EUROPE'S

FORESTS

ARE GROWING.

WOOD IS AN IMPORTANT MATERIAL FOR PAPER WHICH HAS A SPECIAL PROPERTY: IT GROWS BACK:

Paper has extraordinary ecological characteristics: It is natural, biodegradable, recyclable and comes from a constantly renewable resource – wood. Since 1950, Europe's forests have grown by more than 30 percent, and every year an area as large as the state of Carinthia is added. Between 2005 and 2015 alone, Europe's forest areas grew by 44,160 km², according to a 2015 FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) report. And forest stocks are growing in Austria too: around 45 per cent to 1.135 million solid cubic metres since the 1960s.

Sustainable forestry

The European paper industry sources wood from sustainable, traceable and controlled sources. This means that at least as much wood grows back as is harvested. In addition, the cycle of rejuvenation, growth and harvesting is carefully controlled.

The forest is more than just a renewable resource however, because it absorbs CO₂ and in return produces vital oxygen. And, as a wood product, paper is able to store carbon throughout its lifetime. Paper is thus – at any stage in the creation of value – a sustainable product.