Public Consultation for United Nations CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) Univanich has been holding public meetings to explain the company’s objective to build biogas power projects and to register for Certified Emission Reductions (CER’s or Carbon Credits) under the United Nations Protocol on Climate Change. In the picture above, the Univanich project team led by Factories Manager Somphon Tantitham, presents the company’s plans to the Lamthap Communitiy. Members of the Community and other interested stakeholders were encouraged to raise questions at the consultation meeting. A detailed survey after the meeting revealed strong community support for the proposed project which was generally seen to help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and by generating electricity from a renewable local resource.

Progress in Oil Palm Tissue Culture Dr Palat Tittinutchanon, Head of Oil Palm Research, explains the various stages of clone development to visitors to the company’s Tissue Culture Laboratory. The Univanich laboratory was constructed in 2005 to support the company’s expanded oil palm breeding activities. Initial objectives are to clone elite parent palms from the company’s hybrid breeding programme.

Minister of Agriculture and Senior Officials visit Univanich On 15th July 2007, Thailand ‘s Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Dr Teera Sutabutr, visited Univanich Palm Oil PCL, accompanied by senior ministry officials. Also accompanying the Minister was the Krabi Governor Mr Siva Sirisaowalak. In this picture Estate Manager, Mr Amorn Chaisalee, presents the results of an irrigation trial in the company’s Chean Vanich Estate. On 15th July 2007, Thailand ‘s Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Dr Teera Sutabutr, visited Univanich Palm Oil PCL, accompanied by senior ministry officials. Also accompanying the Minister was the Krabi Governor Mr Siva Sirisaowalak. In this picture Estate Manager, Mr Amorn Chaisalee, presents the results of an irrigation trial in the company’s Chean Vanich Estate. The Minister congratulated Univanich Managing Director, Mr John Clendon, on the achievements of the company’s Research Centre and on the international success of the oil palm breeding programme.

Expanding Seed Exports to South America Following the success of earlier trial plantings of Univanich seeds in South America , oil palm growers there have recently increased their orders for the latest generation of Univanich hybrid seeds.Several large consignments of seeds have recently been airfreighted from Phuket International Airport , mainly to Colombia , which is South America ‘s leading palm oil producer and exporter. With interest in Univanich DxP hybrid seeds continuing to grow in overseas markets, the company has expanded production facilities and introduced ISO 9001 auditing procedures to maintain high quality standards in the seed production unit.

A bright light on the horizon At Univanich, surplus methane biogas emitted naturally from the organic waste of palm oil factories, is now destroyed in a flare and no longer escapes to the atmosphere as a damaging greenhouse gas.

International seeds marketing The recent Price Outlook Conference in Malaysia was attended by more than 1,800 international palm oil producers and consumers. Univanich was represented at a trade booth to promote awareness of the company’s high yielding oil palm seeds, and to meet customers from around the world.