Sukanto Tanoto
Diversified

Sukanto Tanoto Net Worth

Sukanto Tanoto is a Singapore-born Indonesian business magnate who owns Royal Golden Eagle, a conglomerate with business interests in pulp & paper, palm oil, and energy. Tanoto's business roots date back to the opening of his spare parts supply shop, Toko Motor, 50 years ago. He privatized Bracell, one of the world's largest producers of specialty cellulose, in 2016. His Tanoto Foundation donates to healthcare, and the government has raised concerns regarding environmental compliance at one of his pulp and paper units, which Tanoto's reps are addressing.
Sukanto Tanoto is a member of Diversified

Age, Biography and Wiki

Birth Place Singapore, Singapore, Indonesia
Residence Indonesia
Citizenship Indonesia
Traditional Chinese 陳江和
Simplified Chinese 陈江和
Hanyu Pinyin Chén Jiānghé
TranscriptionsStandard MandarinHanyu Pinyin Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Chén Jiānghé Chén Jiānghé

💰 Net worth: $3 Billion (2024)

Sukanto Tanoto, a prominent figure in the business world, is estimated to have a net worth of $3 billion by 2024. Renowned as a diversified entrepreneur in Indonesia, Tanoto has made significant contributions across various industries. Through his conglomerate, the Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) Group, he has established a strong presence in sectors including pulp and paper, palm oil, energy, and infrastructure. With his strategic investments and a keen eye for opportunities, Sukanto Tanoto continues to expand his business empire, solidifying his influential position in both the Indonesian and global markets.

2009 $1.6 Billion
2010 $1.9 Billion
2011 $1.9 Billion
2012 $2.8 Billion
2013 $2.8 Billion
2014 $2.1 Billion
2015 $1.8 Billion
2016 $1.3 Billion
2017 $1.5 Billion
2018 $1.18 Billion

Biography/Timeline

1949

Born in Medan, North Sumatra province, on Christmas Day 1949, Tanoto was the eldest of seven boys. His Father was an immigrant from Putian city in China's Fujian province. In 1966, Tanoto's education was abruptly interrupted after Chinese schools were shut down by then-President Suharto's new regime. He was prohibited from attending national schools due to his parents' Chinese citizenship.

1967

Tanoto's Business interests are represented by the Royal Golden Eagle (RGE), a global resource-based group of companies with Manufacturing operations in Indonesia, China, Brazil, Canada and Europe, and sales offices worldwide. Since Sukanto Tanoto started his entrepreneurial journey in 1967, the Business has grown considerably, with a workforce of over 60,000 people and its assets exceeding US$18 billion. The Business has five key operational areas: pulp and paper (Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings or APRIL, Asia Symbol), agro-industry (Asian Agri), specialty cellulose (Bracell Limited) and viscose fibre (Sateri) and Energy resources development (Pacific Oil & Gas). APRIL has been involved in conservation controversies related to the use of native Sumatran growth forests, which led to the company withdrawing from the Forest Stewardship Council in April 2010. In September 2011, Fuji Xerox ceased selling paper manufactured by APRIL. The company has denied the claims, stating it has a commitment to implement practices that mitigate climate change and promote sustainability. Furthermore, in June 2015, APRIL pledged to eliminate deforestation from its entire supply chain. The announcement was well received by both Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund.

1970

Tanoto is a self-educated Entrepreneur but regretted his interrupted education. He learned English word-for-word using a Chinese-English dictionary and finally attended Business school in Jakarta in the mid-1970s. He also undertook further studies at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.

1972

When his Father suffered a stroke, Tanoto was left to run the family Business. He gradually moved beyond basic trading to winning contracts in building gas pipelines for multinationals. During the 1972 oil crisis that increased prices dramatically, Tanoto took advantage of clients rapidly expanding their operations. With this injection of capital, Tanoto turned his attention to another Business in 1973, noticing that Indonesia exported raw logs for conversion into plywood in countries like Japan or Taiwan, before importing the finished plywood back to Indonesia at great cost.

1975

Tanoto recognized an opportunity to develop his own plywood mill in Indonesia. However, he required a permit to do so. Under the Suharto regime, permits were sought from politicians who often served as army generals. Tanoto was forced to work with a general who gave his blessing and was quickly convinced of the mill's potential after seeing the completed factory, with Tanoto citing the potential value-add to Indonesia's economy and the creation of new jobs. The plant began operations in 1975 after being inaugurated by Suharto. Slowly, from the plywood Business, his company branched out into palm oil as well as pulp and paper.

1981

Tanoto and his wife, Tinah Bingei Tanoto, began their philanthropic work in 1981 in Indonesia with the opening of a kindergarten in Besitang. They formally established the Tanoto Foundation in 2001. Its numerous educational initiatives have included the funding of Teacher training and the provision of over 700 scholarships a year. The Foundation also delivers basic amenities such as clean water and sanitation, as well as Health care. Through the provision of access to productive assets, startup capital, technical skills and links to markets, it helps to empower families and deliver sustainable livelihood.

1997

In 1997, Tanoto elected to settle in Singapore with his family, establishing his company's headquarters there.

2005

Tanoto donated the building of the INSEAD library in Singapore in 2005, which was renamed Tanoto Library in 2005.He was the first donor to the construction of the Beijing National Stadium in 2006. He also donated to the building of the Beijing National Aquatics Center.

2007

Sukanto Tanoto also awards professorship awards. In 2007, the award valued at US$130,000 was granted to two Indonesian academic Scientists for their efforts to enable socially-responsible technological research programs. He also funds a support professorship in metabolism and endocrinology at the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School in Singapore and is a regular donor to Carnegie Mellon, where his contributions fund the Tanoto Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering position. Three other professorship awards in the area of oncology, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases were also awarded in year 2016, 2013, 2014 respectively. The Foundation has also supported disaster relief efforts across Asia.

2010

Tanoto donated 30 million yuan for the construction of a public library in Rizhao, Shandong, China in 2010. He later donated 200,000 children's books to a public library in June 2016.

2013

Tanoto Foundation and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania launched the Tanoto Initiative in July 2013. It is a multi-component program to promote studies and research on ASEAS, with a focus on Indonesia. The Wharton faculty works closely with selected Indonesian universities to offer research grants, academic courses, exchange programs and scholarships aimed at deepening thought leadership and Business education in the ASEAN region.

2015

In Dec 2015, Tanoto launched the Tanoto Forestry Information Center at the Bogor Agricultural University. The Center supports the development of forestry science in Indonesia.

2016

In March 2016, Tanoto Foundation donated 100 million yuan to fund and develop training programmes under the One Belt, One Road framework for 10 years.

2017

In September 2017, Tanoto Foundation renewed its donation to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)'s Tanoto Centre for Asian Family Business and Entrepreneurship Studies.

Some Sukanto Tanoto images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.