NEW YORK, NEW YORK, September 19, 2023 – (NewsWire) – At a landmark Roundtable event sponsored by SGP BioEnergy (“SGP”) during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, and the NGO on Private Sector Development at the United Nations to promote the Culture of Peace, SGP BioEnergy, in collaboration with Latino Farmers and Ranchers International (LFRI) organization, which represents a farming demographic which controls over 32 million acres and generates over $21.8 Billion in annual sales, per official statistics from the National Agriculture Statistical Service Census (NASS/USDA), signed a definitive landmark agreement to develop and supply industrial hemp to fuel SGP’s Golden City Biorefinery being developed in Panama, and planned localized manufacturing operations targeting OEMs in the auto, chemical and industrial markets and their desire to transition to more sustainable products.
Industrial Hemp is a non-food, carbon-neutral crop, which naturally enhances soil for food production and requires little water to grow, among many advantages. LFRI was instrumental in the legalization of Industrial Hemp in the United States and possesses an intellectual property suite of decades-long know-how and hands-on expertise in growing and optimizing this crop. SGP intends to apply proprietary genetics to enhance the production of the non-narcotic Industrial Hemp. In addition to their commitment to adhering to SGP’s stringent ESG plan, both groups committed to never displacing food production as part of their bioenergy growth strategy.
Aligned with all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) prescribed by the United Nations and the 2030 Agenda, SGP BioEnergy’s Zero-Waste Ecosystem platform presents a comprehensive guide to implementing industrial-scale bioenergy projects with a low to net zero carbon footprint. The integrated ecosystem is built upon five key Impact Pillars: Industrial, Economic, Humanitarian, Accountability, and Ownership. These pillars ensure the projects surpass SGP’s stringent ESG criteria, delivering maximum positive impact to all stakeholders.
At its completion, the $7.7 billion Golden City Biorefinery project, designed to produce 180,000 barrels per day of advanced renewable fuels, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Renewable Diesel for Marine and road, and low-cost Green Hydrogen, among other fuels, is slated to be the largest advanced biorefinery in the world with access to over 1,900 global ports. For SGP, the Golden City Biorefinery stands as a beacon for industrial-scale renewable energy infrastructure, promising over 3 million living-wage jobs, the rejuvenation of global agriculture, and the communities it supports.
SGP’s dedicated READY.GROW. The program is a global bioenergy feedstock development system delivering low-carbon-intensity feedstocks with end-to-end traceability, sustainable certification using ISCC, and other best practices. SGP intends to utilize these feedstocks to produce advanced biofuels, Green hydrogen, and products manufactured for the global OEM markets.
“Through the intricate synergy of the Golden City Biorefinery and our Zero Waste Ecosystem, the formal launch of our READY.GROW. Program represents our final, actionable point of implementation: ensuring that the ingredients needed to produce our advanced biofuels and consumer and industrial products are readily available, meet our stringent ESG criteria, and drive impact to the communities in which we operate; we’re not just envisioning a sustainable future – we’re actively constructing it”, expressed Randy Delbert Letang, CEO of SGP BioEnergy. “Each drop of biofuel from the Golden City Biorefinery symbolizes hope, progress, and our unwavering commitment to creating a world where sustainability and equity aren’t options – they are the standard.”, Letang continued.
Dr. Jorge Rivera Staff, Secretary of Energy of the Republic of Panama remarked, “The Golden City Biorefinery and SGP’s READY.GROW. program shows what we can achieve with vision, innovation, and collaboration. Panama has the best conditions to be at the forefront of this transformative journey towards a sustainable future for farmers and the world.”
Echoing these sentiments, Rudy Arredondo, President-CEO-Executive Director of LFRI (Latino Farmers and Ranchers International), stated, “SGP’s READY.GROW. Program is not just another agricultural project; it’s a movement. It lays the foundation for fair, just and equitable agriculture, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for the world.”
In addition to celebrating the historic signing, participants at the Roundtable, a high-level dialogue to drive real-world impact and unite for a greener, sustainable, and equitable future, will delve deep into the nuances of bioenergy, discussing its diverse potentials with the principal theme being Profit, Access & Impact for All – The development of Global Biofuels Ecosystems as a transformative initiative for Peace – The Cornerstone to a Transformational Sovereign Model: Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability.
About Latino Farmers and Ranchers International
Latino Farmers and Ranchers International, LFRI represents Latino farmers, ranchers, and producers throughout the US, a demographic responsible for over 32 million acres of production annually; we have served by providing both advocacy and technical support. In some areas, we have been the only source of support to small and developing farmers and the impoverished communities where many reside. Because of these needs, the LFRI has transitioned to a national and international organization with the administrative capacity to serve our members with boots on the ground. Moreover, we are now developing the necessary technical resources to assist our members in the various facets of agriculture, from cultivation to distribution to the development of innovative food systems in their communities. For more information about Latino Farmers and Ranchers International: https://lfrinc.org
About the NGO on Private Sector Development at the United Nations
The NGO Committee on Private Sector Development (UN, New York) is formed as a growing consensus-based coalition of NGOs having consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and of business organizations-affiliates having a vested interest in international development and security. The Committee represents a unique collaborative force led by civil society and private sector agents needed to work alongside governments to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We are bound by this shared conviction that peace and security challenges worldwide can only be met whenever and wherever economic opportunities thrive.
We exist to make the economy our top priority and urge governments at the United Nations to work collectively to leverage the convening power of the organization to champion their nation’s economic agenda. We urge governments to see their nation’s state of economy as a pathway to achieve a conducive political stability, democratization, peace, and security environment for the SDGs. For more information about the NGO on Private Sector Development at the United Nations, https://ngocommitteepsd.org
About SGP BioEnergy
SGP BioEnergy is a bioenergy business leader; we’re pioneers on a mission to revolutionize how the world consumes energy sustainably. Unfettered by ties to the traditional oil sector, we’ve assembled a powerhouse network of partners across agriculture, finance, manufacturing, and tech. We’re not just imagining a cleaner future — we’re making it happen for a growing roster of forward-thinking clients committed to sustainability.
But our vision goes beyond biofuels. We’re committed to achieving all 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. That’s why we’ve designed our flagship Golden City Biorefinery project around five pivotal Impact Pillars: Industrial Innovation, Economic Empowerment, Humanitarian Impact, Accountability, and Shared Ownership. Each pillar rigorously adheres to the highest ESG standards, creating a cohesive platform that comprehensively addresses global sustainability targets. For more information about SGP BioEnergy: www.SGPBioEnergy.com
Contact
Cristiano Vaughn, Director of Communications
cristiano@sgpbioenergy.com