SINGAPORE, Nov. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With its sponsorship of this year's Sustainable Cosmetics Summit, held recently in Hong Kong (with the Paris event coming up in two weeks' time), Asia Plantation Capital (APC) continued its commitment and ongoing efforts towards driving sustainable development throughout the world.
The summit in Hong Kong was attended by more than 100 industry professionals at various stages of involvement and interest in all aspects of sustainability.
Associate Professor Dr Pakamas Chetpattananondh, from Thailand's Prince of Songkla University, and a key member of APC's Scientific Advisory Board, presented her current research paper on the growth, harvesting, and sustainability of the Aquilaria tree. She focused in particular on the trees' end product - Oud - and its properties that not only benefit society but also have a number of commercial applications.
The benefits of Oud, Dr Pakamas went on to highlight, range from extensive use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (with potential Western medicine applications in the near future), through to it becoming an integral part of an ever expanding range of cosmetic and lifestyle products.
"Even as we continue to deliver strong financial performance for our investors and shareholders," said Mr Barry Rawlinson - Chief Executive Officer, Asia Plantation Capital, "We are also focused on driving sustainability for society. It is a vital part of our company's core values, and central to our company's stated mission. Asia Plantation Capital's participation at the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit, in both Hong Kong and Paris, is a clear demonstration of our continuing commitment to spreading the message of how important sustainability is for corporations."
He continued, "We want to encourage more companies to start or expand on their efforts to incorporate a sustainability focus in their everyday operations. Simply being environmentally aware is not enough. Companies also need to engage with communities to build up society as a whole, for a more holistic approach to sustainability."
Established officially in 2008 (although operating privately since 2002), Asia Plantation Capital owns and/or operates diverse plantations and agricultural projects on four continents with operations at various stages in Thailand, Malaysia, China, Laos, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, North America and Europe.
Dr. Pakamas of Asia Plantation Capital's Scientific Advisory Board delivering a paper on Oud at the Summit
Part of the Asia Plantation Capital Group, APC also serves as plantation and agricultural managers and advisors to several Private Equity Funds that focus on the forestry, farming, and renewable energy investment sectors.
To date, in excess of US$600 million worth of plantations and biological assets are currently owned and/or under management on behalf of private clients, and this is expected to rise over the next decade, with a near horizon forecast of US$1 billion.
At the heart of Asia Plantation Capital's mission statement is the intention to become the world's leading operator of sustainably managed forestry and agricultural plantations. These operations range from project evaluation and plantation management, through to forestry product distribution. APC strongly regards corporate responsibility as not simply being about securing profits for shareholders and investors, but also about contributing positively to society and the environment.
"We are very pleased to welcome Asia Plantation Capital to participate in the Asia-Pacific and European editions of the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit, taking place in Hong Kong and Paris this November," said Amarjit Sahota, President of Organic Monitor, organiser of the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit.
"In recognition of their pioneering approach to plantations, we are proud to announce that Asia Plantation Capital is a finalist in the Sustainability Pioneer award at the Sustainable Beauty Awards, hosted in Paris on 24th November. They have been selected not just because their plantations are grown and harvested in a sustainable manner, but also because the company actively works with local communities to raise educational and living standards; this is important to discourage deforestation and other environmentally harmful activities."
Notes for Editors:
For further information, please contact:
Adrian Heng
Group Marketing Director
Email: adrian.heng@asiaplantationcapital.com
Office: +65 6222 3386
Mobile: +65 9750 7440
About Asia Plantation Capital
Quick facts:
Asia Plantation Capital (APC) is the owner and operator of a diverse range of commercial plantation and farming businesses across the Asia-Pacific region and around the world, and is part of the Asia Plantation Capital Group of associated companies. Its focus is on multicultural and diverse plantation projects geared to the domestic and commercial demands of the countries in which it operates. Working closely with, and supporting local communities, is an underlying core principle of the APC business, providing social and cultural support, as well as investment, to move these communities away from deforestation and illegal logging activities, previously seen as a main source of income in some regions of Asia. Established officially in 2008 (although operating privately since 2002) the group now has plantation and agricultural projects on four continents, with operational projects at various stages in Thailand, Malaysia, China, Laos, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, North America and Europe.
Promoting the use of sustainable and certified wood is the best way of preventing deforestation, protecting biodiversity, and combatting poverty in the tropical rainforest regions. For the yachting sector (a major user of teak) which strives for excellence and which is already involved in environmental efforts, this is also a way of ensuring that no wood from illegal logging is used.
About the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit
The Asia-Pacific edition of the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit will tackle some of the major marketing and technical issues associated with green cosmetics. Topics on the summit agenda include formulating paraben-free cosmetics, potential of organic baby care market, building regional distribution, developing halal-certified cosmetics, green emulsifiers & surfactants, ingredient authenticity and mislabelling, the power of nutri-cosmetics, and insights into the green Asian consumer.
Sustainable Cosmetics Summit Asia-Pacific will be once again hosted in Hong Kong on 10-11 November.
Organised by Organic Monitor, the aim of the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit is to encourage sustainability in the beauty industry by bringing together key stake-holders and debate key issues in a high-level forum.
Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20141118/8521406906-a
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Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20141118/8521406906-c
