MEMPHIS, Tenn., -- Continuing its commitment to provide more certification options for its customers, International Paper today announced the expansion of its Forest Stewardship Council(R) (FSC(R)) Chain-of-Custody certification to include a majority of its U.S. pulp and paper mills and a number of converting facilities across its businesses. The increase establishes the company as having the largest FSC manufacturing platform across the globe.

"Having FSC Chain-of-Custody certification at a majority of our International Paper mills demonstrates our continuing commitment to sustainability and to helping our customers achieve their sustainability goals," said John Faraci, International Paper's chairman and chief executive officer. "This FSC certification is the latest commitment by our company to provide multiple certification opportunities for our customers, including the widely recognized Sustainable Forestry Initiative(R) (SFI(R)) program and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) systems."

Chain-of-Custody certification guarantees that wood coming from certified and responsibly managed forestlands is tracked throughout the supply chain, from the forest to the consumer. With its expansion, International Paper's FSC Chain-of-Custody certification worldwide includes: three Coated Paperboard mills and its six converting facilities; four Pulp operations; six Industrial Packaging mills; seven Printing Papers mills and its sheeting operations; and a number of manufacturing facilities associated with its Foodservice and Shorewood businesses.

"As customer demand for certified paper and packaging products have grown, International Paper has not only increased the availability of certified products -- we have also become the leader in Chain-of-Custody certification," said David Struhs, IP's vice president, Sustainability. "We are pleased to provide another critical link in the certified supply chain and look forward to the day when we gain access to sufficient FSC wood fiber to take advantage of our expanded certified manufacturing capacity."

By expanding its FSC Chain-of-Custody certification, which includes certification to the Controlled Wood standard, International Paper reinforces its commitment to meeting and exceeding the needs of its customers and providing a balance of environmental, social and economic needs. The company makes high-quality paper, pulp and packaging products from responsible sources, and achieving FSC Chain-of-Custody certification at most of its U.S. mills will significantly expand its commitment to developing options for customers.

Struhs added, "International Paper is committed to promoting responsible forestry whenever and wherever we can across the globe. Establishing the largest FSC manufacturing platform along with our credible and well established SFI and PEFC foundation demonstrates that our company is leading through action and not just words."