Plantation Development

We believe that the solution to deforestation is active re-planting and management. Leaving the forests alone is not a viable option at the pace with which illegal loggers are attacking these resources.

APRIL and our partners replant the fiber estates with Acacia, our chosen tropical pulpwood species that can reach maturity at six years (compared to 40 years or longer for pulpwood trees in temperate climates). In 2005 we maintained our annual record planting average of over 50,000 hectares with 56,941 hectares reforested by our partners and us.

As of end 2005, we have developed 264,032 hectares of Acacia fiber plantations, of which 149,217 hectares are on our own concessions. Supported by a yearly nursery production of almost 100 million seedlings, we are on track to sufficiently provide 9 million cubic meters of plantation fiber to generate 2 million tones of pulp per year by 2009 on a sustainable basis.

APRIL's fiber operations are founded on the company's Environmental, Social, Health and Safety policy and are further defined by the Code of Best Practice. Environmental management is integrated in all aspects of the operations - from planting to transportation - following an ISO 14001-certified Environmental Management System.

While Acacia remains the primary species in the fiber plantations, research on secondary species continues in order to develop new fiber resource and increase diversity.

Planting is done as soon as land has been prepared or fiber harvested. Harvesting is done by low-impact extraction methods that minimize soil disturbance. Fresh residues left after harvesting are spread evenly to provide nutrients to the soil.

APRIL has had a "No Burn" practice since 1994 and encourages local people to adopt the Integrated Farming System, which will provide them with a sustainable living rather than adopting the slash-and-burn approach.