PT Great Giant Pineapple (GGP) is an integrated pineapple plantation and factory, established in 1984 and registered in Indonesia. From its inception, GGP has prioritized sustainability, integrating green processes into its operations. Recognizing that production activities inevitably impact the environment, the company has committed to achieving zero waste through innovative waste management strategies.
Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage
GGP’s sustainability strategy not only mitigates risk and ensures compliance with environmental regulations but also fosters competitiveness and innovation. A key initiative involves treating wastewater from its pineapple and tapioca factories to produce biogas, a renewable energy source that replaces fossil fuels. This approach has turned waste into an opportunity, adding both environmental and economic value to the company.
Innovative Waste-to-Energy Solutions
The company implements the Environmental Management System ISO 14001:2004, receiving certification in July 2006. GGP views sustainability as an ongoing process rather than a one-time activity, which is reflected in its multiple green initiatives.
Its “Waste to Energy or Worth Project” converts liquid waste into biogas using an anaerobic Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) system. This biogas is then used to substitute coal consumption in power plants, generating steam and electricity for factory operations while replacing Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) for tapioca starch drying.
GGP is the first company in the world to combine wastewater from pineapple and tapioca factories for biogas production. Additionally, it is the first in the pineapple industry to use the UASB system, which enhances biogas yield, achieving 90% COD removal and 60–65% methane gas content. The utilization of biogas for steam and electricity production is also a first in Indonesia.
Industry Certifications and Recognition
As a green company, GGP holds EMS ISO 14001:2004 certification and has begun implementing Energy Management System (EnMS) ISO 50001, with certification targeted by the end of 2015. The company is also certified by Rainforest Alliance, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and OHSAS standards. These credentials, along with numerous environmental awards, enhance GGP’s reputation as an environmentally responsible corporation. Many clients prefer to do business with GGP due to its green processes and Traceability Quality Management system.
Organic Farming and Sustainable Soil Management
GGP believes environmental sustainability is achievable for companies of all sizes. The company rigorously measures the impact of its green policies using set environmental parameters, including the COM methodology for assessing wastewater treatment results.
Beyond waste management, GGP employs sustainable agricultural practices to maintain soil health. The plantation integrates solid compost as organic fertilizer alongside Liquid Organic Bio-fertilizer (LOB), which contains Rhyzo-bacteria to promote plant growth naturally. The combination of compost and LOB is considered a pioneering approach in large-scale pineapple plantations.
GGP is also the first company in Indonesia to construct a large-scale, modern organic fertilizer plant, utilizing innovative composting systems. Applying organic fertilizers improves soil structure, enhances root growth and nutrient absorption, and increases water retention, which allows plants to withstand dry seasons more efficiently. Additionally, this practice boosts soil biodiversity and nutrient availability.
Reducing Chemical Dependency for a Greener Future
By integrating organic fertilizers, GGP has significantly reduced its use of chemical fertilizers by 10% and is striving for a 40% reduction by 2020. This transition makes GGP’s farming operations more environmentally friendly, further solidifying its leadership in sustainable pineapple production.
Through these groundbreaking initiatives, PT Great Giant Pineapple continues to set new benchmarks in sustainability, proving that large-scale agricultural businesses can operate responsibly while maintaining profitability and global competitiveness.
