Sustainable forest management has ever since been a key element in the wood production of 3A Composites Core Materials. As first supplier of balsa wood core materials from FSC®-certified plantations to the market, the company’s Ecuadorian forestry site passed the annual FSC® review in November 2020 and proudly looks upon a year of successful strengthening its global activities.
“We are not only pleased to continue supplying the market with our balsa products from sustainable resources but also that our sustainable forestry plan has ensured the availability of prime balsa wood to meet the growing demand of our customers even in this challenging year filled with supply chain concerns,” says Juan Matheus, Global Product Manager BALTEK® products. “Passing the annual review, it proves our commitment to the FSC®-requirements and that we just believe to do the right thing – not only for the environment but also for the communities we work in and for the standards of the industry.”
Its structural core material BALTEK® SBC comes from 100% controlled plantations as 3A Composites Core Materials owns and manages several thousand ha of FSC®-certified balsa plantations in Ecuador (FSC-C019065) and Papua New Guinea (FSC-C125018) allowing to be the only one in the market with full traceability of the wood from the seed to the finished good and ensuring the product’s quality from legal plantations. Providing a natural material that is biodegradable, 3A Composites Core Materials contributes to the carbon neutrality efforts of the industries they serve to ensure the circular economy.
The company even goes beyond the requirements. Its BALTEK® SBC is the first carbonneutral core material in the world capturing more GHG emissions than caused by the production and making therefore a clear positive impact on the climate.
3A Composites Core Materials’ sustainability plan at the forestry sites is in line with three areas of the United Nations SDGs and FSC® Certification Principles & Criteria and covers significant reduction of environmental pollution, the conservation of natural resources and the economic, social and ecological well-being of the communities in which the company operates. Its sustainable activities were proven recognized when awarded with the SACHA Acknowledgements for Responsible Forest Management and Responsible Wood Innovations Award and the United Nations Global Compact Award for Best Practices for Sustainable Development.
“Balsa is an amazing lightweight wood and native species of Ecuador. We leave the natural ecosystems by holding and managing own plantations and not touching primary forest,” says Eric Gauthier, CEO 3A Composites Core Materials. “Our divers global team is deeply committed and lives our values every day. I am confident that we will continue to make further progress in the coming years.”
About 3A Composites Core Materials
3A Composites Core Materials is a global organizational unit within the 3A Composites Group, a part of Schweiter Technologies (SIX Swiss Exchange: SWTQ), with operations in Europe, the Americas, China and Papua New Guinea.
Stronger, lighter, greener future
3A Composites Core Materials is a global leader with the broadest portfolio of highperforming and sustainable core materials with main focus on PET foam and balsa wood. We are the pioneers in sandwich technology with more than 75 years of experience.
Since the very beginning our focus has been developing strong and solid, yet lightweight core materials, which allow manufacturing more durable, sustainable and energy-efficient end products for our customers. Our products have also the purpose: to create a stronger, lighter and greener future.
We have innovation deeply planted in our core
Each of our products is a result of profound expertise and advanced thinking of our engineers, working in partnership with our customers and leading experts and research institutes. We shape the industry trends and keep our offer at the cutting edge of technology.
We want to make the industry greener
Our commitment to sustainability is deeply ingrained in all aspects of our business, from developing sustainable products to protecting the natural environment and cultural heritage of the communities we work in.
For further information please contact:
3A Composites Core Materials
Airex AG
Industrie Nord 26
5643 Sins, Switzerland
Phone 41 41 789 66 00
corematerials@3AComposites.com