Forestry in Southern Africa
Anchoring rural development and driving the circular economy
Sappi Forests owns and leases 405,000 hectares (ha) of land, of which 263,000 ha is planted and 142,000 ha is unplanted natural areas set aside and maintained to conserve the natural habitat and biodiversity found there, following best practice principles. All our land is FSC™ (FSC™ N003159) and PEFC (PEFC/01-44-43) certified ensuring adherence to the highest environmental standards.
Sappi Forests, directly and indirectly, employs over 9,500 people through its own and contractor personnel. Sappi Forests prides itself on sustainable forestry practices, playing a vital role as an anchor tenant in the rural landscapes of South Africa. By driving the circular economy and supporting rural development, Sappi Forests secures low-cost wood to maintain competitive margins for its manufacturing operations while actively conserving biodiversity and creating shared value for neighbouring communities.
Sappi Forests’ commitment to the forestry value chain is evident in our highly successful and inclusive Enterprise Supplier Development Programme, Sappi Khulisa. This programme benefits more than 4,000 timber suppliers directly. In addition, we make use of the services of hundreds of other contractors and suppliers, including medium, small, and micro enterprises, who provide us with essential services such as harvesting, transport and logistics, firefighting, silviculture, maintenance, and security.
Our innovation helps keep our supply sustainable
Trees, like all crops, are susceptible to pests and diseases. With increased global trade, South Africa has seen a rise in non-native insect pests, while climate models predict a 3ºC to 7ºC increase in mean annual temperatures, further escalating risks by enhancing pest reproduction, survival, and spread. In response, we focus on breeding trees that are tolerant to pests and diseases, as well as resilient to frost and drought. Our research teams specialise in areas such as stress detection, climate change predictions, site classification and optimisation, risk mapping, and biological control measures. Sappi Forests, a leader in research and development, actively mitigates these challenges through improved site-species matching, the use of enhanced genetic planting stock, and the introduction of specific hybrids developed through conventional breeding programs.
There are four commercial nurseries which are collectively able to provide 62 million saplings per year, for own use and external supply. Our breeding programmes ensure that we maintain a broad genetic base for breeding purposes. We implement a robust process to test and evaluate tree performance based on growth, wood properties and pest and disease resistance before commercialisation of any new varieties. We closely match wood fibre with mill requirements. Carefully matching growing sites and species or hybrids planted, ensures optimal conditions for tree growth.
Why certification matters
Certification plays a crucial role in empowering consumers to make informed decisions by choosing responsibly sourced wood-based products. It provides the reassurance that the woodfibre used in these products has been harvested legally, following sound environmental practices, while also respecting essential social aspects, such as the rights of indigenous communities. All our land is certified by FSC™ (FSC™ N003159) and PEFC (PEFC/01-44-43), ensuring we uphold the highest standards of environmental responsibility.
The certification process itself involves three key components, each meticulously reviewed on an annual basis. The first component, Forest Management, ensures that forests are both responsibly managed and responsibly harvested. This creates a foundation of sustainability and environmental stewardship. Next is the Chain of Custody (CoC) certification, which tracks the journey of woodfibre from its origin in the forest to its final form as a finished product. Manufacturers who procure certified woodfibre and make certification claims for their forest-based products are required to obtain and maintain CoC certifications. Lastly, Fibre Sourcing guarantees that no controversial or uncertified sources are mixed with the certified woodfibre, preserving the integrity of the supply chain.
Together, these certification processes uphold the highest standards of legality, environmental care, and social responsibility, fostering trust and accountability in the forestry industry.
Committed to Zero Deforestation
All of Sappi’s woodfibre is sourced exclusively from sustainably managed plantations. We ensure zero deforestation by avoiding tropical natural forests and maintaining full transparency in our supply chain. Our suppliers adhere to global forest certification standards, which mandate prompt replanting after harvest, safeguarding the sustainability of our fibre supply.
Helping our community grow with us
In South Africa, our Sappi Khulisa Enterprise Supplier Development programme empowers small-scale forestry growers by integrating them into our supply chain and fostering sustainable livelihoods. Since its inception in 1983, the Sappi Khulisa tree-farming scheme has been an inspiring example of positive social impact and shared value. This initiative not only strengthens the security of our woodfibre supply chain but also uplifts rural communities by equipping them to become sustainable participants in the forestry value chain.
Our objective is to provide consistent and clear guidelines and assistance to Sappi’s contracted growers, to ensure the sustainable development and protection of our forests for future generations. Sappi’s ‘Tree Farming Guidelines for Private Growers’ cover topics such as species selection and planting through to harvesting and extraction and provide much-needed information on fundamental issues such as safety and proper planning and scheduling processes.
If you wish to become a private grower, the guidelines are split into five parts below
Part 1 - Forest management
Part 2 - Silviculture Part
Part 3 - Forest engineering
Part 4 - Innovations in forestry
Part 5 - Annexures
Sappi Sphere
Spatial services that enable smart decisions in our quest for a circular economy
Sappi Research, Planning and Nurseries
Our mission at Sappi Southern Africa’s department of Research, Planning and Nurseries is to enable the cost effective and sustainable supply of suitable forest resources to the business.