Working Forests & Fiber Stewardship

Overview

RYAM’s business is built on responsibly sourced wood fiber. While we do not own forestlands, we work across our value chain to support the long-term health, productivity, and resilience of working forests.

We collaborate with suppliers, landowners, forestry associations, certification bodies, and industry partners to promote responsible forestry practices and help ensure that the fiber we use is sourced in alignment with recognized environmental standards.

Why Working Forests Matter

Working forests provide more than renewable raw materials. When responsibly managed, they support a wide range of environmental, economic, and social benefits, including:

Biodiversity and wildlife habitat
Clean water and watershed protection
Carbon sequestration and climate resilience
Rural employment and economic development
Recreation and public use opportunities
Long-term forest productivity and ecosystem health

As a manufacturer that transforms renewable forest resources into cellulose-based products, RYAM depends upon healthy, productive forests and recognizes the important role working forests play in supporting both local communities and environmental stewardship.

Responsible Fiber Procurement

Responsible sourcing begins with responsible fiber procurement.

RYAM sources wood fiber through procurement practices designed to support sustainable forest management, fiber traceability, legal compliance, and long-term forest stewardship. Our responsible sourcing framework is supported by internationally recognized certification systems, supplier requirements, due diligence processes, and independent third-party verification.

Our program incorporates:

Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification programs
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC™) programs
Chain-of-custody verification
Supplier due diligence and verification procedures
Internal and third-party audits
Traceability and source verification controls

These systems help provide confidence that fiber entering RYAM’s supply chain is sourced from responsible and verified sources and is managed in accordance with recognized forestry standards.

Forest Stewardship & Biodiversity

Working forests support biodiversity, wildlife habitat, water resources, carbon storage, and long-term ecosystem resilience.

Because RYAM does not own or directly manage forestlands, our approach to biodiversity and nature stewardship is primarily implemented through responsible sourcing requirements, certification systems, supplier due diligence, and traceability controls.

RYAM maintains FSC Controlled Wood and PEFC due diligence programs that evaluate sourcing risks and establish controls designed to prevent sourcing from unacceptable or controversial sources. These programs address issues including:

Illegal harvesting
Protection of traditional and human rights
Conservation of High Conservation Value forests
Forest conversion risks
Genetically modified tree sources

Through these programs, RYAM evaluates sourcing risks, implements mitigation measures where necessary, conducts supplier audits, and maintains processes designed to support responsible forest stewardship throughout its supply chain.

Keeping Forests as Forests

Healthy markets for forest products help create economic incentives that encourage landowners to maintain forests rather than convert them to non-forest uses.

As part of our forestry certification and due diligence programs, RYAM supports initiatives that promote sustainable forest management, long-term forest retention, and responsible land stewardship. We participate in industry associations, landowner outreach initiatives, and educational programs that encourage responsible forest management and help communicate the environmental, social, and economic value of working forests.

By supporting strong markets for responsibly sourced fiber, RYAM helps reinforce the economic value of working forests and the benefits they provide to communities, wildlife, and future generations.

Traceability, Transparency & Responsible Sourcing

RYAM continues to enhance supply chain transparency through certification systems, supplier due diligence, sourcing controls, and traceability tools.

These systems support:

Source verification

Chain-of-custody compliance

Supplier oversight

Responsible sourcing verification

Regulatory compliance

Transparency throughout the fiber supply chain

Traceability and verification processes help strengthen confidence in the origin of fiber entering our manufacturing operations and support compliance with evolving customer and regulatory expectations, including requirements associated with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Sustainable Forestry Policy

RYAM’s Sustainable Forestry Policy establishes the principles that guide our approach to responsible fiber procurement, forest stewardship, certification, supplier engagement, and compliance.

Together with our certification programs, due diligence systems, supplier requirements, and traceability processes, the policy helps reinforce our commitment to sourcing fiber responsibly and supporting the long-term health and resilience of working forests.

Continuous Improvement

Forest certification standards, customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and scientific understanding continue to evolve.

RYAM works with suppliers, certification bodies, industry associations, and other stakeholders to strengthen forest stewardship practices, improve supply chain transparency, and enhance responsible sourcing programs over time.

Through continuous improvement, RYAM seeks to support healthy working forests, resilient supply chains, and sustainable solutions derived from renewable forest resources.