Alpi Group earns FSC certification

Mar 10, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Alpi Group continues its pursuit of “excellence in forest management” by expanding the FSC chain of custody certification, already obtained for Italian poplar, to include ayous originating from Africa. Ayous and poplar are the crucial raw materials Alpi Group uses to produce Alpilignum veneers, the decorative wood that has now become a world-wide symbol of the Group. The Forest Stewardship Council label, FSC, certifies that the wood comes either from forests managed in a proper, responsible manner that meets rigorous environmental, social and economic standards, or from other verified sources. Luciano Pradal, director of the Group’s companies operating in Africa, stated: “This important objective was achieved after first receiving OLB (Origine et Légalité des Bois) certification in 2009, which demonstrates not only that the wood was obtained legally, but also that important measures were taken to improve worker safety and health, to ensure that sites and plants meet regulations and to optimize management. In addition, - Pradal continued- we are proud of the fact that Alpi Group’s environmental commitment led to an invitation to join the PFBC (Partenariat pour les Forêts du Bassin du Congo), an international organization that brings together European, North American and Sub-Saharan African governments, environmental organizations, NGOs and research institutions involved with the environment and forest development in Africa. Moreover - Pradal concluded - we have just commenced a collaboration with the French agency ONF (Office National des Forêts) for the purpose of initiating an innovative scientific project that will involve cultivating ayous on 1,000 hectares of land.”