Who we are
Our South African plantations offer a key cost advantage, driven by tree growth rates and supply chain efficiency. By applying new technologies, we enhance sustainability and competitiveness. Our focus is on diversifying our fibre resource through the rapid development of varietal alternatives, shortening the time to commercialisation, rapid and effective deployment, and demonstrable measurement and monitoring for innovative process optimisation, particularly in response to environmental change. Based at the Shaw Research Centre in KwaZulu-Natal, with satellite stations in Zululand and Mpumalanga, we integrate research programmes, a commercial Seed Centre, forest planning, and four nurseries, ensuring high-quality plant delivery to our forest operations.
Tree breeding
Currently Sappi’s Tree Breeding is conducted in two separate programmes, the Eucalypt Pure Species and Pine breeding programme, and the Eucalypt Hybrid Breeding programme. Research and development of genetically improved planting stock has been conducted at Sappi’s Shaw Research Centre in Howick for over 40 years. Tree improvement is aimed at increasing pulp yield produced per hectare by testing various species and hybrids across Sappi’s diverse landholdings. As well as growth improvements, trees are bred for superior wood properties and resistance to biotic and abiotic threats including frost, drought, with a special focus on pests and disease tolerance. A broad genetic base, acquired over 40 years and a skilled breeding team exploiting new technologies are some of the assets of the programmes.
The Wood Properties team (Fibre Centre) quantifies wood traits for breeding, develops technologies, and provides cross-sector services. They collect wood samples using both destructive methods (tree cutting and disc sampling) and non-destructive methods (core sampling, resistance measurements). Samples are analysed for chemical, physical, or pulping properties, including moisture content, density, and pulp yield at the Sappi Shaw or Technology Centres. They also use near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to examine wood traits and refine NIR models, ensuring advanced and accurate analysis methods remain effective.
Tree biotechnology
Our aim is to develop genomic tools to enhance conventional breeding methods, utilising molecular breeding to identify links between tree DNA and desirable traits. This accelerates breeding cycles, boosts genetic gain, and supports sustainability amidst climate change. We also focus on propagation protocols for pine, eucalypt, and Corymbia hybrids to provide varieties for testing, while providing protocols for rare indigenous species to enable plant supply back into local communities. Tissue culture techniques are used to propagate promising genotypes efficiently for the commercial nurseries, with ongoing research optimising these protocols to accelerate the delivery of genetic gain and advance the deployment of elite material into our plantations.
Seed & nursery technologies
Sappi’s plantations utilise genetically enhanced seedlings and cuttings, with tree seeds playing a vital role in expanding plantation resources. Seed orchards produce improved seeds for Eucalyptus, Pinus, and Corymbia species, maintaining genetic diversity. Breeding programmes select trees with desired traits like growth, disease resistance, and fibre quality, propagating them in intensively managed orchards. These orchards yield open-pollinated and hybrid seeds, harvested through various appropriate techniques. Processes such as seed testing, blending, and storage ensure seed quality for local and international sale. Research focuses on increasing genetic gain and optimising nursery efficiencies. Support for nurseries includes exploring innovative methods for resource-efficient, cost-effective plant production. Another key focus area is the research and development of alternative sources of fibre for mass production and potential supply to the mills. It also includes the evaluation of various perennial species and crops as alternative revenue streams.
Land management
Sustaining and increasing future timber supply requires the development of best practices by research conducted in-house or with partners at the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) and the University of Stellenbosch. This includes optimal deployment of genetically improved material (measured as fibre gain), site-genotype matching, fertilisation, planting density prescriptions, planting and coppicing practice and weeding prescriptions. Remote sensing and GIS analysis is used to assist with the identification and management of biotic and abiotic risks, including climate change. A long-term soil monitoring network is currently being established in partnership with ICFR to assess physical and chemical changes in the soil, including soil carbon levels.
Precision Forestry
Precision Forestry, which forms part of the Land Management Programme, develops and implements business intelligence and digital operational tools to facilitate optimised forestry operations. As a team with a deep knowledge and interest in data, technology and forestry, we are continuously researching, evaluating, developing and implementing enabling technologies such as LiDAR, remote sensing, operational optimisation and data analytics within the Sappi forestry supply chain. The objective of the work is tightly aligned with the objectives of the Research, Planning and Nurseries Division, seeking a yield increase in our plantations and cost benefits in the growing and delivery of our timber with a focus on sustainability. This integration results in Precision Forestry providing a multi-disciplinary function, working collectively with the different operational and research teams throughout Sappi, driving these objectives collectively.
Planning
Due to the time required to produce mature timber, from eight years for eucalypts and up to 20 years for pines, long-term planning is essential to Sappi Forests.
The Planning section is the custodian of the company’s plantation growing stock and planning systems, and its central role is to document, monitor and model the resource to ensure that a continuous and sustainable supply of timber is available as required by different markets. Planning also maintains associated information and systems like planting permits, water licenses, and information for non-plantation areas.
Growing stock data are used to determine the value of forestry assets. Accurate information about growing stock is obtained from a systematic sampling of stands and growth models used to model stand development over time. Sappi has recently started using LiDAR data to supplement conventional sampling. Adjustments to growing stock are made for damage caused by pests, diseases, and climatic extremes. Sophisticated software is then used to produce annual operational, tactical and strategic supply plans. The Planning section works closely with the Research team, incorporating their species recommendations in the three-year planting plan given to operational staff.
Pest and disease management
There is a global increase in the incidence and impact of insect pests and diseases on tree growth. This programme strives to manage and reduce the impact of pest and disease threats in Sappi plantations through an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy, which includes breeding trees for resistance, using sound silvicultural practices and implementing biological, behavioural and chemical control strategies. Sappi has been at the forefront of the development and implementation of biological control activities, such as those against the cossid moth and Sirex noctilio in South Africa, focusing on the use of environmentally friendly practices. Activities to support pest and disease management include field extension visits to plantations, training of forestry and contracting staff in pest and disease recognition, pest and disease diagnostics, screening for resistant material, monitoring, surveillance and implementing research trials to develop effective management strategies. Collaborative research with partners at the Tree Protection Cooperative Programme (TPCP) at the University of Pretoria, Nelson Mandela University and the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) are critical for developing and implementing these strategies. The use of remote sensing and other technologies in the early detection and surveillance of pests and diseases are being pursued in collaboration with other Sappi research programmes.
Business Analytics
Sappi Forests’ Business Analytics team uses data analytics to enhance forestry processes and sustainability. They identify improvement opportunities, supported by thorough data analysis, scenario evaluations, and simulations. Their focus includes refining supply chain data measurement, applying advanced analytics, and transforming insights into actionable strategies by collaborating with stakeholders. Efforts aim to improve business integration, automate decision-making, and scale solutions across forestry units. Following a ‘business-backwards’ approach, the focus is on the practical needs of the business before determining the necessary data and models required to operationalise these cases. This ensures that data and improvements are not only relevant but also actionable, directly supporting the strategic objectives of Sappi Forests.
Applied operations research
As a team with knowledge and experience across multiple forestry disciplines including silviculture, harvesting, transport and fire protection, we operate across the full value chain from the initial planting of our trees through to maturity and the final supply to our markets. Using enabling technologies such as network analysis, LiDAR and remote sensing we work on research projects to evaluate new opportunities to improve our supply chain performance in a structured manner. The work entails classic applied operations research aspects namely; data analysis, optimisation methods, yield and demand management and tools providing models for planning and scheduling improvements. The primary objective of our work is to assist operations to evaluate and, where relevant, implement value chain changes that improve yield, productivity and performance in a cost-effective manner across the full supply chain.
Please feel free to contact us at [email protected]
Seed Centre
The Sappi Seed Centre near Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, is based at the Sappi Shaw Research Centre, where genetically improved planting stock has been researched and developed for the past 40 years for the establishment and reforestation of commercial plantations.
Seeds are harvested from orchards of genetically superior trees that have been carefully screened and selected for desired traits by Sappi’s hardwood and softwood breeding programmes. Sappi landholdings cover a diverse range of sites, and hundreds of seed orchards have been developed that represent a wide variety of pine and eucalypt species. These orchards are intensively managed to encourage consistent production of abundant, high-quality seed.
Seed is produced either by open or controlled pollination if a hybrid seed or seed of known parentage is required. Our seed is collected from the orchards by certified tree climbers or cherry pickers (mobile elevated work platforms). Seed is processed, cleaned, and germination tested according to international standards before sale and delivery to customers.
The primary objective of the Sappi Seed Centre is to fulfil Sappi's seed requirements, but we also sell high-quality, genetically improved pine and eucalypt seed to external consumers, locally and internationally. Download our 2025 Sappi Forests - Seed price list, or contact [email protected] for additional information and seed sale enquiries.
Seed sales are subject to availability, and prices depend on improvement levels. All seeds are sold on a ‘per viable seed’ basis rather than by weight.
Fibre Centre
The Sappi Fibre Centre supports research and operations with wood sampling projects and assists with project planning and organisation. Wood properties research is mainly focused on wood fibre properties.
The team comprises trained and certified operators for high-quality wood sampling and measurements. All operations are carried out in compliance with safety regulations and best operating practices.At the Sappi Fibre Centre, we offer a comprehensive range of wood sampling services, both destructive and non-destructive. These include tree felling, wood coring, swaft sampling, wood chipping, chip screening, basic wood density measurements, grinding samples for chemical analysis and scanning, predicted wood chemical traits using Near InfraRed (NIR) analysis, and assistance with NIR model development for prediction and classification. The Wood Properties Team's primary objective is to support the Sappi R&D Team, the mills and Technology Centre and external clients.
Download our 2024/2025 Sappi Fibre Centre price list, or contact [email protected] for additional information and enquiries.
Nurseries
Supplying Sappi and Grower Schemes with their annual planting requirement from the best available genetic sources is the task of four commercial nurseries based at Clan and Richmond in KwaZulu-Natal and Ngodwana and Escarpment in Mpumalanga. Together, these nurseries supply more than 60 million seedlings and rooted cuttings of pine and eucalypt species and are constantly improving efficiencies and using the latest innovations in nursery practice and management.