APRIL Group, a Riau-based producer of pulp, paper, and packaging, has published a progress report on its APRIL2030 sustainability targets. Launched in November 2020, APRIL2030 was set up as the company’s response to the Decade of Action issued by the global community to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Among the highlights reported, emissions from land use change are down by more than 20%, and APRIL now sends less than half as much solid waste to landfill per tonne of product than it did prior to the start of this decade. APRIL2030 includes 18 targets across four core pillars: Climate Positive, Thriving Landscapes, Inclusive Progress, and Sustainable Growth.

The report, “Progress & Pathways: An Update on APRIL2030 Sustainability Commitments and Targets", highlights achievements but also the challenges of implementation so far in emissions reduction, waste management, and increased investment in conservation.

RGE Managing Director Anderson Tanoto said: “Four years on, as we take stock of progress so far, we have delivered on what we said we would do, while demonstrating that business growth and sustainability transformation can go in hand-in-hand as an effective business strategy.”

“APRIL2030 provides a comprehensive framework that spans from the upstream plantation process to the downstream manufacturing operations,” said Sihol Aritonang, President Director of PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP), the operational arm of APRIL Group. 

Response to Climate

Under the Climate Positive pillar, APRIL is seeing reductions in its carbon footprint. Its net-zero emissions target for land use change has achieved a 20% reduction, lowering emissions by 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent from a 2019 baseline. According to the report, this was a result of the company’s sustainable forest management practices and its commitment to no deforestation policy, which is a key driver in lowering emissions.

Additionally, APRIL has increased its use of renewable energy, with biodiesel now comprising 33.1% of its energy mix, up from 19% in 2019, with an aim to reach by 50% by 2030. The company’s shift from B30 to B35 biodiesel blend for its plantation sector machinery and trucks boosted its percentage of cleaner and renewable energy sources powering its fiber operations.

APRIL continues to ramp up its on-site solar generation capacity to supply renewable energy for its pulp, paper packaging and viscose rayon operations. Currently, 84% of the operational energy needs of the mills are met by renewable sources, including solar panel, biomass, and byproducts from the production process. Supported by declining cost of solar power, the company has set a new goal of 50 MW by 2030, with now generating 26.3 MW.

Investing in Nature

In 2015 at COP21, APRIL made a one-for-one commitment to restore one hectare of forest for every hectare of plantation, in line with its Production-Protection approach.

In 2020, the company committed to allot US$1 for every tonne of fiber delivered to the mill. According to the report more than $60 million has been allocated for conservation work since 2020.

APRIL’s research and development work in a variety of fields has also contributed to a 12% increase in its fiber plantation productivity, without increasing land footprint.

Empowering Communities

Schools supported by the company have reported increasing numeracy and literacy rates. The percentage of those reaching the national assessment standard for numeracy in the target schools went from 28.3% in 2021 to 55.7% in 2023, while the equivalent increase for literacy was from 52.7% to 67%.

The company is also working in tandem with local governments to improve child nutrition and reduce infant stunting in villages surrounding its plantations. The number of villages with 14% or less stunting has risen from 16 in 2019 to 74 in 2024, a trend which continues to improve.

Additionally, APRIL has expanded facilities supporting women, including lactation rooms and childcare centers that extend even to the company’s plantation estates.

Circular Production

The report says that APRIL is on track to achieving its 80% reduction target in solid waste to landfill. This achievement has been made possible through a range of initiatives, such as repurposing bottom ash from power boilers as a sub-base for roads, as well as converting brown fiber from pulp production and sludge from its wastewater treatment plant into feedstock to fuel the boilers.

This article was published in collaboration with APRIL Group.