Solaris Paper Welcomes Asia Pulp & Paper's Latest SVLK Certification

Australian tissue and paper suppliers, Solaris Paper and Paper Force, have welcomed the latest announcement by their affiliate, Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), of a 4th SVLK certification. It has been awarded to APP’s PT Indah Kiat Pulp and Paper Mill in Serang, Java.

The announcement recognises the desires of local consumers and retailers for higher standards of wood legality, with SVLK certification being globally recognised for its rigorous legality and traceability standards.

Steve Nicholson, CEO of Solaris Paper, welcomed the announcement by its affiliate.

“Strong wood legality and traceability processes are at the heart of any timber sustainability program, and APP should be congratulated for putting these principles at the heart of its business.

“The SVLK scheme is recognised the world over for offering an extremely high standard for ensuring wood legality, and by embracing this new standard APP is showing local suppliers its continued commitment to sustainable sourcing practices.”

The certification was granted by Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry, Zulkifli Hasan, last week at a ceremony in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. The event was attended by Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Trade, Bayu Krisnamurthi, Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Industry, Alex Retraubun, timber based industry players and government officials in Indonesia.

SVLK is the Indonesian Wood Legality Verification System. The system creates a rigorous chain of custody process designed to ensure the mills only receive and process timber from legal sources and that all products exported from the country are traceable to verifiable points of origin.

Aida Greenbury, APP’s Managing Director for Sustainability, said:

"The 4th SVLK certification for APP, which is awarded to Indah Kiat Serang today indicates that APP stays committed to lead the industry in Indonesia and to support our Government to implement the toughest standards in the world for legality."

The SVLK certification comes at the same time as another award for Indah Kiat Serang Mill – the ‘Social Business Innovation Award 2012 from Warta Ekonomi, one of Indonesia’s leading economic magazines. Indah Kiat was recognised for its innovative recycling initiative. The mill has given local people in Serang the chance to earn a living by creating products from waste paper material.

"Through Indah Kiat Serang, we at APP are looking for better ways to produce more sustainable and socially responsible products for the Australian market - by promoting recycled paper products and providing employment in the local area to improve our social and environmental footprints,” added Ms Greenbury.