Sumitomo Forestry, SCA, Navigator Company Join PEFC Alliance
Sumitomo Forestry, SCA, and The Navigator Company have become international stakeholder members of the PEFC Alliance. These three entities manage millions of hectares of forest globally, bringing their sustainable forest management and wood product operations into the PEFC framework.
Major Forest Product Companies Bolster PEFC Alliance
Sumitomo Forestry, SCA, and The Navigator Company have joined the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Alliance as international stakeholder members. This move integrates their operations, spanning sustainable forest management, timber processing, and wood construction, into the PEFC framework.
These organizations collectively manage millions of hectares of forests across multiple continents. Their participation will contribute expertise from across the forest value chain to PEFC’s global efforts in promoting responsible forest management and wood use.
International stakeholder members influence PEFC’s strategic direction as part of its General Assembly and contribute to working groups on standards and market promotions.
Sumitomo Forestry and SCA Detail Operations
Japan-based Sumitomo Forestry, established in 1691, manages over 370,000 hectares of forest in Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Canada, and the United States. Its activities include sustainable forest management, timber processing, wood construction, and renewable energy.
Yuko Iizuka, Head of Sustainability at Sumitomo Forestry, stated that the company’s dual perspective as both a producer and consumer across the forest value chain allows it to share practical insights with the PEFC community.
Similarly, SCA manages 2.7 million hectares of forest in Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, operating sawmills, pulp and paper mills, and renewable energy businesses.
The Navigator Company and Regulatory Influence
The Navigator Company, headquartered in Portugal, operates across sustainable forest management, pulp and paper production, tissue manufacturing, renewable energy, and sustainable packaging solutions. Sofia Castelão, Head of Management Systems at The Navigator Company, emphasized the importance of participating in discussions, especially with current European Union regulations.
The company intends to collaborate with PEFC International and national PEFC members through specific working groups to address specialized matters and develop new solutions. This engagement highlights the increasing focus on credibility and adaptability within forest certification systems to meet evolving regulatory landscapes.
Implications for Asian Timber Sourcing
The inclusion of Sumitomo Forestry, with its significant forest holdings and operations in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, directly impacts the availability and specification of PEFC-certified timber products for projects in Asia.
Procurement directors and specifiers in Asia can anticipate a more streamlined process for sourcing certified wood from a major regional player, aligning with growing demand for verifiable sustainable materials.
This membership strengthens PEFC’s reach in Asian markets, potentially simplifying compliance with international sustainability standards for regional construction and interiors projects. Buyers should confirm PEFC certification directly with suppliers and check specific product scopes for their projects.
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