3A Composites Core Materials passes annual FSC review 

3A Composites Core Materials’ (Sins, Switzerland) high-quality standards for sustainable forestry and production of balsa wood at its Ecuador (FSC-C019065) and Papua New Guinea (FSC-C125018) sites again earned the company FSC audit approval in late summer 2021. The certification confirms 3A’s commitment to sustainability, particularly in regard to its Baltek SBC core products, which are produced from 100% controlled, owned and managed plantations and is a proven, carbon-neutral core material, sequestering more greenhouse gases (GHG) than those emitted during its production.

“Baltek SBC is a balsa wood core material produced in a fully integrated manner, starting with our own seeds in nurseries, carefully selected through our bio-enhanced plant breeding program and grown on our FSC-certified plantations,” says Juan Matheus, global product manager Baltek products. “Harvested after four to five years and kiln-dried in an industrial, carefully monitored process, the final density sorting allows the creation of a homogeneous, high-performing product from an inhomogeneous material without affecting primary forest.”

The audit is more than a single proof of production processes, records and documentation, the company notes. It also values efforts such as the preservation of the ecosystem, and not touching primary forest or the sustainable income for local communities the company works with. It is also said that the biomass given off by 3A Composites Core Materials’ plantations offsets all of the footprints involved in manufacturing its core materials.

3A Composites Core Materials’ business model considers several thousand hectares of FSC-certified balsa plantations. Moreover, its fully committed teams in Ecuador and Papua New Guinea have 80 years of experience delivering consistent and high-quality core material supply for some of the most demanding engineering applications (see “3A Composites Core Materials commits to sustainable growth, harvesting and processing of balsa wood”).

“We believe that a responsible and sustainable future requires constant innovation, efficient waste management, sustainability mindset and collaboration with customers and partners,” says Eric Gauthier, CEO 3A Composites Core Materials. “Therefore, our sustainability strategy is confirmed to be key part of our business and we will continue to report regularly back on our achievements.”