International Tree Day: Responsible forest management as a pillar of a more innovative industry

Forests play a vital role in combating climate change, conserving biodiversity and maintaining the balance of global ecosystems. Although global deforestation has fallen significantly — reaching 10.9 million hectares per year between 2015 and 2025 (38 per cent less than the average between 1990 and 2000) — pressure on forest resources remains one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time.

To mark International Tree Day, we wish to highlight the crucial role of responsible forest management: a commitment that not only guarantees the preservation of our forests, but also allows us to continue enjoying a resource as valuable and versatile as timber.

Timber: a renewable, emotional and strategic resource

Among the materials used in architecture, interior design and furniture, timber occupies a unique position. It is a renewable, biodegradable resource capable of acting as a carbon sink throughout its entire lifespan. When timber is transformed into a decorative surface, a door or a piece of furniture, the CO₂ that the tree absorbed whilst growing is retained within the product for decades, helping to reduce the environmental impact of buildings and interior spaces.

Beyond its excellent technical and environmental properties, wood connects with people in a unique way. Its presence in any room brings a sense of warmth, comfort and irreplaceable authenticity. Furthermore, various studies confirm that living in environments with natural elements fosters a greater sense of well-being, creating more welcoming, sustainable and healthy spaces.

“Every year, the world’s forests absorb the equivalent of a third of the CO₂ emissions generated by human activity. Protecting them is not only an environmental obligation; it is also a prerequisite for the sustainable development of industries such as furniture, interior design and decorative surfaces.”

— Pía León, ESG Manager at Grupo ALVIC

Our commitment to a responsible value chain

Sustainability is an integral part of our operational identity. In 2009, our plant in Alcaudete (Jaén) became the group’s first facility to have its processes certified under the PEFC standard, marking the start of a journey towards responsible management that now encompasses all our operations.

We are currently implementing specific measures throughout our value chain:

• Certification and traceability: We work exclusively with FSC- and PEFC-certified suppliers, carrying out regular traceability checks and ensuring compliance with strict environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria through our Code of Conduct.
• Support for the local economy: 77 per cent of our suppliers are local, which substantially reduces transport-related emissions whilst strengthening the local industrial base.
• Circular economy and recycling: More than 76 per cent of the materials used in the manufacture of our chipboard panels come from recycled raw materials. Furthermore, the wood waste generated during the process is repurposed as biomass for industrial self-consumption.
• Cleaner indoor air (E0.5 standard): We are ahead of the curve in complying with the new European E0.5 standard, reducing the permitted limit for formaldehyde emissions by 50 per cent compared with the traditional standard. This measure directly contributes to improving indoor air quality and safeguarding people’s health.

5 key ways for the industrial sector to protect our forests

We believe that forest conservation requires the active collaboration of all stakeholders in the value chain. We therefore highlight five essential courses of action that any company in the sector can adopt to make a positive impact:

1. Sustainable sourcing: Ensuring that raw materials come from responsibly managed forests through international certification schemes such as FSC or PEFC.
2. Use of recycled materials: Incorporate recovered and recycled components to reduce pressure on virgin resources.
3. Circular economy models: Maximise the use of resources at every stage of the product lifecycle to reduce non-recyclable waste to zero.
4. Measurement and transparency: Calculate, verify and communicate the carbon footprint of corporate activities as a tool for continuous improvement.
5. Sustainability culture: Fostering an active environmental awareness amongst internal teams, involving every department in the design of more efficient processes.

“Forests are a strategic resource for our sector and their conservation depends on the decisions we make today. Committing to traceability, certification and the circular economy not only protects the environment, but also strengthens the industry’s competitiveness and resilience in the long term.”

— Pía León, ESG Manager at Grupo ALVIC

Would you like to find out more about our sustainability and innovation initiatives in flooring? Visit our Sustainability section or explore our latest collections, designed with respect for the environment.