June 10, 2015 12:06 AM EDT
HONG KONG, CHINA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/10/15 --Asia Pulp & Paper Group(APP) can offer customers with a greater range of Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified products across its global markets by the end of 2015. This follows the award of Indonesian Forestry Certification Cooperation (IFCC) certification to over 300,000 hectares of APP suppliers' plantations.
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 respectively. 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 that APP will be much closer to reaching its Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2020 target of 100% of pulpwood suppliers achieving sustainable forest management certification by 2020 - significantly ahead of target.
"Consumers increasingly demand sustainable and certified products. APP embraces all credible certification schemes, and is a member and supporter of the PEFC. We have been working hard to help develop the Indonesian national sustainable forest management certification, and have helped to ensure that it is fully aligned with globally recognised standards, because we recognise that independent assurance of sustainable forest management is very important for our customers. Through our work to support the development of the IFCC, its endorsement by the PEFC and the hard work of our suppliers in meeting the IFCC's international standards, we have achieved this goal.