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Textiles & Non-Timber Forest Products
Forests have always produced more than the quintessential forest products such as furniture, construction materials, pulp and paper. However, technological advancements are expanding the potential for surprising and innovative forest products to replace less sustainable alternatives. FSC certification adds an additional guarantee that the forests where these products are sourced are managed responsibly.
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Fashion & textiles
Forest-based fabrics, such as rayon, viscose, modal or lyocell, are increasing being used by the fashion industry. This is good news, as they can be more environmentally friendly than synthetic textiles or cotton, if the cellulose fibres come from well-managed forests.
Though tree-based fibres constitute less than seven per cent of the global fibre market, demand for them is forecasted to grow by more than nine per cent between 2016 and 2024. This trend has the potential to benefit responsibly-managed productive forests, but could also lead to the destruction or damage of old-growth forests.
According to Canopy, cellulose fibre production consumes approximately 120 million trees per year, and the organization has found that ancient and endangered forests in Brazil, Indonesia and North America have been damaged by logging for the cellulose fibre industry.
Since 2015, FSC has been working to develop complete certified textile supply chains that would enable textile manufacturers to sell clothing and other products with the FSC-certified label. > read more
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Rubber
Natural rubber comes from the sap of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), native to the Amazon Basin. Unlike synthetic rubber, which is a petroleum product, natural rubber is a renewable resource. Though it has traditionally been harvested from rubber trees scattered through the rainforests of South America, most natural rubber now comes from plantations in other regions, primarily South and Southeast Asia.
As international demand for natural rubber increases, millions of rubber trees are being planted across the tropics. While grown primarily for their latex, those trees also produce high quality wood. There is a growing market for rubberwood – used for everything from furniture and construction, to biomass – which adds value to plantations.
FSC certification covers both products. As with wood, paper and other FSC-certified products, manufacturers and consumers who purchase FSC-certified latex or natural rubber can do so with the knowledge that it was produced in forests or plantations with safe working conditions and good community relations, without deforestation or other environmental damage.
Collaborate
Is your business interested in the benefits FSC can provide?
When it comes to forest-based products, FSC certification is the sustainable choice you can trust to deliver better outcomes for forests, people and markets – today and for future generations.
FSC certification can help companies meet legislative requirements while improving market access, increasing revenue and showcasing your sustainability policies.
FSC is the certification of choice for thousands of businesses worldwide. Why should you join us?
FSC is endorsed by big brands in businesses and by NGOs;
FSC is the global gold standard in forest certification; and
We provide an inclusive platform to engage stakeholders.