Timber and panel products distributor, James Latham, has taken delivery of the first container loads of FSC certified TRP (tropical replacement panel) plywood from Weyerhaeuser, marking the latest sustainable milestone for the international forest products company in Europe.
Offering a cost effective and sustainable alternative to tropical and temperate hardwood plywood, TRP is manufactured from eucalyptus trees that have been grown and harvested in a socially and environmentally responsible manner on plantations in Uruguay. The recent FSC certification of this plywood confirms the product range’s sustainable credentials and means all TRP supplied to Europe will now be fully FSC certified – with James Latham being the first to benefit.
Chris Sutton, director, James Latham, comments: “We were the first UK stockist to offer Weyerhaeuser’s TRP plywood, adding it to our portfolio based on very strong sustainability credentials and a guaranteed long term supply. We’re extremely pleased to continue the development of the strong relationship we have with Weyerhaeuser and be the first to stock FSC certified TRP, with all indications that there will be a very strong demand for the product as we move forward.”
The rich pink/red colour of TRP plywood is similar in aspect to many of the popular tropical species such as meranti and okoume. Beyond aesthetics, TRP delivers stability and physical properties that match traditional tropical hardwood plywood, confirmed by its CE2+ structural and exterior certification.
John Guerin, European commercial director, Weyerhaeuser, concludes: “As a company, Weyerhaeuser is committed to driving forward innovations in environmental good practice and invests heavily in developing sustainable operations and products.
“TRP from our South American base in Uruguay is a key product in a wider company strategy to develop markets in Europe for high quality sustainable and certified timber products – manufactured from plantation sources. Delivery of the first FSC certified TRP to James Latham is a key milestone in demonstrating that we are succeeding in our aim.”