3A Composites Core Materials, committed to ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) principles and values, has introduced changes to the BALTEK® balsa wood cores portfolio that address valid concerns regarding assurance of wood origin and sustainability.
With this in mind, we announce publicly that from July 1st, 2024 onwards, we are only offering a range of balsa wood core materials with the SBC definition, where (C) stands for “controlled”. SBC has always been linked to plantations, mainly those belonging to 3A Composites Core Materials. Under the new definition, we expand it to controlled plantations from selected external sources besides our own.
3A Composites Core Materials will continue growing and expanding its FSC®-certified plantations for Forestry Management in Ecuador and Papua New Guinea and will work closer with small farmers and selected partners to continue guaranteeing availability of prime wood only, within our certification schemes. This also allows us to assure not only legal origin of wood but also “time to kiln (T2K)”. It is also stated that BALTEK® SBC does not contain wood coming from natural ecosystems or plantations that are not replanted. The company is also actively working in making its due diligence systems, validated through our Chain of Custody certifications, compatible with the EUDR norm, which will be enforced starting in 2025.
It is crucial for customers to become familiar with active legislation such as the Lacey Act in the United States, besides the EUDR in the European Union where liabilities are pointed out in case of importing or procuring illegally harvested timber.
The aforementioned date is a production cut-off batch. This means that deliveries might still show SB material until it is phased out completely. It is also hereby confirm that the changes in portfolio have no impact on performance or mechanical properties.
In case of any questions, please reach out to your point of contact within 3A Composites Core Materials.
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, North and South America, China, and Papua New Guinea. With more than 85 years of experience in sandwich technology, its broad portfolio of high-performing and sustainable core materials allows partners worldwide manufacturing more durable, sustainable, and energy-efficient end products.
For further information please contact:
3A Composites Core MaterialsAirex AG
Industrie Nord 26
5643 Sins, Switzerland
Phone +41 41 789 66 00
corematerials@3AComposites.com