Jakarta, Indonesia – (February 4, 2016) – On the 3rd anniversary of the company’s Forest Conservation Policy (FCP), Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP) announces the acceleration of their Peatland Best Practice Management Project (PBPMP).
The FCP, launched in February 2013, is APP’s commitment to immediately end deforestation in its supply chain and bring sustainability to the forefront of the company’s operations. Policy commitments include the ending of natural forest conversion throughout its supply chain, best practice in peatland management, and adopting a collaborative approach to resolving social issues.
Specifically, work to block over 3,500 perimeter canals to increase water levels in APP suppliers’ concessions located on peatland has recently been completed, with a total target of 7,000 dams to be built by the end of the first quarter of 2016. This is in addition to the retirement of 7,000 hectares of commercial plantation areas in Riau and South Sumatra, announced by APP in August 2015. In total, APP and its suppliers have allocated approximately 600,000 hectares for forest conservation and ecosystem restoration within its suppliers' concessions. Peatland areas are particularly vulnerable to forest fires and these initiatives to manage and protect them are a critical part of APP’s new Integrated Fire Management (IFM) strategy. The move supports efforts to significantly lower the risk of wildfires in the region.
Progress Summary:
- More than 3,500 canals blocked as Peatland Best Practice Management Project accelerated
- Agroforestry programme rolled out to improve community welfare while supporting protection of natural forests in the supply chain
- Belantara Foundation, initiated by APP, ready to manage and fund conservation projects in Indonesia
- Fire prevention measures strengthened with implementation of new Integrated Fire Management Strategy
Read the entire release on asiapulppaper.com to learn more about the steps APP has taken in petland management: https://www.asiapulppaper.com/news-media/press-releases/asia-pulp-and-paper-forest-conservation-policy-report-reveals-accelerated-progress-peatland-management
About APP-Indonesia
Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP) is a trade name for a group of pulp and paper manufacturing companies. APP is responsible for delivering quality products to meet the growing global demand for tissue, packaging and paper. On any given day, our products find their way into the hands of consumers in various branded forms all over the world.
Started in 1972 with Tjiwi Kimia producing caustic soda, now we run nine mills located in Java and Sumatra islands with an annual combined pulp, paper, packaging product and converting capacity of over 9 million tons. Today, APP markets its products in more than 120 countries across six continents.
Over the years, we have expanded our operations significantly through the acquisition and expansion of several of our pulp and paper mills. It’s our commitment to customer satisfaction that enables us to grow our share in paper sales worldwide and broaden our presence through offices in many countries. We believe ‘tradition and modernity go hand in hand’ which means we value long term relationships as part of our Eastern traditions, while we also are eager to embrace the modern values of innovation and efficiency.
Maintaining the integrity of our supply chain is also crucial to APP’s operations. APP launched its Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2020 in June 2012 and its Forest Conservation Policy in February 2013, to further improve its environmental performance, biodiversity conservation, and protection of community rights. Key objectives of this roadmap are to ensure that its pulpwood suppliers adopt High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) protection, peatland protection, and be 100% Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) certified by 2020.
In April 2014, APP launched its commitment to support the protection and restoration of one million hectares of forest in Indonesia. In line with that commitment, by 2015 APP and its suppliers have allocated approximately 600,000 hectares for conservation within its suppliers’ concessions and for ecosystem restoration.
About Solaris Paper
Solaris Paper®, Inc. (SPI) is a U.S. based manufacturer of premium quality towel and tissue products for the North American Away-From-Home commercial marketplace. SPI’s products are made from virgin Rapidly Renewable Fiber, which produces a whiter, brighter, softer and greener product. SPI is dedicated to a sustainable business model. Our commitment applies to the full scope of our operations, starting with our primary strategic supply partner Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) through end-of product life scenarios. Solaris Paper’s family of products currently includes Nvi® Advanced Dispensing Systems, Nvi® LoCor®, Livi® VPG and Livi® Basic Towel and Tissue. To learn more about Solaris Paper, please visit SolarisPaper.com.