Finlands forest industry is boasting record-breaking production and has upped its investment in environmental protection.


Production in 2000 soared by 5% and output in all product groups reached new records, said the Finnish Forest Industries Federation (FFIF).


Director Pertti Laine said: "The open nature of Finnish firms, corporate responsibility and market pressure from customers have helped cut emissions despite growth in output."


Some 13.5m tonnes were produced in 2000 13.3m metres3 of sawn wood, and 1.2m metres3 of plywood.


However, more firms were demanding chain-of-custody certificates to verify origins of wood, and there were reductions in discharge of nutrients and chlorines into waters, said the FFIFs Finnish Forest Industry Facts and Figures 2001, and the Environmental Report, Statistics for 2000.


The industry spent nearly 55m on environment protection at pulp and paper mills. This accounted for a tenth of all domestic investments by the industry, slightly more than last year.


By-products from the industry could be used to generate energy, said Laine, who called for a tighter definition of waste to ensure its better use.


Contact 020 7639 1253 for a report. The FFIFs website is www.forestindustries.fi.


Story by Jez Abbott