Responsibly managed forests are an effective and sustainable way to use land. The European forest-based sector is helping to solve the global climate challenge. Our positive climate impact is equivalent to 20% of the EU’s fossil emissions each year. Net sinks in forests and forest products store 447 million tonnes of CO2.
Responsibly managed forests play a vital part in solving also other global challenges by
Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) is driving Europe’s forest growth. The industry has invested in the use of forest certification schemes such as the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification™ (PEFC) and further voluntary schemes.
EPIS members are committed to sourcing wood from sustainably managed forests.
This among other things means that:
Sustainable forest management preserves biodiversity and safeguards the forests for future generations. To ensure the benefits in the future, for every tree harvested, many more seedlings are planted.
Forests play a crucial economic role beyond serving as a renewable resource base. They are essential for providing significant income and employment opportunities in rural areas, contributing to various aspects of the forest-based value chain.
In a thriving ecosystem, trees serve as a valuable resource for sawmills, pulp production, and the creation of paper, board, and textiles. Additionally, this process generates different types of renewable energy and other by-products, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.
Pulp production involves cooking wood chips in a special chemical solution to separate the fibers. The resulting pulp can be used as a raw material for making paper, board, textile fibre and many other products. The properties of pulp depend on the raw material (softwood or hardwood) and they can be engineered to meet the specific requirements of a wide array of different products.
Market pulp is used in a vast number of different end-uses, but the main application areas are hygiene products, board, printing&writing and specialty paper manufacturing as well as in textiles.
Forest fibre-based products have a far better climate impact than fossil-based materials. Scientists are continuously developing new bio-products that will contribute to a more sustainable world.
A common feature in the research and development agenda for market pulp producers is to do more with less; excel in resource efficiency, low impact production and aim at zero waste enhancing not only the operational but also environmental performance of their industrial assets. For producers who own their own forests and plantations, the same is true in the forest innovation; to increase the yield per hectare and cultivate more draught and disease tolerant varieties of pulp wood.
Collaboration with customers is often centered around a strong technical approach, aimed at enhancing both quality and resource efficiency. This approach also fosters the development of innovative product solutions, thereby boosting the competitiveness of customers in a world that prioritizes low-carbon practices.
Taking advantage of wood’s full potential, totally new innovations have been born in the recent years:
The aforementioned serves as a tangible representation of the circular economy in action, illustrating how market pulp producers utilize every part of the tree, minimizing waste, and creating new sustainable products from renewable resources that ultimately contribute to the betterment of society.
2023 All Rights Reserved EPIS – The European Pulp Industry Sector AISBL
2023 All Rights Reserved
EPIS – The European Pulp Industry Sector AISBL