Forestry

Meeting the demand for timber

As one of the largest forest owners in Finland, we are able to flexibly react to any changes in the demand for timber. We own roughly 137,000 hectares of well-managed forest, most of which is located in Southern and Central Finland.

Our forestry business is based on long-term agreements with highly reliable partners. Forestry is our main source of income.

We produce timber in a sustainable and efficient fashion. Cost-efficiency and high profitability for forestry is achieved through swift regeneration, by selecting the right tree types for each location and with perfectly timed, efficient forest management actions and cuts. Metsä Group is our key partner in forest management.

Finsilva’s inputs in forest management are 2–3 times more than national averages per forest area unit.

Principles of Finsilva’s forest management

Finsilva’s forest management practices are based on its own forest management model, the Metsä Group Plus forest management model, FSC^® and PEFC standards, and legislation.

Finsilva’s forest management model combines profitable wood production with the preservation of forest biodiversity and the environment. The aim is sustainable and efficient wood production. A study conducted by the Natural Resources Institute Finland demonstrates how sustainability and profitability are combined in our operations over a 50-year time horizon.

Certified wood raw material

Finsilva’s forests are certified under FSC^® and PEFC standards. The certifications indicate that our operations are regularly monitored and audited. From a business perspective, certifications provide direct economic benefits as demand for certified wood increases in the market.

The forest certification requirements, in particular those of FSC, create a clear requirement level for Finsilva’s nature management. In sustainable forest management, natural values and wood production are in balance – the biodiversity of forest nature and the cultural and recreational values of forests are preserved while practising productive, responsible and socially sustainable forestry. Forest certification promotes the market access of wood and wood products.

FSC is an abbreviation of the words Forest Stewardship Council. FSC is the world’s most trusted responsibility certificate for forestry products. The FSC certificate guarantees that forests are utilised with respect for the environment and human rights. For more information, please visit fsc.org.

PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) is an international forest certification system that promotes ecologically, socially and economically sustainable forestry. For more information, please visit pefc.fi/english.

We develop more diverse forestry for the future

As a major forest owner, we feel it is our duty to play our part in taking our industry into the future. Promoting forest biodiversity, adding to the versatile uses of forests, developing climate and carbon offsets, and forest-related research and development are examples of important developments in which we are involved.

Through our own research and development, we increase knowledge and expertise related to sustainable forestry and improve our own conditions for success.

We are currently creating new business, for example by contributing to the development of compensation and nature value markets, and by exploring and developing the commercial potential of hunting, recreation and water areas.

According to Finsilva’s forest management strategy and forest management forecasts, carbon sinks in both growing stock and forest land will strengthen and carbon stocks will increase over the next 50 years. Being responsible is a value in itself, but by developing the industry we also want to create business from these contributions.

Want to know more?

If you have any questions about the development and future of forestry, please contact our CEO Juha Hakkarainen (juha.hakkarainen[a]finsilva.fi). For matters related to timber and forest use, you can send an email to info[a]finsilva.fi.