Anderson Tanoto – RGE Managing Director

Anderson Tanoto is Managing Director at RGE and a member of the Executive Management Board. RGE is a group of world-class companies in resource-based manufacturing industries, operating in Indonesia, China, Brazil, Spain and Canada, with over US$35 billion in assets and a workforce of over 80,000 people. Anderson is also a member of the executive committee of Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL), one of the largest pulp and paper producers in the world.

Anderson drives RGE’s strategic growth initiatives and is closely involved in the group’s fibre operations and business transformation activities, specifically on sustainability and conservation efforts, including those at Asia Pacific Rayon (APR).

APR, Indonesia’s largest integrated viscose rayon producer, has launched its ten-year sustainability vision, APR2030. Anderson strongly believes that business growth and sustainability need to be on the same side of the equation, and the launch of APR2030 is very much aligned with this.

Anderson also emphasises how businesses across Asia are making serious commitments to decarbonise their operations and supply chains. A fundamental change is underway with the enhanced ability of businesses like APR to ensure that while the company produces, it also protects carbon and biodiversity, and empowers communities.

Reflecting Anderson’s commitment to sustainability, the APR2030 vision is based on four pillars: Positive Impacts on  Climate and Nature, Clean Manufacturing, Circularity, and Inclusive Prosperity.

Key initiatives include implementing science-based solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of viscose staple fibre production by 50% and sourcing 100% of mill energy from renewable sources. Through various community livelihood initiatives, APR is also revitalising Indonesia’s traditional textile craftsmanship, equipping women and youth with new skills, professional development opportunities, and improved income and well-being. These efforts aim to build a thriving textile hub by 2030 in Riau, where APR operates.

A young emerging business leader, he serves as Chairman for the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s (KADIN) Brazil Committee and has been KADIN’s representative to Canada since 2018. Anderson is also a Champion for Nature at the World Economic Forum (WEF). He has held memberships in the Tropical Forest Alliance 2020’s Southeast Asia Regional Committee, Wharton Executive Board for Asia, and WEF’s Global Agenda Council on Forests. As member of the Board of Trustees of the Tanoto Foundation, Anderson Tanoto drives programmes focussed on forging international partnerships with reputable universities and developing leaders of the next generation. He co-founded Asia’s first SDG Academy in 2019 with Indonesia’s Ministry of Development Planning and the UN Development Programme. He has also been recognised by Forbes as one of Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy.

Anderson Tanoto previously served as a consultant at Bain & Company and holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.