Brussels, Belgium, –– International Paper, the world’s largest paper and packaging company, has announced that its PRO-DESIGN® range, International Paper’s flagship colour laser paper from its Saillat Mill, has attained Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) accreditation across the entire range.

The announcement provides a further environmental credential and endorsement of the product’s high sustainability standards and follows the introduction of an FSC® certified 350gsm heavy weight paper to its PRO-DESIGN® range in August last year.

The FSC® accreditation covers the PRO-DESIGN® grade’s full range of A4, A3, SRA3 & Xeikon Reels paper grades.

The PRO-DESIGN® range already carries the EU-Ecolabel which certifies its high environmental performance.

PRO-DESIGN® is produced at International Paper’s Saillat mill in France, which is one of the world’s best performing sites in terms of CO2 emissions. Since 1990, Saillat has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 78%. 

The Saillat mill uses thinning from certified forests or those that are in the process of becoming certified, with its main forestry supplies located within just 150km of the mill, reducing any transport related environmental impacts such as CO2 emissions.

Saillat also recovers by-products from the furniture and framing industries which represents 27% of its wood supply. In terms of energy efficiencies and performance, some 88% of Saillat's energy requirements are met by the on-site production of green energy (biomass).

Commenting on the attainment of FSC® accreditation for the entire PRO-DESIGN® range, Mike Robertson, International Paper’s Country Manager UK stated, “We are delighted to be able to announce this certification, which addresses our customers’ requirement for FSC® certified papers and adds to our product’s high environmental credentials.”

PRO-DESIGN® is International Paper’s colour laser range for professional laser printing, used by graphic reproduction houses, digital printers and copy centres. Its significant features include improved high whiteness 168 CIE quality. This provides sharper contrasts for excellent reproduction, whilst other features include better sheet formation, smooth surface, optimal stiffness for jam-free runnability and ISO 9706 providing an anti-ageing guarantee.

The PRO-DESIGN® range is available in the UK through its national merchant distributors, The Paper Company (PaperCo) and Premier Paper and Coral8. Customers within the Republic of Ireland can also obtain the range through merchant Realt Paper, Premier Paper Ireland, Glenvalley Paper and Swiftbrook Paper.

For more information and samples of PRO-DESIGN®, please contact Mike Robertson, International Paper’s UK & Ireland Country Manager at [email protected]