Philippine Coconut Authority Honors D&L Subsidiary Chemrez as the Coconut Industry’s Most Diversified and Innovative Company; cites CSR Leadership

​D&L Industries’ wholly owned subsidiary, Chemrez Technologies, Inc., was recently recognized by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) with the ff awards: (a) Most Diversified and Innovative Firm in the Philippine coconut industry (b) Most Socially Responsible Enterprise at the Coconut Industry Sustainability (COINS) Awards held on September 2, 2025, at the Westin Manila.

The PCA organized its inaugural COINS Award this year to celebrate outstanding contributions to the country’s coconut sector. Presented during National Coconut Week, the COINS Awards underscore PCA’s commitment to advancing the competitiveness of the coconut industry, promoting sustainable practices, and honoring partners whose initiatives uplift farmers and strengthen the entire value chain.

Advancing the coconut industry by developing higher value applications

As the industry’s most diversified and innovative company, Chemrez has been driving the advancement of the Philippine coconut sector for over four decades. The company pioneered the development of higher-value applications of coconut oil, going beyond traditional uses to open new applications and growth opportunities. From biofuels to coco-derived functional ingredients in personal care, health, and wellness, Chemrez has been instrumental in broadening the global reach and relevance of coconut oil, reinforcing its leadership in innovation, sustainability, and value creation.

In 2006, Chemrez built Asia’s first continuous Coco Methyl Ester (CME) or biodiesel plant in the country, essentially building the backbone of the Philippine biodiesel industry. To date, Chemrez supplies about 40% of the total biodiesel requirement of the country.  

On the global stage, Chemrez is recognized as a trusted supplier of sustainable and natural ingredients derived purely from coconut oil. These ingredients are widely used in personal care, home care, and wellness products. Its roster of customers include leading multinational companies that manufacture some of the world’s most recognized household brands. 

With the commercial operations of its new plant in Batangas, Chemrez—through its subsidiary Natura Aeropack Corporation (NAC)—is taking it further by strengthening its value chain through full vertical integration. The facility consolidates sourcing, formulation, packaging, OEM/ODM, and export capabilities, enabling Chemrez to provide end-to-end, direct-from-source manufacturing solutions to its global customers. By moving beyond ingredient supply to delivering finished consumer products, Chemrez captures higher value-added processing within the supply chain. What previously required multiple processors can now be accomplished under one roof. This integrated approach not only enhances efficiency and reduces costs but also advances sustainability by streamlining logistics, minimizing waste, and significantly lowering the carbon footprint of the entire supply chain. 

Driving Inclusive Growth Through CSR Leadership

Chemrez works with the Lao Foundation, Inc. for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives with the mission of uplifting and enriching the lives of the communities where it operates. Its programs focus on three pillars—education, values formation, and livelihood training—designed to empower individuals and strengthen farming communities.

Through partnerships with institutions such as Don Bosco and Dualtech, the Foundation has provided scholarships for children of coconut farmers, combining financial assistance with hands-on plant training and employment opportunities at Chemrez. These efforts enable graduates to build sustainable careers while contributing to inclusive industry growth. The Foundation also delivers livelihood training to communities near Chemrez facilities, equipping residents with practical skills that open new economic opportunities and foster long-term development.

At the industry level, Chemrez’s initiatives are rooted in empowering coconut farmers and their cooperatives. The company links copra-based cooperatives directly with private sector markets. In addition, Chemrez works with the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) and the PCA to develop strategic planning and social enterprise management skills of coconut farmers.  

Together, these initiatives underscore Chemrez’s commitment to inclusive growth, stronger communities, and shared value creation across the coconut industry.

“The PCA and the coconut industry provide many opportunities to share the advocacy of the Lao Foundation. This includes education, values formation and livelihood building. The award is recognition of the work and partnerships made by LFI to date. There is much more to do, and we see many opportunities to collaborate with the PCA, the LGUs, and the communities where our facilities operate”, Chemrez President & CEO Dean Lao, Jr. remarked. 

D&L Industries is a Filipino company engaged in product customization and specialization for the food, chemicals, plastics and consumer products ODM industries. The company’s principal business activities include manufacturing of customized food ingredients, specialty raw materials for plastics, and oleochemicals for personal and home care use. Established in 1963, D&L has the largest market share in each of the industries it serves, as well as long-standing customer relationships with the Philippines’ leading consumer and manufacturing companies. It was listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange in December 2012.