ScanCom and Klabin: A Sustainable Partnership Spanning Over Two Decades

In an industry where supply-chain change is constant, long-lasting partnerships built on shared values are rare. Yet, ScanCom and Klabin have maintained a thriving collaboration for more than 22 years, setting new standards for responsible material sourcing in the global furniture industry.

A Shared Vision for Sustainability

Klabin, Brazil's largest producer and exporter of packaging paper, stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability, using primarily eucalyptus and pine wood. The company offers a unique mix of short-fibre, long-fibre, and fluff pulp solutions and leads the way in the corrugated cardboard and industrial bag markets. What sets Klabin apart is its unwavering commitment to sustainability—demonstrated through its leadership in responsible forest management and certifications like the FSCTM (Forest Stewardship Council), which it first obtained in 1998. In fact, Klabin was one of the first companies in the southern hemisphere’s pulp and paper sector to receive this certification.

On the other hand, ScanCom, a global leader in outdoor furniture, shares this ethos of environmental responsibility. Guided by a desire to produce sustainable furniture, we sought out a partner that could provide a reliable, environmentally responsible supply of wood. It was this alignment of ESG policies that led ScanCom to Telêmaco Borba, Brazil, and Klabin.

Our partnership through the years

The partnership between ScanCom and Klabin began in June 2002, following several months of discussions and the formalization of an agreement to conduct a feasibility study, which confirmed the mutual benefits of our collaboration. What initially drew us to Klabin was their pioneering role in responsible forest management and their innovative approach to using eucalyptus for multiple purposes beyond traditional paper and pulp production.

Over the years, several key milestones have marked our collaboration, with Klabin having delivered more than 3 million tons of eucalyptus logs to ScanCom over the last two decades. 

Klabin’s Sustainable Practices

Klabin’s forest management system has become a global benchmark, particularly its mosaic planting system, which integrates native and planted forests. Nearly 42% of Klabin’s 751 thousand hectares of forest area is preserved native forest, contributing to biodiversity conservation through ecological corridors that allow wildlife to thrive. The remaining area consists of eucalyptus and pine plantations, which are responsibly managed to meet the growing demand for renewable materials while reducing the environmental impact.

Klabin’s expertise in managing eucalyptus forests also plays a vital role in carbon sequestration. Research by Embrapa Cerrados, in partnership with the University of Brasília, shows that eucalyptus plantations can store significant amounts of carbon—up to 183.99 tons per hectare—both in biomass and soil, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. This, not only contributes to global carbon reduction efforts but also supports ScanCom's own carbon footprint reduction goals.

Impact on ScanCom’s Sustainable Product Line

For ScanCom, Klabin’s eucalyptus supply has been invaluable in achieving our environmental targets. ScanCom uses this responsibly sourced wood in our wood furniture. 

Eucalyptus not only adds to the aesthetic appeal and resilience of ScanCom’s furniture but also offers environmental benefits. For example, eucalyptus wood retains approximately 50% of the carbon it sequesters throughout its life cycle. This aligns perfectly with ScanCom’s broader vision of contributing to a circular economy, where renewable resources are maximized, and waste is minimized.

A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values

At the heart of this enduring partnership is a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability. Both companies are at the forefront in their respective fields, pushing the boundaries of innovation while contributing to global efforts like FSCTM certification, protecting biodiversity, and reducing carbon footprints.

The ScanCom and Klabin partnership has not only pioneered how responsible materials are sourced for the furniture industry but also set a gold standard for long-term collaborations based on shared values. As we continue to push boundaries in the next 20 years, our work offers a blueprint for others in the industry to follow.

As costumer and consumers, it’s worth considering the role of responsible sourcing in the products we choose and how these practices can drive positive change in industries worldwide.

 “The partnership of over two decades between Klabin and ScanCom is the result of the deep synergy between the companies, driven by a shared commitment to environmental, social, and governance practices. From the beginning, this shared identity—particularly in sustainable forest management and ensuring certifications such as FSC—has been the foundation of the positive results achieved. Klabin's forest mosaic system, which combines productive areas with environmental preservation, is a clear example of how to responsibly integrate production and conservation. This alignment of values, along with mutual respect and a long-term vision, has been crucial for strengthening and continuing this strategic cooperation.” - Director of Forestry Operations at Klabin