Double A sets new goals in journey towards sustainable community development

Dubai, UAE, March 11, 2019:  Double A, Thailand’s largest pulp and paper manufacturer internationally recognized as the leading premium quality copy paper provider in more than 130 countries and more than 30 percent of its annual output destined for the Middle East and African market, continues its journey to be among the world’s most sustainable paper producers, with the support of one million farmers families. 

Since founded in 1991, Double A’s DNA has been to build a business model from the ground up that not only helps protect the environment and gives back to the community, but does so while manufacturing premium grade paper exported throughout the globe. 

Producing 600,000 tons of paper annually, the manufacturer’s novel business model is based on growing its proprietory hybrid strain of Double A Paper-Tree plant in thousands of hectares of otherwise unused land between rice paddies called KHAN-NA in Thai, in a normal agricultural practice in South East Asian countries. This unique business model called ‘Double A Paper from KHAN-NA’ model is also recognised by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certifcation (PEFC).

These plots are owned by one million Thai farmers across the country for different agricultural use. Paper from KHAN-NA concept gives value to these empty spaces by growing trees that supply the company with sustainable fibre while generating additional income to farmers’ families across Thailand. 

Double A believes that sustainable resources are the outcomes of strong societal values, and it has continuously worked through community empowerment and engagement, so farmers can do things worthwhile for themselves and their community. 

Double A offers many benefits to all stakeholders, namely by creating economic value from vacant small plots of Thai farmers’ lands, providing opportunities for employment, and helping secure the environment.

Double A, at the annual Paperworld Middle East trade fair 2019 which will take place from 18-20 March 2019 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, is one of more than 300 exhibitors from 40 countries. 

A regular participant at this annual three-day event, Double A will underline its green credentials when it puts the spotlight on its latest line-up of sustainably produced paper and stationery products.

Double A has its sustainable practices in its manufacturing process, where it also converts all its waste from the pulping process, oversized wood chip and tree barks into biomass fuel to supply to 90 percent of the energy requirement at Double A production.

The company’s trees are also good for the environment. According to a LCA (Life-Cycle Assessment) study done with the Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, one green ton is equal to the uptake of one ton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The average weight of the three year-old Double A Paper-Tree is approximately 60 kilograms, and there were approximately 19 million Double A Paper-Trees planted nationwide 2018.  This essentially means that in 2018, Double A Paper-Trees absorbed 1.14 million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Meanwhile, community initiatives continue on, such as the ‘Paper-Tree Village Fund’, whereby villages across Thailand grow Double A Paper Trees in their empty community spaces, and the proceeds of which go toward a collective fund that is then spent on community resources such as schools or health clinics.

The fund was established to develop community facilities agreed by all village members.  For example, a village in the Surin Province used its fund to build a child day care centre where parents can leave their children while they go to work.  Another village in the Buriram Province used the fund to build a rainwater storage reservoir that prevents flooding in the wet season, and provides water in the dry season. There are several instances such as these, where the funds have been very useful towards the betterment of the local community. 

Since 2014, the Paper-Tree Village Fund has generated 17.3 million baht (US$560,000) of additional income and funds for 679 participating villages across Thailand.

Through such initiatives, Double A believes that its trees can fulfil both support to community happiness and development while delivering quality copy paper produced under international environmental standards and quality management, which are exported to consumers all around the world. Double A is committed to continue working towards a sustainable development. 

Middle East, the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and Africa have always been among Double A’s key growth markets, Double A is keen to strengthen the partnership with interested companies and individuals to help grow Double A’s overall brand portfolio.  Which is also the main reason for Double A to exhibit at Paperworld Middle East 2019, the region’s largest trade fair for paper, office supplies, and stationery.

Paperworld Middle East 2019 will be another avenue for Double A team to meet our Middle East and African customers. The company will showcase its existing cut-size paper expansion plans and strategies, while launching new high quality office supply and stationery categories. 

In its 9th edition this year, the annual three-day event, through this unique platform for exhibitors, Double A look forward to connect with retailers, distributors, importers, corporate purchasing managers, and trade buyers from throughout the wider region. 

Other leading specialised paper manufacturers at Paperworld Middle East 2019 includes The Navigator Company from Portugal, Mepco, Ittihad and Dhara Paper from the UAE, and Modern Union Paper Products from Bahrain.

Organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the 9th edition of Paperworld Middle East will arrive with a new ‘More than Paper’ theme for 2019 reflecting its ever-expanding product range and value-added features that go well beyond traditional paper, stationery, and office supplies.  

A Corporate Gifts section, the Playworld Village for children’s toys and games, and the Green Room for eco-friendly sustainable stationery and office supplies are among some of the varied product offerings on show this year, as is the Leatherworld Pavilion stacked with the finest finished leather goods, apparel, and accessories. 

Other highlights include Wrap Star, the UAE’s only gift wrapping competition, and a two-day seminar programme ensuring industry professionals and insiders are kept up-to-date with the latest Middle East market trends.

New this year is the Qualatex Mystery Box, a unique competition inviting Middle East balloon artists create magical designs that are proving popular at weddings, parties, and themed events across the region.