RGE

Indonesia’s Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefkly Harsya, visited Asia Pacific Rayon (APR)’s operations at Riau complex to see first-hand the creative developments from resident local entrepreneurs. From culinary arts, crafts, to fashion, these drivers of creativity contribute to an alternative, border-transcending economy. “We hope this collaboration is a model for other regions in Indonesia,” the minister said, commending APR for building a space and system for “government, businesses, universities, media, associations, and financial institutions to work together to grow the creative economy in rural areas.” From planting eucalyptus saplings to handling viscose fibre that transforms into runway-ready outfits, read on to see highlights from the minister’s visit. #Creativity #Partnerships #APR2030

John Pereira, Deputy Head of Operations at Restorasi Ekosistem Riau (RER), shares his thoughts on the crucial role of collaboration in conservation. RER is an APRIL project launched in 2013, focused on conservation and restoration on Sumatra's Kampar Peninsula. Encompassing more than 150,000 hectares, RER is a sanctuary for 893 species of flora and fauna including the Sumatran tiger, the Sunda pangolin, and the Bornean river turtle. Yet success cannot solely be contributed to the RER team; it is a result of strategic partnerships between the local communities, NGOs, research institutions, and the Indonesian government. John believes the private sector has a crucial role to play in conservation, and that long-term sustainability is dependent on integrating biodiversity protection concepts and regulations into everyday business operations. Conservation initiatives are most effective when collaboration drives them forward: it’s a team sport. Read more of his insights on the challenges and impacts of collaborative conservation efforts here: https://lnkd.in/gzQZCpbk  #SustainabilityStartsHere #ConversationStartsHere #RER

In celebration of Afro fashion, culture, and identity, Bracell has teamed up with intrepid fashion designers and the genius seamstresses of COOPECIR Uniform Factory to deliver a jaw-dropping viscose outfit, all ready for the runway. Watch the outfit come to life with the help of the passionate team at the Uniform Factory, a social project sponsored by Bracell to empower black women of Bahia. In this second episode, get right up close to the catwalk of Afro Fashion Day, the largest black fashion event in Salvador, Brazil. #AfroFashionDay #Bracell #WomenEmpowerment #Viscose #Teamwork 

We are proud to announce that Sateri’s lyocell production facility in Changzhou, China, has been awarded the Science and Technology Progress Award, First Prize, by the China Textile Industry Federation. A natural fibre made from wood pulp, lyocell is easily biodegradable and compostable. Sateri’s Changzhou facilities enhance manufacturing efficiencies while producing sustainable products, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in both operations and products. This win underlines Sateri’s goal toward net-zero emissions with environmentally-friendly fabrics. Read more about lyocell here: https://lnkd.in/eEWAvXHi #SustainabilityStartsHere #Sateri #Lyocell #Innovation 

Brad Sanders, Head of Operations at Restorasi Ekosistem Riau (RER), spoke at a policy dialogue hosted by the ASEAN Secretariat in partnership with CIFOR - Center for International Forestry Research last week. Sharing updates on RER progresses in the last decade, Brad details how science and best practice in forestry and land management can come together to serve the climate, nature, and people. Read on about how the RER project has achieved zero fire incidents, limited encroachment, and steady increase in number of species in an area of forest on the coast of Sumatra roughly the size of greater London. #RER #APRIL2030 #Sustainability #Conservation

Transformed from an old farmhouse, the Migratory Bird Bookhouse is the first bird conservation-themed rural library in Jiangxi. Set up in a joint partnership between Sateri and Conservation International, the Bookhouse houses more than 400 books, interactive displays, and bird specimens. The Migratory Bird Bookhouse, along with the Great Swan Bookhouse established at Kangshan Primary School, were both selected by the Chinese Society of Forestry to be part of China’s Nature Library Collection. Other than providing a space for children’s extracurriculars and bird-watching activities, they also serve to foster awareness and promote biodiversity at Poyang Lake, China’s largest freshwater lake. This helps further Sateri’s efforts in restoring and conserving the vital ecosystem of Poyang Lake, protecting the livelihoods of more than 45 million people and critically endangered local species. Read on to learn more about how the two Bookhouses contribute to nationwide efforts in wetland conservation and education. #Conservation #Sateri #EnvironmentalResponsibility  

An integral part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage, batik not only plays a part in traditional rituals, but also holds a significant presence in the world of global fashion. To support the preservation of this timeless art while empowering the women of Pangkalan Kerinci, APRIL and Asia Pacific Rayon (APR) have teamed up to hold a joint batik training session this year. Themed “Batik Pattern Design and Colour Composition Training,” this year’s training was conducted by academics and fashionistas from the Maranatha Christian University. “It is necessary to increase design creativity to prevent batik patterns from becoming monotonous,” shares participant Ayu Ningsih of Rumah Batik Andalan Pelalawan. “We choose colour compositions and place motifs so that Riau batiks can have their own characteristics.” “We have been encouraging the growth of Batik in Riau since 2013,” says Sundari Berlian, Operational Manager of RAPP. “We need to continue to adapt to market trends to survive at the national and international levels.” Batik training such as these is a proponent in economic progress, as well as a symbol of how corporations and communities can collaborate in preserving the traditions of a land. It also drives the APRIL2030 and APR2030 initiatives in supporting gender equality and inclusive growth through empowering the women of the company and the community. #April #APR #CulturalPreservation #EmpoweringWomen 

In a world where biofuels are in increasing demand, how can Southeast Asia feedstock support this growing industry? Speaking at the recent Sustainable Aviation Futures Congress 2024, Lamberto Gaggiotti, Head of Green Energy Business at Apical, dived into the 3As of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production – Availability, Authenticity, and Acceptability. In a roundtable discussion moderated by Programme Director Arianna Baldo, Lamberto was joined by Caleb Wurth, Regional Director, Southeast Asia & Oceania, US Grains Council, Unnikrishnan Unnithan, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Dibiz Group, and Kim Mun Leong, President of the Malaysia Biomass Industries Confederation. With diverse feedstocks ranging from palm oil to corn, all of which can be used to produce sustainable aviation fuel, Southeast Asia plays a pivotal role in growing the biofuels industry. Lamberto believes a supportive and consistent biofuels policy across the region would place the focus on readily available waste and residue-based feedstocks, which do not compete with food. As a resource-based business with a strong presence and access to agriculture waste and residue feedstocks, Apical is well-positioned to address the industry challenge of sourcing the raw materials needed for SAF production. To fully optimise this potential, performing quantity and quality checks are crucial to ensure the authenticity of the feedstocks and guarantee the reliability and transparency of the supply chain. “We must ask questions to further determine if the feedstock is authentic, including if the supply chain is certified and traceable to the point of origin,” emphasised Lamberto. With demonstrated sustainability credentials and availability of feedstocks, as well as a 100% commitment to ISCC - International Sustainability and Carbon Certification, Apical is poised to play a significant role in the global transition of ushering in greener skies with sustainable aviation. Learn about our Sustainable Aviation Fuel initiatives here: https://lnkd.in/gUZcemnD #Apical #SAF #GreenerSkiesStartHere

Bracell, a member of RGE’s group of companies, has opened doors to a new landmark in the city of Lençóis Paulista —the Casa Bracell Social. This space will serve as a hub for Bracell Social, a private social investment programme working towards improving public education, championing female empowerment, and supporting productive entrepreneurship. In addition to these initiatives, the space is designed to be a meeting point, offering workshops, training sessions, and curated activities. “Our intention is for Casa Bracell Social to inspire every visitor and participant to envision new possibilities, contributing to the construction of a more promising future,” says Mouana Sioufi, Manager of Institutional Relations and Social Responsibility at Bracell. Learn more about Casa Bracell Social here: https://lnkd.in/gp7c-PFi #Bracell #CasaBracellSocial #socialresponsibility 

For the second consecutive year, Bracell, a member of the RGE group of companies, has proudly sponsored Afro Fashion Day, a fashion event focused on shining the spotlight on black beauty in Brazil. The celebration took place in November, a month dedicated to paying homage to the African ancestry of the country. To celebrate this years’ partnership, one of the designers, Filipe Dias, was challenged to create from scratch a runway-ready outfit made entirely of viscose handkerchiefs. These handkerchiefs were produced by the seamstresses of COOPECIR Uniform Factory, a social project sponsored by Bracell, with the goal of empowering black women in Bahia. Watch the first episode of how these seamstresses traveled from Bahia to see their work repurposed at a major fashion event and finally, presented on the runway. #AfroFashionDay #Bracell #empowerment