SCHIEDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – Cargill will provide Unilever’s European operations with 10,000 tonnes of segregated refined palm oil certified by the Round Table for Sustainable Palm Oil under a supply agreement, Cargill said.

“Unilever is ahead of plan to achieving 100% sustainable palm oil by 2015 with over 35% already being R.S.P.O.-certified this year,” said Marc Engel, chief procurement officer at London-based Unilever. “Today’s announcement marks another important milestone in our journey to 100% sustainable palm oil, as Cargill’s physically segregated certified oil will be delivered in our factories and used in our products.”

Cargill, Minneapolis, has a goal of buying 60% of its total crude palm oil form R.S.P.O. members by the end of 2010.

“Our agreement with Unilever is the result of both companies’ strong commitment to supporting responsible supply chains,” said Paul Naar, head of Cargill’s food business in Europe. “As the demand for certified sustainable palm oil continues to grow, we are combining our supply chain expertise and industry knowledge to provide customers with choices to meet their particular requirements.”

Both Cargill and Unilever belong to the R.S.P.O., which seeks to promote the growth and use of sustainable oil palm products through credible global standards and the engagement of shareholders. The R.S.P.O. includes oil palm producers, palm oil processors or traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks and investors, environmental or nature conservation non-governmental organizations and social or developmental non-governmental organizations.