SHANGHAI – An independent audit claims to have found that globally leading Chinese viscose business, Sateri, has been sourcing pulp and raw materials from regions known for controversial industrial logging operations which potentially have impacts on climate and endangered species’ habitat. Sateri is one of the first global viscose fibre producers to complete the CanopyStyle Audit. The audit documented the purchases of pulp from 13 suppliers of dissolving wood pulp, out of a list of 17 which are listed in the audit report and on Sateri’s website.
According to Canopy, the auditors confirmed the termination of fibre use from two “controversial” sources. Sateri now purchases a majority of its dissolving pulp from two suppliers that are sourcing from plantations in Brazil, Indonesia and Malaysia.
The key findings of Sateri’s audit are said to confirm the presence of pulp with raw material from Indonesia and Malaysia, it is claimed are known for controversial industrial logging operations which have impacts on endangered species habitat.
The report also says the risk level of the remaining volume of pulp, cannot, at present, “be determined as low risk of coming from ancient and endangered forests and/or controversial sources, due to a current lack of information about the forest of origin of the material from the dissolving pulp suppliers.”
Readers can make of that what they will.
“We are encouraged that Sateri promptly terminated two controversial sources and is working to bring further transparency on the forest of origin of their other suppliers,” said Nicole Rycroft, Canopy’s executive director. “Deforestation and forest degradation are key in driving climate change, species decline and undermining of frontline community rights. We look forward to engaging with Sateri to improve their sustainability performance and sourcing impacts, especially in landscapes such as Indonesian and Malaysian tropical forests.”
“The Rainforest Alliance is proud to participate in this important initiative that furthers our mission to conserve biodiversity and help ensure sustainable livelihoods,” stated Richard Donovan, Rainforest Alliance senior forests advisor. “Our role includes serving as the trusted auditor, helping drive the sustainable use of non-timber forest elements in fashion and independently evaluating Sateri’s progress. We conduct site evaluations, analyse and report on the progress required, and deliver audit results that are a snapshot in time, highlighting commitments met and areas for improvements.”
“From day one, Sateri has been open to receiving external stakeholders, including third-party auditors, at our facilities,” said Sharon Chong, vice president, sustainability at Sateri. “It is in this same spirit of transparency and accountability that we welcome the CanopyStyle Audit assessment as an opportunity to review our pulp sourcing practices. We have learnt much from this audit exercise, and made good progress on areas that needed improvement. We will continue to pro-actively engage with our pulp suppliers to ensure compliance with our sustainability policy.”