Ahlstrom receives FSC(TM) and PEFC(TM) chain-of-custody certifications for its Turin release base paper plant in Italy
Release Sep 9, 2008, 11:20
Ahlstrom, a global leader in high performance fiber-based materials, today announced that its release base papers manufacturing plant of Turin, Italy, received certifications according to the chain-of-custody standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC(TM)) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC(TM)).
Chain-of-custody standards prescribe the adoption of accurate traceability procedures for the processing of certified pulp into certified paper products and strict standards for control and risk assessment of pulp suppliers. This is to ensure that their raw material did not originate from wood harvested illegally, in violation of traditional and civil rights, in forests where high conservation values are threatened by management activities, in forest being converted to plantations or where genetically modified trees are planted.
The recognitions are in line with Ahlstrom's policy to support credible certification systems and to source from pulp suppliers which are either certified or in the process of being certified. They will enable Ahlstrom to supply FSC(TM)-labeled and PEFC(TM)-labeled release base papers depending on the availability of certified pulps.
"We firmly believe that, when using carefully controlled raw materials, paper has excellent environmental credentials as a sustainable material, based on a fully renewable resource. As one of the world's leading suppliers of release base papers, we think chain-of-custody certifications have an important role in helping us and our customers deliver this guarantee through the value chain, to convertors, brand owners and consumers" says Fulvio Capussotti, Vice President, Release Papers.
With the Turin plant, the number of Ahlstrom units which achieved chain-of-custody certifications is now six and it will further grow according to the sustainable procurement policy of the group. The Turin plant is part of Ahlstrom's Release & Label Papers business area. The other Release & Label Papers units of La Gère, France and Jacareì, Brazil, will also undergo chain-of-custody certification audits in the coming quarters. All units already hold ISO 14001 and 9001 certificates.
For further information, please contact:
Marco Martinez, Marketing & Communications director, Release & Label Papers: +390119260271
Fulvio Capussotti, Vice President, Release Papers: +390119260111
Daniele Borlatto, Senior Vice President, Release & Label Papers: +390119260111
Distribution
Main media
www.ahlstrom.com
Ahlstrom in brief
Ahlstrom is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of high performance fiber-based materials. Nonwovens and specialty papers, made by Ahlstrom, are used in a large variety of everyday products, such as filters, wipes, flooring, labels, and tapes. Based upon its unique fiber expertise and innovative approach, the company has a strong market position in several business areas in which it operates. Ahlstrom's 6,500 employees serve customers via sales offices and production facilities in more than 20 countries on six continents. In 2007, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.8 billion. Ahlstrom's share is listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki. The company website is www.ahlstrom.com.