Blue Bell, PA. (February 24, 2015) – Acme-Hardesty, Co., a division of Jacob Stern & Sons, Inc. — and one of the largest distributors of RSPO-certified palm products, castor oils and derivatives, and preservatives — today announced that it has achieved RSPO Mass Balance Supply Chain Certification, guaranteeing that all Acme-Hardesty U.S.-based facilities have met the criteria required by RSPO for processing sustainable palm oil and derivatives.

“Until recently, consumers had no way of verifying that the palm oil in a product was produced responsibly. The RSPO Mass Balance Supply Chain Certification addresses this issue by reducing the risk of non-sustainable palm oil use by consumers while further driving the mainstream trade of sustainable palm oil,” said Gary Martin, Acme-Hardesty Director of Global Supply Chain. “All organizations in the entire supply chain must undergo a strict verification process on a regular basis by accredited certifying agencies.”

Acme-Hardesty’s RSPO certification will enable its customers — particularly those in the chemical, cleaning, personal care, food processing and nutraceuticals industries — to carry a seal of approval on products made with Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO), verifying that the palm oil used is sustainable and traceable through standards met by each facility in the supply chain.

“Acme-Hardesty believes that what we do makes a difference — to each other, our customers and the future of the world in which we live,” said Karen Graziano, Acme-Hardesty Director of Advanced Renewables Development. “Offering RSPO palm oil allows us to meet rising customer demand for sustainable palm oil products, all while doing business responsibly and ethically, encouraging producers to adopt more sustainable practices. Our palm oil commitment extends beyond certification to ensure that the entire supply chain process — from palm plantation to consumer — is managed responsibly and aligned with our three pillars of sustainability: People, Distribution and Innovation.”

 About Acme-Hardesty, Co.

Headquartered in Blue Bell, Pa., and a division of Jacob Stern & Sons, Acme-Hardesty, Co. is one of the largest distributors of RSPO-certified palm products, castor oils and derivatives, and preservatives. Handling a full range of bio-based glycerine, fatty acids and fatty alcohols, Acme-Hardesty maintains inventory from coast-to-coast in the U.S. The company has been supplying renewable, bio-based chemicals for more than 70 years and was built upon a history of innovation and growth. Many of its customers embrace a strong commitment to protecting the environment and are focused on advancing the sustainability of their products. Acme-Hardesty partners with manufacturers that implement the latest technologies minimize their carbon footprint and use feedstocks that do not deplete limited resources. To learn more, visit http://www.acme-hardesty.com.

 About Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a not-for-profit that unites stakeholders from the 7 sectors of the palm oil industry: oil palm producers, processors or traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks/investors, and environmental and social non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil.

The RSPO has developed a set of environmental and social criteria which companies must comply with in order to produce Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO). When they are properly applied, these criteria can help to minimize the negative impact of palm oil cultivation on the environment and communities in palm oil-producing regions.

The RSPO has more than 1,700 members worldwide who represent all links along the palm oil supply chain. They have committed to produce, source and/or use sustainable palm oil certified by the RSPO. To learn more, visit http://www.rspo.org/.