Sappi Verve and biodiversity
Published On
1 May 2025
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Sappi’s dissolving wood pulp brand Verve, creates renewable alternatives for raw material feedstock to textiles, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs and more – products that meet the needs of people around the globe every day. For Sappi Verve, building strong relationships throughout the supply chain is essential. The closer we engage and collaborate with our stakeholders, the better we understand and respond to their evolving needs by offering relevant, sustainable, and practical solutions. Staying informed about industry trends is therefore crucial to anticipate changes and continuously deliver value that aligns with market demands and sustainability goals.
Eco-conscious brand owners and retailers act as vital change agents by shaping consumer demand, enforcing sustainable practices throughout supply chains, and educating shoppers. Their leadership accelerates the transition toward a more responsible, transparent, and circular fashion and textile ecosystem, holding significant power to transform the industry toward sustainability.
In this context, Sappi Verve’s commitment to a sustainable supply of woodfibre within the textile value chain is deeply influenced by growing awareness of biodiversity and sustainable forest management. Biodiversity underpins the textile chain by enabling sustainable raw material production, fostering innovation, and enhancing resilience against environmental challenges.
Simultaneously, conserving biodiversity is crucial for ensuring the long-term viability of the textile industry. Integrating biodiversity considerations into textile sourcing and production is therefore essential to building a more sustainable and ethical fashion system that balances environmental stewardship with economic and social value.
How does Sappi contribute to biodiversity protection and enhancement in its plantation forestry landscape?
Sappi’s plantation forestry in South Africa is instrumental in preserving natural and high-value forest ecosystems by providing a sustainable, alternative fibre source that reduces commercial pressure on natural forests. By cultivating trees on plantations specifically designed for fibre production, we help meet the commercial demand for wood products without resorting to harvesting old-growth or high-value biodiversity-rich forests. This approach allows us to source raw materials without contributing to deforestation or the degradation of ecosystems that are essential for climate regulation, biodiversity and water cycles. In turn, plantation forestry creates a sustainable fibre supply chain that aligns with global goals to curb deforestation and preserve critical natural habitats.
Moreover our plantations are designed and managed with sustainability at their core, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services in the landscapes where we operate. We integrate conservation areas within our plantation landscapes, setting aside significant portions of land for active protection. These areas often include indigenous forests, wetlands and grasslands that serve as habitats for local wildlife and support s variety of species, some of which are endangered or rare. By establishing conservation zones and safeguarding natural features within our plantations, we create diverse habitats and enhance ecological connectivity, promoting resilience across the broader landscape.
Sappi’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond conservation alone; we actively create ecological corridors to connect isolated habitats, which helps species migrate, adapt to environmental changes and maintain genetic diversity. These corridors allow for the natural movement of plants, animals and pollinators, which are critical for ecosystem balance. Furthermore our plantations are managed using best practices that minimise chemical inputs and promote soil health and water retention, contributing positively to the surrounding environment. As a result our plantation forests not only provide a responsible source of woodfibre but also reinforce our broader environmental objectives, supporting both biodiversity and the services forestry ecosystems provide communities and the planet.
In North America Sappi doesn’t own any forests, we are dependent on outside suppliers. Our foresters work closely with landowners to achieve their woodland objectives, whether it's conducting timber harvests that align with goals while maximizing returns, developing a forest management plan, enhancing wildlife management, recreation, and aesthetics and improving forest health and sustainability.
The forest certification systems that Sappi works with (FSC™, PEFC, SFI) all have requirements within their forest management standards, which focus on maintaining or enhancing biodiversity and managing or protecting high conservation and ecosystem values. Through the inclusion of these requirements in forest management practices, attention is placed on maintaining and conserving biodiversity while implementing other management objectives.
To conclude, in a rapidly evolving industry, sustainability and transparency are no longer optional—they are fundamental. At Sappi Verve, our active collaboration with supply chain partners and industry bodies ensures that we meet legislative requirements. By upholding the highest standards in our forest-based operations, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting the planet, supporting communities, and fostering prosperity. Each sustainable product we create carries a message: that change is possible, that thriving economies can coexist with thriving ecosystems. Together, we are building a thriving world by acting boldly and responsibly—because the future of fashion and textiles depends on the choices we make today.