Cha Uat 60 MT/HR Factory Construction In September 2024, we commenced the construction of our 6th Processing Factory with capacity 60 mt FFB/ hour at our Cha Uat   site in Nakhon Sri Thammarat. Foundation work for the factory buildings and machinery is now underway, with the goal of having everything ready for erection and installation in 2025. The target for commissioning will be in December 2025.

Steam Turbine Upgrades At Topi and Lamthap factories, we have replaced the single stage steam turbines with higher efficiency, multistage, steam turbines. This upgrade had increased electricity generation from our biomass feed stock to enable the full operation (both FFB processing and PK crushing) using biomass renewable power. Previously we were supplementing power from the local grid as well as from our renewable biogas source. With the new turbine we do not require to buy in power from the grid and can channel all our biogas energy for sales to the local grid. This also enables us to lower our cost of production.

Siam Dust collecting Bag Filter Unit As part of our initiative to reduce our smoke emissions from our factories, we have completed our second dust collecting bag filter unit at Siam factory. The bag filter is able to remove suspended dust particles from the smoke emissions. Since commissioning in November 2024, it has proven to be very effective in reduction of smoke emissions, and we have been able to reduce the dust particles from over 200 PPM to below 100 PPM, which is significantly below the newly proposed regulations. Our local stakeholders are also very supportive of this initiative. We aim to complete similar installations to all of our factories by 2026.

Replacement Gas Engine No.2 for Topi This is the second of three replacement gas engines at Topi was replaced. After 15 years of service, the 0.952 MW Guascor engine was due for replacement. A new Cummins biogas engine was installed as a replacement. This biogas engine is a major component for generating electricity to sell to the local power grid. It utilizes biogas produced from the palm oil mill effluent treatment system, before the treated wastewater is supplied to the irrigation system within the plantation.

Univanich Replanting Replanting of our older palm stands continued as programmed. It is essential to replant the older stands of oil palm and maximise our productivity. Replanting allows for the newer improved planting material to reach our yield potential, and also reduces harvesting costs that are associated with the older taller palms, where the yield is declining. A young age profile is essential to improving productivity and maximizing yield. In 2024 we continued with our replanting of Siam Palm estate, Wanee estate and Cha Uat estate. Best Management practices were carried out to ensure cover crop was reestablished to prevent erosion, especially in sloping areas. Empty fruit bunches have been used extensively in our replanting areas to restore organic matter and to mulch the young seedlings to retain moisture and suppress weed growth.