Forest products are a zero waste material with a complex supply chain. From the diverse eco-system of the forest downstream to sawmill or fibre processor, manufacturer, packaging converter to the distributor, merchant and end user.
The forest creates a huge variety of bespoke products that eventually enter the paper and packaging sectors, joinery and DIY trades or become components of engineered timber products, timber frame housing or commonly recognised planks, panel products, windows and doors, flooring, cladding, decking or furniture.
Valued by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) at over £8.5 billion, the forestry and timber products industry is placed 18th in the list of over 120 major industries in the UK. Each stage is geared to reducing environmental impact and providing valuable low carbon products for a new generation of energy efficient buildings and sustainable products.
The forest product supply chain contains a number of stakeholders that combine to maintain the unbroken link from the forest to the end user via the Chain of Custody process. Each step of the journey and each stakeholder must have Chain of Custody to prove that the fibre or wood product has been legally and responsibly sourced.
