Production receives groundbreaking seal that certifies the Company’s sustainable forest management and highlights the social and environmental value of preserved native forests



São Paulo, September 29, 2025 – For the first time in the Americas, honey has been officially recognized as a non-timber forest product (NTFP) under the certification criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This achievement marks a significant milestone in the sustainable management of forest areas within the Atlantic Forest and is the result of a collaborative effort involving Klabin, Brazil’s largest producer and exporter of packaging paper and sustainable solutions in paper packaging, the Institute or Forest and Agricultural Management and Certification (Imaflora), FSC Brazil, and honey producers from the Serra Catarinense region.

Certification became feasible following the recent update of FSC standards, which now include products such as honey within the scope of responsible management. Recognizing this change, Klabin — who has practiced mosaic planting since the 1950s, alternating pine and eucalyptus plantations with large stretches of preserved native forests — identified an opportunity to create shared value with local producers.

In Santa Catarina, the Company has forestry operations across various municipalities, many of which have a longstanding tradition of beekeeping. Authorized producers leverage the region’s rich floral diversity and the absence of agricultural chemicals to produce high-quality, distinctive honey. “This certification acknowledges the exceptional quality of the region's honey and highlights the positive impact that sustainably managed forests have on surrounding communities. It serves as a concrete example of how multiple uses of the forest can generate value and new opportunities. It also demonstrates how a company can be a catalyst for local productive arrangements to promote sustainable development,” explained Julio Nogueira, Sustainability and Environment manager at Klabin.

"Recognizing honey as a certifiable product marks significant progress in sustainable forestry value chains. The certification not only enhances transparency regarding product origin, but also encourages responsible management practices, expands market access, and adds value to forest stewardship. It is one valuable tool to promote the conservation of forests and provide an economic destination associated with the responsible use of natural resources," said Ricardo Cardoso, Forest Certification manager at Imaflora.

"With this first FSC forest management certification for honey, we celebrate an important step toward greater recognition of the value of non-timber products and a more comprehensive view of living forests. We recognize that they are much more than wood: they are sources of food, energy, biodiversity and livelihood for millions of people. This is yet another proof that conservation and development go hand in hand when we value everything the forest offers us, including, and especially, the communities that depend on it for their lives and livelihoods,” said Elson Fernandes de Lima, executive director of FSC Brazil.

The recognition of honey management practices within Klabin's areas marks only the initial stage of this journey. The next phase involves preparing the Serra Catarinense Beekeepers Association, currently made up of 26 producers, to achieve chain of custody certification. This second phase will enable the honey to be labeled with the FSC seal, underscoring the product’s quality and unlocking new market opportunities.

In addition to providing areas for beekeepers to install their hives, Klabin supported the legal structuring of the Association, facilitated communication with FSC and Imaflora, and assisted in completing the documents required for the audit. “The certification not only adds value to honey as a product, but also acknowledges the entire social and environmental context of its origin, strengthening the supply chain for both the market and consumers,” added Nogueira.

#Sustainability #Fauna #Certification