Industrial process in palm oil mills emits huge number of tiny particles into the air which could bring adverse and irreversible impact to the environment. For years, air pollution caused by particle discharge originating from palm oil mills has been an issue of concern, raising protests and criticisms from public and environmental organisations alike.

Particle pollution refers to a mix of tiny solid and liquid particles that are in the air we breathe. These particles are in varying sizes, most are so small that they can only be seen with the help of an electron microscope. Exposure to high concentration of particles poses health threats to the public, especially to children and people with lung disease.

Study suggests that continuous exposure to these particles can lead to various health complications and can even lead to death. Increased awareness on the industrial impact to the environment in the past decades has led to many corporations moving towards finding greener and sustainable solutions to address the issue of particle pollution.

As one of the prominent plantation companies in the country, Boustead Plantations Berhad realises it roles and responsibilities to the environment and society at large in its day-to-day operations. Guided by the principles of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), BPB continues to push its sustainability agenda by taking the right turn to mitigate any adverse impact to the environment.

System such as Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) is installed in BPB’s mills operating nationwide as part of its measures to mitigate the impact coming from particles discharge. ESP is used in industries including in palm oil mill industry, particularly in boiler operation to minimise air pollution. It is an extremely effective system to remove harmful particulate matter from waste gases.

Thanks to ESP, we are able to mitigate the environmental impact right at the source, minimising the risk to the ecosystem. The system is a manifestation of Boustead Plantations Berhad’s aspiration in promoting sustainable agriculture.