Sukanto Tanoto

Tanoto's business interests are represented by the Royal Golden Eagle (RGE), a global resource-based group of companies with manufacturing operations in Indonesia, China, Brazil, Canada and Europe and sales offices worldwide. Since Tanoto started his entrepreneurial journey in 1967, the business has grown considerably, with a workforce of over 80,000 people and assets exceeding US$40 billion. The business has five key operational areas: pulp and paper (Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings or APRIL, Asia Symbol, Vinda), agro-industry (Asian Agri, Apical), specialty cellulose (Bracell Limited), viscose fibre (Sateri, Asia Pacific Rayon), and energy resources development (Pacific Energy, formerly Pacific Oil & Gas).

In early 2016, Tanoto announced an update of the RGE groupwide business principles - to do what is good for community, country, climate and company. In 2017, marking his 50th year as an entrepreneur, Sukanto Tanoto introduced 'Customer' as the fifth C.

APRIL Deforestation Controversy

APRIL has been involved in conservation controversies related to the use of native Sumatran growth forests, which led to the company withdrawing from the Forest Stewardship Council in April 2010. In September 2011, Fuji Xerox ceased selling paper manufactured by APRIL. The company has denied the claims, stating it has a commitment to implement practices that mitigate climate change and promote sustainability. In a 2013 report, Greenpeace addresses the influence of deforestation for palm oil that drives Sumatran tigers toward extinction. According to that report, "Tanoto, through his business empire, carries the dubious distinction of being the single largest driver of deforestation in the world identified by Greenpeace." In June 2015, APRIL pledged to eliminate deforestation from its entire supply chain. The announcement was well received by both Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund.