies our operational integrity. By sourcing from SD Guthrie, you align your supply chain with the industry’s global benchmark for transparency and integrity.

As one of the world’s largest producers of RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil, we offer full traceability.

  • No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation (NDPE): We rigorously enforce these standards across our entire supply chain.
  • Ethical Sourcing: Unlike the opaque supply chains of the cocoa market, our vertical integration allows us to trace our oil back to the mill and the estate.

The Plant-Based Revolution

CBS is perfectly positioned for the booming plant-based market. As consumers demand dairy-free and vegan confectionery, manufacturers are looking for fats that provide the creamy mouthfeel of milk chocolate without the milk.

Our Lauric CBS solutions are 100% plant-based and can be formulated to replicate the creamy texture of dairy fats, allowing you to create vegan “milk” chocolate products that satisfy the indulgence factor without the animal ingredients.

In an era where consumers are scrutinising labels for both environmental impact and ethical sourcing, swapping volatile cocoa butter for RSPO-certified CBS is a narrative win. It allows brands to tell a story of reliability, safety, and verified sustainability.

The Future is Functional

The confectionery industry is at a crossroads. On one path lies the traditional reliance on cocoa butter, a path fraught with price spikes, supply shortages, and high processing costs. On the other path lies the functional future: Cocoa Butter Substitutes.

Where CBS used to be associated with compromise. It is now about precision.

  • Cost Efficiency: It insulates your bottom line from the chaos of the cocoa market.
  • Stable Supply: With SD Guthrie’s 1,500 MT/month capacity (and the upcoming Sei Mangkei refinery adding 300 MT/day), you have a partner who can scale with you.
  • Superior Functionality: From heat resistance in the tropics to skipping the tempering process in the factory, CBS solves operational headaches that have plagued chocolatiers for a century.

At SD Guthrie, we are defining what the future looks like by combining the scale of a global giant with the flexibility of a custom partner. Whether you need a heat-resistant coating for a summer launch in Brazil or a high-gloss glaze for a donut line in Europe, we have the formulation, and the supply chain, to make it happen.

Don’t let market volatility dictate your product strategy.

Take control of your ingredients, your costs, and your quality.

Ready to explore the potential of CBS? Contact our SD Guthrie partnership team today for more information on how we can tailor a solution for your production line.

Here’s Why We’re the Official Sustainability Partner of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2025 (RWMF)

SD Guthrie International is proud to be the Official Sustainability Partner of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2025. This partnership is rooted in shared values:

 

  1. Preserving cultural heritage
  2. Protecting biodiversity
  3. Empowering local communities


RWMF provides a global stage for sustainable celebration, and SDGI is honoured to walk alongside it.

 

We’re also introducing the Palm Oil-Powered Circular Kitchen Initiative, a closed-loop system that turns used cooking oil into new value, reflecting our commitment to responsible production and a circular economy.

 

At the festival’s Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS), Elaine Chan, our Head of Climate Change and Reporting, will speak on youth-driven climate resilience, connecting our leadership in sustainability with tomorrow’s changemakers.

 

Because when it comes to palm oil, we believe in responsibility, transparency, and positive impact.

 

Not All Palm Oil Is Created Equal.

 

Sarawak Cultural Village
June 20 – 22, 2025

SD Guthrie International Delivers First Shipment of EUDR-Compliant Palm Oil Ahead of New Rules

SD Guthrie International (SDGI), formerly known as Sime Darby Oils, has delivered its first shipments of 40,250 metric tons (MT) of palm oil to Europe and the United Kingdom, that is fully compliant with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

 

The landmark pilot shipment of 24,250 metric tons (MT) of palm oil, traceable and verified to meet stringent deforestation-free standards, arrived last week at SDGI’s Zwijndrecht Refinery in the Netherlands. Another shipment of 16,000 metric tons (MT) arrived at SDGI’s Liverpool Refinery in the United Kingdom today.

 

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of one of the world’s largest producers of certified sustainable palm oil – SD Guthrie Berhad (SD Guthrie), formerly Sime Darby Plantation Berhad – this milestone marks a major achievement in SDGI’s commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil, aligning with the evolving regulations in the EU market. The shipment, sourced from 102,337 hectares (ha) of oil palm plantations and smallholder farms within SD Guthrie’s supply chain, reflects the entire group’s efforts to build sustainable and resilient sources while enabling more palm oil producers to participate in the EU deforestation-free supply chain.

 

Dr Shariman Alwani, SDGI’s Chief Executive Officer said: “As the European market moves toward stricter sustainability requirements, we are proud to be at the forefront of delivering palm oil that meets the highest environmental standards. SD Guthrie International’s commitment to source from deforestation-free supply chains enables us to continue offering our customers products that not only comply with regulations but also contribute to a more sustainable future for all stakeholders.”

 

To achieve EUDR compliance, SDGI worked closely with SD Guthrie’s upstream division to ensure that detailed polygon maps and deforestation-free assessments of all plantations that meet stringent EUDR definitions were available. By utilising satellite imagery and partnering with a third-party verifier, SD Guthrie has been able to assess a forest baseline covering six (6) billion ha and analysed around 600,000 ha of its plantations for deforestation risks. These efforts were supported by comprehensive audit reports that also documented adherence to national legislation, International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards, and respect for native customary rights.

 

SD Guthrie established its No Deforestation, No Peat and No Exploitation policy in 2016. Supporting this policy, Dr Shariman said SDGI has been utilising Crosscheck since 2019, an online traceability tool that maps its palm oil from source to supply. The tool allows traders and buyers to pinpoint where issues may arise in the supply chain and raise alerts for corrective action to be taken. This, he said, will help SDGI ensure that its supply chain continue to adhere to the new EU rules.

 

“Our commitment to adhering to the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) goes beyond compliance. We view this as an opportunity to continuously improve our practices, ensuring that our supply chains remain transparent, traceable, and aligned with the global shift towards responsible sourcing. SD Guthrie International is fully committed to staying ahead of the evolving regulations, reinforcing our role as a trusted partner in delivering sustainable palm oil to Europe.”

 

Under imminent EUDR rules, starting December 30, products being exported into the EU including palm oil, soya, wood, coffee, cattle, cocoa and rubber require conclusive and verifiable proof they are not linked to deforestation at any point in the supply chain.

Sime Darby Plantation Rebrands to SD Guthrie

The new ‘SD Guthrie’ brand has been approved by shareholders of Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SD Plantation or the Company) at its Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held earlier today.

 

At the EGM, which was held immediately after the conclusion of the 21st Annual General Meeting of SD Plantation, shareholders’ approval was sought on the proposed change of the Company’s name. The Special Resolution was duly passed with extremely overwhelming support from shareholders, 99.99% of whom voted in favour of the proposal.

 

Approximately 80% of SD Plantation is owned by major Malaysian institutions, including Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP), Kumpulan Wang Persaraan [Diperbadankan] (KWAP), Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH), and Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (PERKESO).

 

“Today’s resounding endorsement echoes the trust and confidence our shareholders have in us,” said SD Plantation’s Chairman, Tan Sri Dr Nik Norzrul Thani Nik Hassan Thani. “The SD Guthrie brand carries much significance for us as an organisation, and I am delighted that we will embark on the next chapter of our 200-year history with this storied brand.”

 

The Company expresses its sincere gratitude to its shareholders, employees, customers and all its stakeholders for their continued support as it embarks on this exciting transformation. The proposed new brand has been submitted to the Companies Commission of Malaysia for approval.

 

The SD Guthrie brand pays homage to two great brands in the Malaysian plantation industry – Kumpulan Guthrie Berhad and Sime Darby Plantation Berhad. The Guthrie name is synonymous with one of the most audacious and successful moves made by PNB. In 1981, PNB executed a dawn raid on the London Stock Exchange, and in four hours was able to wrest control of Guthrie, bringing one of the giants of the industry under Malaysian control. In 2007, the Guthrie and Sime Darby groups merged with the Golden Hope Plantations Berhad, creating a much-enlarged Sime Darby Group. The largest division of the Sime Darby Group was SD Plantation.

 

SD Plantation was listed as a standalone company on Bursa Malaysia on 30 November 2017. This 2017 demerger of the Sime Darby group resulted in three listed “Sime Darby” companies, namely, Sime Darby Berhad, Sime Darby Property Berhad and SD Plantation. This situation often created confusion in the market as all three companies shared the same brand and logo. Another consideration was the fact that the “Sime Darby” brand is owned and controlled by Sime Darby Berhad. SD Plantation was a licensee under a Brand and Trademark Licensing Agreement, paying an annual fee for the right to use the brand. As a licensee, SD Plantation was required to seek Sime Darby Berhad’s permission and approval as the brand owner, on the uses and applications of the brand.

 

“As SD Guthrie, we will continue to drive long-term value for our stakeholders. We are exploring exciting new growth opportunities in adjacent sectors, in line with our values and purpose,” said SD Plantation’s Group Managing Director, Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha. On 7 May 2024, SD Plantation announced its plans to co-develop the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park in Perak, Malaysia, in collaboration with PNB, the Federal Government and the State of Perak. The plan also involves the establishment of 660 acres of solar farms as the principal green energy source for the area.

 

The new SD Guthrie logo will be unveiled soon.

 

The Company will trade on the Malaysian bourse as Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (Stock Code: 5285) until the registration and approval of the application of the new name are concluded through the Companies Commission of Malaysia.

SD Guthrie International Brings Home Two Awards for #GetMoving Challenge.

Less than a year ago, employees of SD Guthrie International (SDO) across the globe broke some serious sweat in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle during the pandemic, in a fun-filled 30–day ‘virtual run’ campaign called the #GetMoving Challenge, in line with our Culture of Care initiatives.

This global event, joined by thousands of our employees worldwide, provided contributions to not only the health of our employees, but to the welfare of our communities in the countries we operate in by raising donations funds to underprivileged societies.

Through this campaign, SD Guthrie International was nominated as a finalist in the PR Awards 2022 (Southeast Asia) by Marketing-Interactive, which was held in Shang-ri La Hotel Singapore on 13 May 2022.

Bagging home two awards, SD Guthrie International has received the following:

  • Best Use of Advocate (Gold)
  • Best Employee Engagement/Internal Communication (Bronze)

Receiving the awards live on stage were SD Guthrie International’ Head of Corporate Services, Shahrizan Aini Shamsul Khalil, Senior Manager of Value & Stakeholder Management, Mazlinda Mohamed and Manager of Corporate Branding, Elly Kartereena Ahmad Kamal.

On behalf of the SD Guthrie International management team, we would like to thank all of our employees who have made this possible and do expect bigger and greater things for the next #GetMoving Challenge!

Morakot Wins Superbrands Thailand 2021 Award

Another win for the books!

 

SD Guthrie International Morakot Public Co. Ltd has won the Superbrands Thailand 2021 Award for its 8th consecutive year!

 

We would like to thank the people of Thailand for their support towards the products of SD Guthrie International.

 

With this Superbrands Status, SD Guthrie International provides an assurance to our consumers that they are buying only the best from us.

Morakot secured two prestigious awards

Hitting two birds with one stone is a feat few could achieve, but SD Guthrie International Morakot Public Limited says otherwise!

 

Bringing home two separate awards, Morakot has won the Thai Food and Drug Administration Quality Award 2021 for Best Food Manufacturer, setting an example for quality standard, good governance, and social responsibility business.

 

Other than that, marking its seventh consecutive win for the annual No.1 Brand Thailand Award, they were also awarded Marketeer Magazine’s the most popular brand of ‘Cooking Oil’ segment for year 2020-2021.

 

SD Guthrie International is proud of the milestones we have achieved in 2021 and will continue to pave the way in delivering quality and sustainable products to our valued customers globally.

Sime Darby Oil OKU Sentral’s Drive Through Vaccination Center

On 16 June 2021, SD Guthrie International volunteered to be a helping hand at OKU Sentral’s Drive-through Vaccination Centre (PPV) here at the Sime Darby Plantation Tower in Ara Damansara.

 

A collaborative partnership with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Ministry of Health (MoH) and OKU Sentral, the programme saw 60 people with disabilities and 20 of their carers receiving their first vaccination dose on launch day.

 

The programme’s venue and logistics are provided by our upstream operations, Sime Darby Plantation and assisted by Yayasan Sime Darby and Ara Damansara Medical Centre.

 

A special thank you and appreciation to all of our volunteers, medical personnel from various organizations namely Protect Health, The People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA), OKU Sentral and our employees who had volunteered to help.

 

With this initiative, we hope to help to ease the vaccination process for the 13,500 registered recipients and their carers over the next few months.