Share
Environment
Paper
Responsibly produced paper is Sanoma's most important raw material. Sanoma acknowledges its responsibility to the environment and promotes the responsible use of forest resources. The group has drawn up clear guidelines for paper purchases, which apply to all paper procurement and ensure that the paper has been produced responsibly.
Raw materials
In procurement of raw materials, the Group aims at exploiting synergies between strategic business units. The single most important raw materials for the Group is printing paper. Paper purchases form some 5% of the Group's annual total expenses.
| Sanoma's paper usage, tonnes * | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
| Newsprint | 83 500 | 87 000 | 97 800 | 103 000 | 99 000 |
| Magazine paper | 131 000 | 129 000 | 143 400 | 135 000 | 132 000 |
| Fine and book paper and board | 21 000 | 21 000 | 22 100 | 19 500 | 17 500 |
| Bookbinding board | 850 | 800 | 900 | 1 000 | 1 000 |
| Total | 236 350 | 237 800 | 264 200 | 258 500 | 249 500 |
* Includes both the paper used in the Group's own printing plants and the paper acquired for products printed elsewhere.
Sanoma's paper procurement principles
As a major paper procurer Sanoma requires that its suppliers procure wood responsibly and consider social questions. Sanoma favours suppliers with certified environmental systems, because these systems serve as proof of good business practices and constant improvement.
Basic guidelines for paper procurement
These guidelines ensure that the paper Sanoma procures has been produced responsibly.
The following aspects must be considered when procuring paper:
- the legality and origin of the raw material
- sustainable forestry (forest certification)
- environmental effects of paper production
- social responsibility
Legality and origin of raw material and sustainable forest economy
Sanoma gives priority to suppliers of certified paper. This means that the wood used as raw material originates from certified forests. Issued by an accredited, independent auditing body, forest certification verifies that the audited forest area is managed according to the principles of sustainable forestry.
In practice there are two internationally recognised systems for controlling the origin of wood: PEFC and FSC. Sanoma requires that its paper suppliers monitor and verify the origin of the wood they use as raw material. The paper manufacturer must be able to confirm and provide assurance that the raw wood material does not originate from illegal felling areas or felling areas that threaten or damage high protection value forests.
Environmental effects of paper production and social responsibility
Sanoma specifically favours suppliers with the ISO 14001 environmental system, because this system encourages companies to constantly improve their environmental performance. Approximately 93% of the plants supplying paper to Sanoma are ISO 14001 certified.
Sanoma uses recycled fibres in magazines and newspapers when possible due to product specifications. Paper can not be recycled endlessly; a certain proportion of virgin fibre is needed in addition to recycled fibre.
Sanoma requires compliance with human rights, labour laws, social standards, and related international agreements.
"Sanoma requires that its suppliers purchase wood responsibly and consider social questions."
