DAABON Group

DAABON Group is a three-generation agricultural conglomerate, owned by the Davila Abondano family.  Its headquarters is located in the Northern part of Colombia, in the Santa Marta region.

DAABON believes that palm oil can be produced ethically, in a way that gives human beings the benefit of this versatile natural product without damaging the planet. The group is committed to empowering its farmers and workers and investing in long-term community development. DAABON programs for small farmers and commitment to fair wages and fair trade are essential to deep-rooted growth and prosperity in the communities where it operates.

DAABON has set the highest standards in the industry for environmental protection, evident in its missions to only plant palms on previously deforested land, never clear forestland or plant on peat, and make sure to protect natural conservation areas for animals to live in. The group also maintain a zero-carbon footprint, primarily by investing millions of dollars in its own renewable energy sources.

The Group is  constantly looking for ways to go above and beyond existing third-party standards to make palm oil even better for people and the planet.

Our commitment on the movement

DAABON Group is a vertically-integrated palm oil operation.  The company is responsible of the production and distribution of sustainable palm oil through its fully owned subsidiaries located in: Colombia, USA – Miami, Japan – Tokyo, UK- London, Germany-Cologne, Australia-Melbourne.

Europe is a very important hub of advocacy for 100% sustainable palm oil, and the group has kept its promise to join synergies with other stakeholders interested in raise awareness about the palm oil concerns, as well as to contribute towards the European Goal to source only sustainable palm. DAABON strongly believes that palm oil can be produced in harmony with the environment and the people.

The group is committed to produce, import and to make palm oil, with the highest standard of sustainability, accessible to the manufacturing industry in the UK and Europe.

 

"We are happy that we are member of SPOC and we support the ethos and philosophy"
Astrid Duque, Managing Director DAABON UK Ltd

Our story

DAABON has set the highest standards in the industry for environmental protection, evident in its missions to only plant palms on previously deforested land, never clear forestland or plant on peat, and make sure to protect natural conservation areas for animals to live in, in total the group accounts for about 2124 ha.

The group farms without the use of toxic chemical pesticides or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Any plant-matter from the palm fruit milling process that can’t be converted into a commercial product becomes feed for animals and fertilizer for the palm trees themselves. In the same spirit of long-term sustainability, DAABON palm oil mill in Colombia captures and treats our wastewater, turning waste into a renewable biofuel that powers the facility and feeds energy back into the grid.

Being headquartered in the stunning natural beauty of the Santa Marta region of Colombia, DAABON group are lovers of nature themselves. The Group were the first certified organic palm oil company ever to be certified sustainable by the Rainforest Alliance. The company is careful to preserve habitats and protect beloved animal species like the anteaters who roam our palm farms. Protecting all rare, threatened or endangered species living on our land is a major priority to us, including armadillos, poison arrow frogs, 154 types of mammals including grey-handed night monkeys, about 400 species of birds, and numerous species of plants.

The farmers in Northern Colombia have seen much hardship and have had to face many challenges in creating livelihoods for themselves and their families. Many left the region to escape from conflict and keep their families safe. DAABON piloted a government initiative – Alliances for Peace – a smallholder program aimed at creating opportunities for those families returning to the region, and those who had remained.

DAABON’s Clean Development Mechanism Methane Recapture program was built in 2011 and has produced over 8 mm kwh to be used by the company and sold to the national grid. The income from this project is reinvested in the local communities supporting a series of entrepreneurial initiatives, ie:  bee farming project (DAABON is conscious of the power of bee -No bee No food-), providing the seed capital for a SME textile company run by women, that today produces the uniforms for the entire company, the local police and some schools.

Our UN Sustainable Development Goals

My organisation is most concerned with the following 7 UN SDGs:

  • Goal 1: No poverty
  • Goal 4: Quality education
  • Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
  • Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
  • Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
  • Goal 13: Climate action
  • Goal 15: Life on land

Our struggles and future plans

Sustainable production of palm oil is part of the Mission of the group, no problem or barrier small or big has/can stop DAABON’s determination and commitment.

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