APP reports an increase in the availability of PEFC certified products, following certification in Indonesia

This is the first time PEFC certified fibre has been available in Indonesia and follows the award of Indonesian Forestry Certification Cooperation (IFCC) certification to over 300,000 hectares of APP suppliers’ plantations.

Extra Print premium pre-print uncoated woodfree range

The announcement will impact APP’s Extra Print premium pre-print uncoated woodfree range (60-400 gsm) across the UK and Europe.

Lee Henderson, European director, APP, told FoodProductionDaily Indonesia’s IFCC forest certification system has not only been endorsed by the PEFC, but has started certifying forest concessions in Indonesia.

“That means APP now has access to PEFC certified pulpwood sourced locally in Indonesia rather than relying solely on imported materials, which will lead to an overall increase in the availability of PEFC certified materials and products in the longer term​,” he said.

“Increased access to PEFC certified pulpwood makes the APP business more resilient and reduces our exposure to the fluctuations of international markets – that’s the main benefit for our customers.​

“Indonesia, like many other countries around the world, has its own certification bodies and standards. The importance of the PEFC /IFCC tie-up is it adds international recognition. That’s not only a sign of the progress that’s been made in Indonesia over the past few years, but also makes it much easier to have confidence in the purchase of Indonesian products – as the standards are internationally recognised.​

“We foresee with the growing demand of certified products, we may increase the range of our certified product offering in many markets around the world.​”

Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2020

The 306,400 hectares of IFCC-PEFC certified plantations are operated by two of APP’s suppliers in Riau province, Indonesia; PT. Arara Abadi and PT. Satria Perkasa Agung.

In addition, more than 1,000,000 hectares of plantation area are in the final stages of IFCC-PEFC certification, with certification anticipated imminently. This means APP will be closer to reaching its Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2020 target of 100% of pulpwood suppliers achieving sustainable forest management certification by 2020.

Aside from paper, and on the packaging and board side – two key products are Sinar Vanda GC1 paperboard and Sinar Pack GC2 paperboard.

“The way PEFC works is to provide international endorsement of national forestry certification systems​,” added Henderson.

“Together with other stakeholders, we’ve been actively involved in the development of IFCC which was designed from the ground up to match the requirements of the PEFC​.

“Ultimately, consumers care about how products are produced and their environmental impact. More customers are putting in place procurement policies that places preference in certified products. Packaging is no exception to this trend​.”