"Founded in 1993, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is today a leading non-governmental organization for voluntary certification of sustainable forestry. FSC sets international standards for the trade of sustainable forest products and promotes environmentally sound, responsible and economically viable management of the world's forests.
Geminor has recently obtained FSC's "Chain of Custody" certification, which means that the company guarantees to follow FSC standards when sourcing and handling forest materials.
- We are pleased to finally be part of the internationally recognized FSC system. This certificate allows us to work with FSC-certified producers, and thus we can ensure our beneficiaries standard-approved wood products that we know have a sustainable origin. This certification really makes a difference when it comes to the promotion and use of sustainable biomass in the world," says Kjetil Vikingstad.
Being a certificate holder makes it possible to supply the biomass market with sustainable products such as timber, chips and bark from certified producers. The FSC certification also serves as a guideline for finding the right partners for Geminor.
- By approaching and investing in FSC certificate holders, we put our efforts into sustainable forestry - no matter which country we operate in. In this way, we also ensure fair and safe working conditions at the producer level, and prevent forced or child labor," says Kjetil Vikingstad.
Increased demand
There is a growing demand for biomass in the market, but also an increased focus on sustainable sourcing. In countries such as Sweden, off-takers are now requiring a guarantee that all wood is sourced sustainably. The FSC certificate represents this guarantee, Vikingstad explains.
– As an FSC certificate holder, Geminor takes on the responsibility of ensuring the traceability of FSC-claimed wood from sustainably managed forests to off-takers looking for a greener solution. This is a step in the right direction for Geminor as we look to imbue sustainability within our business model.
The Geminor organization is well adapted to handle and trade a new biomass fraction, says Vikingstad.
– Our international organization has extensive experience in treating waste wood and biomaterials, and our existing logistical solutions for waste fractions also work well for the new bio fraction. With an established portfolio of off-takers that handle both bio fractions and waste, we are ready to engage in the international sustainable biomass market, concludes CEO at Geminor, Kjetil Vikingstad.
