View source for Wilmar International

{{Short description|Singaporean food processing company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Wilmar International Limited
| native_name = 豐益國際
| logo = Wilmar International Logo.svg
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{sgx|F34}}<br />{{OTC Pink|WLMIY}}
| genre = 
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1991|04|01}} in [[Singapore]]
| founders = [[Kuok Khoon Hong| William Kuok Khoon Hong]]<br />[[Martua Sitorus]]
| area_served = 
| key_people = Kuok Khoon Hong (Chairman and CEO)
| industry = [[Food processing industry|Food processing]]
| products = Palm oil, protein meal, consumer pack [[edible oil]]s, sugar, specialty fats, oleochemicals and [[biodiesel]]
| services = 
| revenue={{profit}}US$73.40&nbsp;billion
| revenue_year = 2022
| operating_income = 
| net_income = {{profit}}US$2.42&nbsp;billion
| net_income_year = 2022
| assets = {{profit}}US$60.4&nbsp;billion
| assets_year = 2022
| equity = {{profit}}US$19.9&nbsp;billion
| equity_year = 2022
| parent = 
| num_employees = about 100,000
| num_employees_year = 2020
| divisions = 
| subsid = [[Unity Foods]]<br>[[Yihai Kerry]]
| caption = 
| homepage = {{url|www.wilmar-international.com}}
| footnotes = Data from 2022 Annual Report<ref name=AR2022>{{Cite web |url=https://media-wilmar.todayir.com/20230329084206349978152_en.pdf |title=Annual Report 2022 |publisher=Wilmar International |access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref>
}}
'''Wilmar International Limited''' ({{zh|s=丰益国际|t=豐益國際|poj=Hong-ek Kok-chè}})<ref name="businessweek">{{cite web|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot_article.asp?ticker=WIL:SP|title=WILMAR INTERNATIONAL LTD (WIL:Singapore Exchange): Company Description - Businessweek|publisher=investing.businessweek.com|access-date=30 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006054250/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot_article.asp?ticker=WIL:SP|archive-date=6 October 2012|url-status=dead}};<br /></ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wilmar International Limited,「丰益国际」 |url=https://www.kuokgroup.com/cn/businesses/wilmar |website=The Kuok Group |access-date=13 September 2020}}</ref> is a [[Singapore]]an [[food processing]] and [[investment]] [[holding company]] with more than 300 [[subsidiary]] companies.<ref name=AR2020>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wilmar-international.com/annualreport2020/pdf/Wilmar-International-AR2020.pdf |title=Annual Report 2020 |publisher=Wilmar International |access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>{{rp|18}} Founded in 1991, it is one of Asia's leading [[agribusiness]] groups alongside the [[COFCO Group]]. It ranks amongst the largest listed companies by market capitalisation on the [[Singapore Exchange]] (SGX), being the second largest as of September 2010.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/global/2010/0809/singapore-10-40-richest-kuok-khoon-hong-wilmar-harvest.html |work=[[Forbes.com]] | title=Wilmar's Harvest | date=9 August 2010}}</ref> It was ranked 211th in the [[Fortune Global 500]] list in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fortune.com/global500/wilmar-international/ |title=Fortune Global 500 |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref> It was ranked 3rd in the World's Most Admired Company (Food Production) by ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fortune.com/worlds-most-admired-companies/wilmar-international/ |title=Fortune World's Most Admired Companies |url-access=subscription |access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref>

Wilmar International business activities include [[oil palm]] cultivation, [[edible oil]]s refining, oilseeds crushing, consumer pack edible oils processing and merchandising, specialty fats, [[oleochemicals]], and [[biodiesel]] manufacturing, grains processing and merchandising, and sugar milling and refining. In 2021, Wilmar placed 2nd on FoodTalks' Global Top 30 Specialty Oil Companies list.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fu|first=Rice|date=2021-05-26|title=2021年全球特种油脂企业30强|url=https://www.foodtalks.cn/news/foodnews/top_100/6037|access-date=2022-01-24|website=FoodTalks|language=zh}}</ref> It has over 500 manufacturing plants and an extensive distribution network covering [[China]], [[Indonesia]], [[India]] and some 50 other countries. The group employs a multinational workforce of more than 100,000 people.<ref name=AR2020 />{{rp|28}}

Wilmar's merchandising and processing segment encompasses merchandising of [[#Palm oil|palm oil]] and [[laurics]]-related products, operations of palm oil processing and [[Refining|refinery]] plants and crushing, further processing and refining of a range of edible oils, [[oilseed]]s, [[grain]]s and [[soybean]]. Its consumer products include edible oils, rice, flour and noodles in China, Indonesia, [[Vietnam]] and India. Its plantation and palm oil mills segment engages in oil palm [[Plant cultivation|cultivation]] and [[Mill (grinding)|milling]].

Wilmar has come under criticism for its exploitation of [[child labour]] and [[Forced labour|slave labour]], as well as unsafe working conditions on its plantations amidst other worker mistreatment incidents.<ref name="amnesty1"/> The company has also been exposed for its environmentally degrading practices, and [[forced displacement]] of poor populations, amongst other unethical behaviours.<ref name="wilmaruganda"/><ref name="foeeurope"/><ref name="wwfwilmar"/>

==Business profile==
[[Unilever]] is one of the main customers of Wilmar. Unilever and Wilmar are members of the [[Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil]] (RSPO) which brings together retailers, producers and [[NGOs]] like [[Oxfam]] and [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]].<ref name=bbc2007>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6927890.stm |title=Losing land to palm oil in Kalimantan |publisher=BBC News |last=Painter |first=James |date=3 August 2007 |access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>

==Palm oil==
[[Palm oil]], extracted from [[palm fruit]] pulp, is Wilmar's main product. Palm oil is the most widely used edible oil, and there are 42&nbsp;million acres under cultivation worldwide. Commercial production has  helped many communities in Africa and South-east Asia tackle local poverty. However, environmentalists have been concerned that such widespread cultivation has led to [[deforestation]] and [[air pollution]], and is a threat to [[endangered species]]. In 2013, Wilmar changed its approach and endorsed [[sustainability]] principles, and now encourages their suppliers and customers to do likewise.{{Citation needed|date=November 2018}}

==History==
Wilmar was founded by [[Kuok Khoon Hong]] and [[Martua Sitorus]] on 1 April, 1991<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wilmar-international.com/about-us/history-milestones |title=History & Milestones |access-date=16 October 2021 |publisher=Wilmar International}}</ref> and commenced operations as a palm oil trading company.

Forbes named Kuok the twelfth richest person in Singapore in 2021<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/kuok-khoon-hong-1/?list=singapore-billionaires&sh=3a1d113b5872 |title=#12 Kuok Khoon Hong & family |magazine=Forbes |date=10 August 2021 |access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref> and Martua is the twelfth richest person in [[Indonesia]].<ref name=2.Forbes>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/martua-sitorus/?list=indonesia-billionaires&sh=4e40bd15a0ef |title=#12 Martua Sitorus |magazine=Forbes  |date=16 October 2021 |access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>

;1999
* Formed a joint venture with India's [[Adani Group]] called [[Adani Wilmar]], to manufacture and distribute edible oils, flour, rice, pulses and sugar among others in India.<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 November 2020|title=Adani Wilmar completes 20 years of Fortune brand; to set up new plants across businesses|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/adani-wilmar-completes-20-years-of-fortune-brand-to-set-up-new-plants-across-businesses/2135589/|access-date=10 March 2021|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}}</ref>

;2003
* Established the first compound fertiliser manufacturing plant with a production capacity of 120,000 tonnes per year.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

;2004
* Opened the first [[oleochemical]]s plant in [[Shanghai]].{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

;2005
* Acquired a controlling interest in [[Jakarta Stock Exchange]] listed PT Cahaya Kalbar Tbk, a producer of specialty oils and fats for the chocolate, cocoa confectionery industry, bakery and cakes ingredient industry, and beverage and food industry.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

;2006
* Renamed Wilmar International Limited on 14 July, 2006 upon completion of the reverse takeover of Ezyhealth Asia Pacific Ltd.<ref name="mpob">{{cite web |title=palmnewsdetail |url=http://palmnews.mpob.gov.my/palmnewsdetails/palmnewsdetail.php?idnews=3031 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803062803/http://palmnews.mpob.gov.my/palmnewsdetails/palmnewsdetail.php?idnews=3031 |archive-date=3 August 2016 |access-date=30 May 2016 |publisher=Malaysian Palm Oil Board}}</ref>

;2007
* Completed the merger with Kuok Group's palm plantation, edible oils, grains and related businesses in a deal worth US$2.7&nbsp;billion, as well as a restructuring exercise to acquire the edible oils, oilseeds, grains and related businesses of Wilmar Holdings Pte Ltd (WHPL), including interests held by Archer Daniels Midland Asia Pacific (ADM) and its subsidiaries in these businesses, for US$1.6&nbsp;billion;{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}
* Formed a joint venture (JV) with Olam International Ltd and SIFCA Group, one of Africa's largest agro-industrial groups with significant interests across palm oil, cotton seed oil, natural rubber and sugar sectors in Africa. The JV was aimed at developing a regional leadership position in palm oil, natural rubber, sugar and potentially in other agricultural plantation crops in Africa;{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}
* Entry into the Philippines with the setting-up of two coconut oil mills and refineries in [[President Manuel A. Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte]] and [[Gingoog, Misamis Oriental]].{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

;2008
* Formed a joint venture with Nizhny Novgorod Fats & Oils Group and Delta Exports Pte Ltd to spearhead expansion in Russia and the CIS countries.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

;2010
* Expanded into the sugar business through the acquisition of [[Sucrogen]] Limited, the largest raw [[sugar producer]] and refiner in Australia, and PT Jawamanis Rafinasi, a leading sugar refinery in Indonesia.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}
* Acquired Natural Oleochemicals, a leading oleochemicals producer with significant market share in Europe and Asia and a growing presence in the US.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

;2011
* Further expanded into the sugar business through the acquisition of PT Duta Sugar International in Indonesia and Proserpine Mill in Australia{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}
* Expanded its African footprint to Ghana through the acquisition of Benso Oil Palm Plantations Limited, a company listed on Ghana Stock Exchange{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

;2012
* Acquired approximately 30,000 hectares of land in Nigeria for expansion of oil palm plantations;
* Established a 50:50 joint venture company, [[Yihai Kerry]] Kellogg Foods (Shanghai) Company Ltd, with Kellogg Company for the manufacture, sale and distribution of breakfast cereals and savoury snacks in China;
* Formed a 50:50 Joint Venture with Clariant Ltd for production and sales of amines and selected amines derivatives;
* Formed strategic partnership with Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) in tropical oils refining in Europe, global fertiliser purchasing and distribution, and global ocean freight operations. Launched Olenex CV. headquartered in Rolle, Switzerland to handle the sales and marketing of refined vegetable oils and fats to European Area and Switzerland
* Completed four palm oil milling plants with an aggregate hourly capacity of 200 MT
*In 2012, Wilmar was named the world's least environmentally friendly company by US news magazine ''[[Newsweek]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/10/22/newsweek-green-rankings-2012-global-500-list.html|title=Green Rankings 2012: Global Companies|website=[[The Daily Beast]]}}</ref>

;2013
*Due to their poor environmental performance Wilmar was excluded<ref name="aftenposten">{{cite web|url=http://www.aftenposten.no/okonomi/Oljefondet-kvittet-seg-med-verdens-verste-selskap-7141977.html |title= Aftenposten: Oljefondet kvittet seg med "verdens verste selskap" (in Norwegian) |publisher=aftenposten.no|access-date=30 May 2016}}</ref> in 2013 from [[The Government Pension Fund of Norway]], the largest stock owner in Europe.<ref name="e24">{{cite web|url=http://e24.no/makro-og-politikk/article2971889.ece |title= Sindre Heyerdahl, E24. "OLJEFONDETS GIGANTTAP PÅ AKTIV FORVALTNING: Mener Gjedrem bløffer om investeringene" (in Norwegian). |last=Heyerdahl|first=Sindre|date= 11 March 2009 |publisher=e24.no|access-date=30 May 2016}}</ref>

;2015
* Together with [[First Pacific]], acquired [[Goodman Fielder]] of Australia and New Zealand for $1.3&nbsp;billion Australian dollars.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our History {{!}} Goodman Fielder |url=https://goodmanfielder.com/who-we-are/our-history/ |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=goodmanfielder.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

;2018
* Wilmar joined forces with Aidenvironment, a consultancy to develop a group mapping database that allows Wilmar's suppliers to be monitored in relation to its No Deforestation, No Peat & No Exploitation Policy (NDPE) policy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/news/raising-the-bar-on-palm-oil-wilmar-using-satellites-to-track-deforestation-corbion-signs-up-to-sustainable-network.html|title = Raising the bar on palm oil: Wilmar using satellites to track deforestation, Corbion signs up to sustainable network}}</ref> Wilmar planned to use satellites to monitor its suppliers making it impossible for them to get away with forest destruction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/news/tracking-sustainable-palm-oil-unilever-uses-geospatial-analytics-for-more-sophisticated-crackdown-on-deforestation.html|title = Tracking sustainable palm oil: Unilever uses geospatial analytics for "sophisticated" deforestation crackdown}}</ref>
* Wilmar broke ties with GAMA (a palm oil company owned by a former Wilmar executive) because GAMA had razed forests in Indonesia twice the size of Paris, but then decided to resume purchasing GAMA palm oil in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 May 2020|title=Top palm oil producer Wilmar drops out of climate change group {{!}} ASEAN Today|url=https://www.aseantoday.com/2020/05/top-palm-oil-producer-wilmar-drops-out-of-climate-change-group/|access-date=4 January 2022|website=www.aseantoday.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

;2020
* Wilmar International was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) under the Asia Pacific Index for the Food, Beverage and Tobacco industry <ref>{{Cite web|title=Wilmar debuts on Dow Jones Sustainability Index|url=https://www.theedgesingapore.com/news/sustainability/wilmar-debuts-dow-jones-sustainability-index}}</ref>
* Wilmar International resigned 2 April from the steering group of the High Carbon Stock Approach (HCSA), a widely supported mechanism to distinguish forest areas that should be protected from degraded areas that can be developed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.mongabay.com/2020/04/palm-oil-wilmar-hcsa-deforestation-forest-carbon/|title=Watchdogs lament palm oil giant Wilmar's exit from forest conservation alliance|date=8 April 2020|website=Mongabay Environmental News}}</ref>
* Wilmar secured a $200 million sustainability-linked loan to Wilmar International Limited to help advance the agribusiness’ sustainability agenda.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.world-grain.com/articles/14224-wilmar-inks-sustainability-linked-loan|title=Wilmar inks sustainability-linked loan|website=www.world-grain.com}}</ref>
* A joint venture between Wilmar and PZ Cussons - PZ Wilmar - restated its commitment to building a sustainable future for palm oil.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/pz-committed-to-boost-economy/|title='PZ committed to boost economy'|date=14 August 2020}}</ref>

==Ethical issues==
In 2004, [[Friends of the Earth Europe|Friends of the Earth Netherlands]] performed a review of Wilmar's palm oil operations in [[Sumatra]] Riau as undertaken by PT Jatim Jaya Perkasa. Wilmar had 20,800 hectares of land there and the operation was financed by the Dutch [[Rabobank]] and the [[International Finance Corporation]]. Satellite photos proved that in 2004, the plantations were on sea shore [[peat]] [[rain forests]], the depth of the peat being four meters, whereas such land is actually protected under Indonesian law. Nevertheless, in 1997 Wilmar received permission to plant there despite it being peat land. According to locals, the plantation endangers the [[Sumatran tiger]] population that inhabits the area, and this became a point of conflict with Wilmar in 2004. Soon after, Wilmar sold PT Jatim Jaya Perkasa and joined the [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]] Palm Oil Association.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}

According to Friends of the Earth Netherlands, Wilmar International starts [[forest fire]]s and violates the rights of local populations.<ref name="foeeurope">{{cite web|url=http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2007/July3_PDC_Wilmar_PalmOil.htm |title=World's biggest palm oil trader shamed &#124; Friends of the Earth Europe &#124; Company involved in forest fires, deforestation and illegal activities |publisher=foeeurope.org|access-date=30 May 2016|archivedate=April 30, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430122358/https://friendsoftheearth.eu/press-release/worlds-biggest-palm-oil-trader-shamed/}}</ref> In July 2007, [[Friends of the Earth]] and two local environmental organizations criticized Wilmar's [[illegal logging|illegal forest felling]] in [[Kalimantan]], in Indonesia.<ref name="bbc2007"/> As a result of this campaign against Wilmar's projects in [[Sambas Regency|Sambas]], [[West Kalimantan]], the company agreed to implement a number of new measures and policies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Communities force Wilmar to address bad practices|url=http://www.downtoearth-indonesia.org/story/communities-force-wilmar-address-bad-practices|website=Down To Earth|access-date=31 December 2014}}</ref>

In July 2013, a report published by the WWF which documented that Wilmar (as well as the Indonesian company [[Royal Golden Eagle#Asian Agri|Asian Agri]]) were purchasing palm oil fruit which was grown illegally in [[Tesso Nilo National Park]], Sumatra.<ref name="wwfwilmar">{{cite web|title=REPORT: Palming off a National Park: Tracking Illegal Palm Oil Fruit in Riau, Sumatra|url=http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/about_forests/?209261/REPORT-Palming-off-a-National-Park-Tracking-Illegal-Palm-Oil-Fruit-in-Riau-Sumatra|website=World Wildlife Fund|access-date=31 December 2014|archivedate=December 31, 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231104458/http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/about_forests/?209261/REPORT-Palming-off-a-National-Park-Tracking-Illegal-Palm-Oil-Fruit-in-Riau-Sumatra}}</ref> According to the [[Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil]], both Wilmar and Asian Agri took immediate action to stop this illegal sourcing.<ref>{{cite web|title=STATEMENT FROM THE RSPO ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPARENT AND RESPONSIBLE SOURCING OF FRESH FRUIT BUNCHES |url=http://www.rspo.org/news-and-events/news/statement-from-the-rspo-on-the-importance-of-transparent-and-responsible-sourcing-of-fresh-fruit-bunches-|website=Roundtable On Sustainable Palm Oil|date=31 July 2013|access-date=31 December 2014}}</ref>

In October 2015, Wilmar and Sinarmas, reportedly involved with the case of forest fires in Indonesia that led to the island of Sumatra and Kalimantan burn and cause catastrophic [[Southeast Asian haze|smog]]<ref>{{Cite web|title = Perusahaan Grup Wilmar dan Sinar Mas Paling Banyak Menyumbang Titik Api|url = http://www.kabarhukum.com/2015/10/07/perusahaan-grup-wilmar-dan-sinar-mas-paling-banyak-menyumbang-titik-api/|access-date = 11 November 2015}}</ref>

In 2018, a [[Greenpeace International]] [[Greenpeace#Wilmar International palm-oil issue|report]] asserted that Wilmar International is "the biggest and dirtiest palm oil trader in the world"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.greenpeace.org/international/press-release/19292/oreo-maker-linked-to-destruction-of-orangutan-habitat-for-palm-oil-in-indonesia/|title=Oreo maker linked to destruction of orangutan habitat for palm oil in Indonesia|date=13 November 2018 |website=Greenpeace.org |access-date=16 November 2018 }}</ref>

In 2020, global campaign organisation Mighty Earth reported that Wilmar International was involved in cutting down of natural forests inside an oil palm concession in Indonesia's easternmost region of Papua, but Wilmar's investigation concluded that the deforestation is smaller than alleged and done by [[smallholding|smallholder]] farmers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.mongabay.com/2020/12/wilmar-medco-papua-capitol-deforestation-high-carbon-stock-conservation-value/|title=Palm oil giant Wilmar unfazed as watchdogs cry foul over Papua deforestation|date=8 December 2020|website=Mongabay Environmental News}}</ref>

=== Uganda ===
According to [[Friends of the Earth]], Wilmar and [[Bidco Africa]] through Bidco Uganda, have been involved in long running dispute over land with local communities.<ref name="foei.org">{{cite web|last=FOEI| url=http://www.foei.org/press/archive-by-subject/food-sovereignty-press/ugandan-oil-palm-conglomerate-taken-court-land-grab-claims| title=Ugandan oil palm conglomerate taken to court over land-grab claims| publisher=[[Friends of the Earth International|Foei.org]] (FOEI)| access-date=26 February 2016|date=19 February 2015}}</ref>

According to [[The Guardian]] in March 2015, the land grab issue has plagued the community of Kalangala for a number of years. In July 2011, residents awoke to "find yellow machines churning up her land and razing the crops she had grown in a bid to make way for palm oil plantations."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/mar/03/ugandan-farmers-take-on-palm-oil-giants-over-land-grab-claims| title=Ugandan farmers take on palm oil giants over land grab claims|first=Alon |last=Mwesigwa|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=3 March 2015|access-date=26 February 2016}}</ref> [[Bidco Africa]] and Wilmar have made no recorded statement on these matters. Again according to [[Friends of the Earth International]], the projects implications include: Forced displacement, poor labour standards, deforestation, and insecurity amongst other.<ref name="wilmaruganda">{{cite web|url=http://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/93/7b/3/3078/Issue_Brief_5_-_Wilmar_in_Uganda.pdf|title=Palm oil landgrab in Uganda: Wilmar International's violations in Kalangala Island|access-date=26 February 2016|last=FOEI|publisher=Libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102200/http://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/93/7b/3/3078/Issue_Brief_5_-_Wilmar_in_Uganda.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The community have now taken the conglomerate to court.<ref name="foei.org"/><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w21NJGbtBuQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/w21NJGbtBuQ |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=The Land Grab – Uganda's farmers battle with palm oil producers|date=12 July 2015|work=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In February 2016, the [[United Nations Development Programme]] (UNDP) received a petition from the Bugala Farmers Association in [[Uganda]] related to UNDP's association with Bidco Africa Ltd.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2016/02/25/statement-concerning-undp-business-call-to-action-and-bidco-africa-ltd-.html|title=Statement concerning UNDP, Business Call to Action and Bidco Africa Ltd.}}</ref>
A complaint was also received by the UNDP's Stakeholder Response Mechanism (SRM) and Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://info.undp.org/sites/registry/secu/SECUPages/CaseDetail.aspx?ItemID=7|title=Social and Environmental Compliance Unit - Case Registry|website=info.undp.org}}</ref> In May 2016, [[UNDP]] visited Kalangala to further investigate the issues surrounding the matter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0ifty2XUTw|title=UNDP to Investigate Rights Violations at BIDCO|last=NBS TV Uganda|date=29 May 2016|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> In November 2016, the UNDP faulted a decision inviting Bidco Ltd into partnership with the United Nations Development Programme's Business Call to Action in Uganda.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bidco is not fit to join UNDP's project – UN|url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2016/11/18/bidco-is-not-fi-t-to-join-undps-project-un_c1457644|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119144140/https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2016/11/18/bidco-is-not-fi-t-to-join-undps-project-un_c1457644|archive-date=19 November 2016|website=The Star}}</ref>

=== Human right violations in 2016 ===
On 30 November 2016, [[Amnesty International]] published a report into working conditions on the Wilmar International plantations and refineries in Indonesia. It alleged human rights abuses, including "forced labour, low pay, exposure to toxic chemicals and discrimination against women".<ref name="amnesty1">{{cite web|title=Human rights abuses in your shopping basket|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/11/sustainable-palm-oil-abuse-exposed/|website=www.amnesty.org|date=30 November 2016|archivedate=April 30, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430121952/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/11/sustainable-palm-oil-abuse-exposed/}}</ref> According to [[Amnesty International]], Wilmar International profited from 8- to 14-year-old child labour and forced labour. Some workers were extorted, threatened or not paid for work. Some workers suffered severe injuries from exposure to [[herbicide]]s containing [[paraquat]]. Wilmar customers include [[FAMSA]], [[Archer Daniels Midland|ADM]], [[Colgate-Palmolive]], [[Elevance]], [[Kellogg's]], [[Nestlé]], [[Procter & Gamble]], [[Reckitt Benckiser]] and [[Unilever]]. Wilmar palm oil may be used in popular products like [[Magnum (ice cream)|Magnum]] ice-cream, [[Colgate (toothpaste)|Colgate]] toothpaste, [[Dove (toiletries)]], [[Knorr (brand)|Knorr]] soup, [[KitKat]], [[Pantene]] shampoo, [[Ariel (detergent)|Ariel]], and [[Pot Noodle]].<ref>[https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa21/5184/2016/en/ THE GREAT PALM OIL SCANDAL: LABOUR ABUSES BEHIND BIG BRAND NAMES] Amnesty International 30 November 2016</ref>

===NDPE Initiatives===
On 5 December 2013, Wilmar committed to a No Deforestation, No Peat & No Exploitation Policy (NDPE policy)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wilmar-international.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/No-Deforestation-No-Peat-No-Exploitation-Policy.pdf |title=No Deforestation, No Peat & No Exploitation Policy |date=5 December 2013 |publisher=Wilmar International |access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref> for both its own operations and third party suppliers.<ref name="climateadvisers">{{cite web |date=5 December 2013 |url=http://www.climateadvisers.com/tft-and-climate-advisers-welcome-wilmars-transformative-policies-to-protect-forests-and-people/ |title=TFT and Climate Advisers Welcome Wilmar's Transformative Policies to Protect Forests and People &#124; Climate Advisers |publisher=Climate Advisers |website=climateadvisers.com |access-date=30 May 2016}}</ref> It promised to stop buying from suppliers who cleared forest, drained peat land, or exploited locals.<ref name="grist.org">{{cite web |url=http://grist.org/food/48-hours-that-changed-the-future-of-rainforests/ |last=Johnson |first=Nathanael |date=2 April 2015 |title=48 hours that changed the future of rainforests |publisher=Grist Magazine, Inc. |website=grist.org |access-date=30 May 2016}}</ref> This was lauded as a transformational step towards responsible and sustainable palm oil development.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/wilmar-no-deforestation-commitment-food-production |title=Wilmar's 'no deforestation' commitment could revolutionise the way food is grown |last=Poynton |first=Scott |newspaper=The Guardian |date=29 January 2014 |access-date=30 May 2016}}</ref> Preliminary analysis estimated that Wilmar's commitment would eliminate more than 1.5Gt CO<sub>2</sub> emissions in total between 2016 and 2020.<ref name="climateadvisers" />

=== Recognition / Awards ===

In 2015, Wilmar won the Special Recognition Award at the Singapore Apex CSR Awards 2015 organised by the Global Compact Network Singapore, Singapore Business Federation and The Business Times. It was hailed for being the first major palm oil player to step up to ensure its supply chain is de-linked from any forest destruction and human rights abuse.<ref name="eco-business">{{cite web|url=http://www.eco-business.com/news/singapore-businesses-mark-10-years-of-csr-push/|title=Singapore businesses mark 10 years of CSR push &#124; News &#124; Eco-Business &#124; Asia Pacific|publisher=eco-business.com|access-date=30 May 2016}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.wilmar-international.com Official Website]

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{{Palm oil}}

[[Category:Agriculture companies of Singapore]]
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[[Category:Companies in the Straits Times Index]]
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[[Category:Palm oil production in Indonesia]]
[[Category:Palm oil production in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Palm oil production in Nigeria]]
[[Category:Agriculture companies established in 1991]]
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