PNG Forest Products
Updated: Feb 6
A Model of Sustainability and Innovation
CELEBRATING 70 years of manufacturing
excellence in Papua New Guinea, PNG Forest Products (PNGFP) continues to set the benchmark for sustainable practices in the production of Engineered Wood Products. Drawing on renewable resources and innovative technologies, the company has built a legacy of environmental stewardship while contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
PNGFP sources its timber exclusively from renewable pine plantations managed by the PNG Forest Authority, adhering to practices that prioritize resource efficiency. According to Peter Robinson, Manager of Strategy and Development, the company employs cutting-edge methods to ensure every part of the log is utilized.
“Traditionally, plywood manufacturers discard log cores of approximately 110mm after peeling veneers, ”Robinson explains.“ At PNGFP, we reprocess those cores into veneers as thin as broomsticks using a spindleless lathe. Additionally, we join smaller, partial sheets of veneer to create full sheets, maximizing recovery rates.”
The company takes resource efficiency a step further by repurposing all wood waste. Chipped wood fuels a biomass boiler that generates steam for veneer drying, plywood hot presses, and kilns. Residual sawdust is used in PNGFP’s poultry operations, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
PNGFP’s commitment to sustainability is reinforced through its partnership with the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) to uphold best environmental practices. PNGFP stands alone in Papua New Guinea as the only company to achieve PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) Chain of Custody accreditation, a globally recognized standard for sustainable forest management.
“Our Chain of Custody certification is unique in PNG,” says Robinson. “This accreditation, along with DEC’s annual inspections, highlights our dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainable forest management.”
PNGFP’s sustainability extends beyond its timber operations. The company’s manufacturing
facilities in Bulolo are powered entirely by hydroelectric energy, further reducing its environmental impact.
With continued investment in renewable energy, PNGFP recently commissioned its fourth hydroelectric power station, the 11.6MW Baime facility, which contributes to PNG Power Limited’s Ramu grid. PNGFP’s hydro capacity now supports up to 22MW, cementing its role
as a leader in renewable energy.
“Our carbon footprint is incredibly low,” Robinson emphasizes. “We use hydroelectric power for electricity and biomass heat for drying and pressing. In comparison, many plywood manufacturers in Australia rely on coal-fired power stations and gas for their operations.
Our combination of renewable timber resources, hydro power, and biomass heat makes PNGFP’s engineered wood products truly sustainable and uniquely green.”As PNG Forest Products celebrates its 70 year milestone, it remains a shining example of how innovation and environmental responsibility can coexist.
Through its dedication to sustainable manufacturing, PNGFP continues to pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future in Papua New Guinea and beyond.
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