Africa

Danzer Group’s goal is to manage its forests well and sustainably to secure a long-term supply of high-quality wood. In Africa this means eventually certification to FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).

Danzer Group’s African subsidiaries IFO (Republic of Congo) and SIFORCO (Democratic Republic of Congo) manage a combined total forest area of 7.9 million acres (3.2 million hectares) as concessions.

The tropical forests in West- and Central Africa are valuable renewable resources. Development of a sustainable forest and wood economy is an economic and social incentive for the population to maintain the forest cover. It has to be determined which forest areas are available on a long-term basis for forestry and which, due to their uniqueness, have to be preserved as protected areas and national parks.

Legality

Independent legality verification confirms that IFO’s and SIFORCO’s forest management and wood procurement is compliant with the law. (Both certificates can be downloaded in the column on the right).
This requires the adherence to the forest and manufacturing regulations, to workers’ rights and the rights of the local population. It is also verified (a) that IFO and SIFORCO have paid taxes, made social contributions such as schools and hospitals and (b) that required licenses and permits have been properly obtained and managed. In addition, a chain of custody verification ensures the origin of the timber. 

Selective Logging

IFO and SIFORCO practice selective logging, no clear cutting. Selective means we take one tree out of an area the size of a soccer field (an average 0.12 m³ (0.16 cubic yards) of timber per hectare per year). In terms of volume per forest area, this represents one-eighth of the volume per area harvested in the temperate forests of North America and Europe. Regeneration takes place naturally. It occurs fast in the dynamic tropical rain forests.

Forest Management Plan

A Forest management plan provides the basis for the sustainable use of forests as well as the efficient utilization of wood. It also takes into account the rights and needs of the local population.
IFO has Africa’s largest single concession with an approved forest management plan. The plan is based on extensive ecological and socio-economic studies. It determines the annual allowable cut and encompasses protection measures for plants, wildlife and human settlements. Due to an extensive inventory, the volume and species to be harvested during the next 30 years and beyond have been identified. To reduce the impact of harvesting, all trees to be harvested are poitionned on detailled maps by aid of GPS coordinates. (More information can be downloaded in the column on the right).

WWF & FSC

The forest management plan is the foundation for FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification. Danzer Group is working to achieve FSC certification by cooperating with the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature). IFO is in full preparation of an FSC audit, scheduled in 2008. SIFORCO is under preparation and kick-off as soon as the conversion process in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) is finished.

Combating Poverty

Responsible forest management means also contributing to the sustainable development of the region and countries we operate, in particular combating poverty. Danzer Group has made significant investments in Africa by setting up local wood-processing plants. It has skilled a workforce and has generated tax and export revenues. Also, Danzer Group has built schools, roads and small hospitals at its operations.