West Fraser Champions Responsible Specification During FSC Forest Week
Sustainable timber products help architects, housebuilders and contractors meet performance and environmental goals
"The construction industry has a significant opportunity to drive positive environmental outcomes through its purchasing decisions. By specifying responsibly sourced timber products, the sector can help support sustainable forest management while delivering high-performing buildings for future generations."
West Fraser is supporting FSC Forest Week (21-27 September) by encouraging architects, housebuilders, specifiers, and construction professionals to make responsible timber sourcing a priority throughout the built environment supply chain.
As demand grows for lower-carbon construction materials and greater transparency around material provenance, West Fraser UK is highlighting the important role that Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification plays in assuring customers that timber products originate from responsibly managed forests and controlled sources. FSC Forest Week provides an opportunity for the construction sector to recognise how responsible forest management helps protect biodiversity, supports local communities and workers, and contributes to the long-term availability of a renewable building resource.
Increasingly, timber-based panel products are being specified across housing, commercial, education and infrastructure projects as developers seek practical ways to reduce embodied carbon while maintaining performance, quality and efficiency on site.
West Fraser manufactures a range of engineered wood panel products used throughout the construction sector including timber frame, hoardings, flooring, roofing, and structural applications. The company is committed to sourcing wood fibre responsibly and offers FSC-certified products to support customers' sustainability objectives and project requirements.
David Connacher, Marketing Manager at West Fraser UK, explains, "FSC Forest Week is an important reminder that sustainable construction begins with responsible material choices. As architects, developers and contractors increasingly look to timber-based solutions to help reduce environmental impact, confidence in the source of those materials is more important than ever. FSC certification provides a recognised chain of custody from forest to finished product, helping construction professionals demonstrate responsible procurement while supporting well-managed forests around the world."
The importance of responsible sourcing continues to grow as environmental reporting requirements, sustainability frameworks and client expectations become increasingly stringent. For specifiers and procurement teams, certification can provide assurance that timber products contribute to broader environmental, social and governance objectives. In the housing sector, where speed, quality and sustainability are all key considerations, responsibly sourced timber panels offer a practical solution for modern methods of construction, offsite manufacturing, and energy-efficient building envelopes. For architects and designers, FSC-certified products support sustainability targets without compromising design flexibility, performance, or durability, making them suitable for a wide range of residential and commercial applications.
West Fraser UK is encouraging construction professionals to use FSC Forest Week as an opportunity to review their material supply chains and consider the role that certified timber products can play in delivering more sustainable buildings. "The construction industry has a significant opportunity to drive positive environmental outcomes through its purchasing decisions," added David. "By specifying responsibly sourced timber products, the sector can help support sustainable forest management while delivering high-performing buildings for future generations."
For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit Uk.westfraser.com