Certifications

RYAM's products begin as trees...

…so our operations are inextricably linked to nature. We simultaneously support and depend upon working forests, which create wildlife habitat, enhance water quality, and provide places for people to enjoy the outdoors. For every tree that is harvested, three are planted. That ensures forests grow strong and plentiful for future generations.

RYAM follows internationally recognized forestry standards across our operations, including Forest Stewardship Council^® (FSC^®) standards and Best Management Practices (FSC – C128948). Additionally, we obtain wood for our plants from responsibly managed sources and partner with our wood suppliers to promote responsible forest management. The Company conforms to the FSC^® Chain of Custody Requirements for Sourcing FSC^® Controlled Wood and to the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC/29-31-349) Chain of Custody. Our Fernandina facility also achieved International Sustainability & Carbon Certification in 2021—ISCC Plus—another key sustainability certification.

Sustainable Resource Procurement

United States

We prioritize sustainable procurement to support our plants, which require over 4 million tons of wood chips annually. This creates a market for more than 1 million acres of working forests, most of which are privately owned. Through our commitment to the Forest Stewardship Council^® (FSC^®) chain of custody certification, we diligently track the origin of procured chips and logs by region. We work closely with our suppliers to ensure their activities align with best management practices, promoting responsible forest management and protecting our natural resources.

Our Fernandina Beach, Florida facility sets an exemplary standard by achieving the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC Plus) for utilizing a waste fiber stream, offsetting additional roundwood consumption. Our timber partners in the United States commonly participate in the American Tree Farm System^® program and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative^®, which protect and preserve our working forests for future generations. We support these important programs, standards, and practices because sustainable sourcing and good environmental stewardship are essential to the health of our planet and the future of our world.

Canada

In Canada, most of our raw materials come from forestlands owned by provincial governments, which are sustainably managed according to Forest Stewardship Council^® (FSC^®) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) standards. Rigorous forest management plans and allowable cut guidelines are followed in the process of harvesting trees from both provincial and private lands. Regular audits ensure compliance with these standards.

At our Témiscaming plant, we have implemented an innovative approach to responsible fiber procurement. We fulfill all the wood fiber needs for our HPC business by utilizing residual chips, a byproduct of the lumber milling process. These residual chips are sourced through purchase and sale contracts with regional lumber facilities, allowing us to reduce waste and promote a more circular economy.

France

In southwestern France, our sourcing activities focus on predominantly private lands in a region with a longstanding tradition of cultivation and sustainable forest management. France has been at the forefront of establishing voluntary forest management standards. Landowners in the region often collaborate through management cooperatives established by the state, which adhere to the PEFC France forestry standards. By adhering to these standards and partnering with local organizations and landowners, we ensure that our raw materials sourced in France contributes to sustainable forest management and supports the preservation of the region’s unique environmental heritage.

Few companies are as invested in working forests as RYAM, so we work hard to conserve, maintain, and enhance the forests we all depend on. That’s why all of our manufacturing plants are Forest Stewardship Council^® (FSC^® Certified and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest (PEFC) Certified. This certification reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmentally-responsible practices.