The decision was announced during FSC Friday, the international annual event of which Sofidel is main sponsor in Italy, that aims to raise awareness among businesses and consumers regarding responsible forest management.

The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is an independent global, non profit-making organisation dedicated to the promotion of responsible forest and plantation management worldwide, which was set up in 1993. Its chain of custody certification is among the most widespread across the world.

The Italian day took place today at the Natura Viva Park in Bussolengo (Verona), a major centre for the protection and preservation of biodiversity, putting forward multiple activities and initiatives to develop and raise awareness among citizens regarding responsible forest management.

For the occasion, Sofidel distributed communication materials concerning its own commitment to protecting environmental resources and the promotion of sustainable development.

The Group has always seen sustainability as strategic growth leverage, embracing the philosophy that “Less is more”, aimed at manufacturing products with a limited carbon print yet with higher performance levels.

In addition to procuring its raw materials from certified and controlled sources, 99.97% of its total requirements in 2015, Sofidel's environmental sustainability policies focus on limiting climate-changing gas emissions into the atmosphere (-17.8% of direct CO₂ emissions per ton of paper produced between 2009 and 2015) thanks to investments in energy efficiency, the use of cogeneration plants and to the use of renewable energy sources.

“For us, the decision to obtain FSC chain of custody certification - the most widespread and appreciated certification in the industry - is a step taken in keeping with the growing focus on fully sustainable products that is increasingly widespread in society,” explained Riccardo Balducci, Corporate Environmental Manager of Sofidel Group. “Responsible raw material procurement policies are part of a wider commitment to environmental sustainability that Sofidel has also concretely demonstrated by joining the WWF Climate Savers programme for the voluntary reduction of CO₂ emissions and water resource protection policies.”