On 16 September, the first orders of FSC-certified timber were delivered from Södra Timber.
“The first contracts were purchased by our two biggest customers in the Netherlands, PontMeyer and Stiho," said Andreas Jonasson, marketing manager at Södra Timber.
Södra has for many years certified its forestry in accordance with PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes). Södra Timber customers are, however, increasingly requesting products with FSC-certification (Forest Stewardship Council).
As awareness grows amongst end consumers that forestry certification systems exist, interest in buying certified products is also increasing.
“FSC is a strong brand. In some countries FSC has also become a strong criteria in public procurement processes, which means our customers see it as a requirement for the timber they deliver,” Jonasson commented.
Interest in FSC-certified products is greatest in the Netherlands and Great Britain.
Simon Henry, British timber purchaser for Crown Timber, said:
“Demand for certified timber has increased rapidly in recent years and we can’t sell uncertified products to our customers. That our supplier Södra Timber can now deliver FSC further strengthens our market position.
Södra was accepted this spring as a member of the Swedish Forest Stewardship Council and can now offer those of its members who deliver to its mills the opportunity for dual certification under both FSC and PEFC. Currently, 1.5 million hectares of Södra member estates are PEFC certified. The objective is for two-thirds of the current PEFC area to be dual certified in 2010.
“Half the volume we measured during August was dual certified. The first deliveries of certified timber were shipped on 16 September and the volume of FSC-certified timber will steadily increase,” Jonasson added.
For further information contact:
Peter Nilsson, President Södra Timber, tel. +46 70 3150 927
Andreas Jonasson, Marketing Manager Södra Timber, tel. +46 70 3150 929