Why is forestry innovation key to power our planet?

22.04.2025. Nature and forests – we are those who strive to give them value, ensuring that they continue to inspire and thrive in the future we envision.  

Have you ever been to the Congo Basin? 220 million hectares of natural tropical forests supply us with the things we need to run our planet: oxygen, rain and climate regulation, with carbon safely stocked in trees (and wood). 

Forests Call for Innovation – INTERHOLCO’s Commitment to Sustainable Progress

20.02.2025. INTERHOLCO’s 2024 Sustainability Report highlights our drive for responsible forestry in innovation and transparency. As a leader inFSC® et PAFC™ - certified, high-quality hardwood ‘Made in Africa’, we prioritize economic growth as the enabling condition for safeguarding nature and communities.

Grown to last, designed to inspire

14.02.2025. Remember the last time you fell in love? The endless possibilities, the deep connection, the sense of somethingjust right? That’s exactly the feeling our wood brings to your spaces.

Power on ⚡ Purchase with Purpose

14.01.2025. Imagine crafting your spaces—whether it’s a home, an office, or a public project—using wood that carries the legacy of one of the most extraordinary forests on Earth. Our PEFC-certified products are more than materials; they’re stories of resilience, respect, and renewal.

Tali takes centre stage on tantalizing terrace

05.10.2024. Looking for the ideal match for heavy construction, decking, floors and anything which is exposed to the outdoors? Tali doesn’t just fit the bill – it actually exceeds it. Naturally durable and resistant to fungi and insects (use Class 4), strong and very heavy (around 900 kg/m3), Tali sports an enviable fair tone, but is no fair-weather friend.

Breakthrough study finds 2.7 times more gorillas in FSC-certified forests including Interholco’s (2/2)

27.09.2024. Meticulously documenting individual animal counts and strategically positioning camera traps, PhD researcher Joeri Zwerts found that FSC-certified concessions have a significantly higher population of large and threatened mammals - 2.7 times more mammals over 100 kg, such as gorillas and forest elephants, and 2.5 times more mammals weighing 30-100 kg, such as leopards and chimps - than non-FSC-certified forest concessions.

Breakthrough study finds 2.7 times more animals in FSC-certified forests including Interholco’s (1/2)

24.09.2024. FSC-certified forests host 2.7 times more gorillas and elephants than non-certified ones. No, it is not wishful thinking, but the outcome of four years of study in the natural tropical forests of Gabon and the Republic of Congo, including in Interholco’s Ngombé forest concession. Comparing animal presence with the aid of harmless camera traps, Joeri Zwerts, PhD researcher at the University of Utrecht, made a discovery that earned him the cover of Nature magazine.

Who cares wins: Interholco leads ESG transparency rating for timber and pulp companies

28.08.2024.  The future we want has wood at its core and forests stand at the centre. Our no. 1 ranking in the only ESG transparency assessment for tropical timber and pulp companies is tell-tale: https://www.spott.org/timber-pulp/ Because we care, ‘Sustainable’ rhymes with ‘Accountable’. Follow us through!

Sale of shares between shareholders

16.08.2024. After having held ownership of Interholco for more than 60 years, Danzer has now sold its last part of its shareholding to existing co-shareholder FORSET GROUP AG.

Racing together: 5 things our wood shares with the Olympics

29.07.2024. On 26 July, France welcomed the world’s most iconic athletic competition, exactly 100 years after they were first disputed in Paris. Founded in Greece eight centuries before the current era, the games have evolved over time to express the values of ‘effort’, ‘excellence’, ‘respect’, ‘human dignity’, ‘harmony’ and ‘friendship’. Here are 5 things our certified wood products have in common with the world’s most famous sports games.

Forest lovers place their bet on INTERHOLCO’s wood products

14.06.2024. Just like you, we love forests.You care about protecting their wild and majestic environment. We love their unparalleled strength. Let's show our commitment together in the most beautiful way: by protecting the gorilla forests with our ‘Made in Africa’ products – sustainably natural.

How INTERHOLCO defies climate change with double forest certification

02.05.2024.This year, INTERHOLCO celebrated Earth Day (22 April) choosing the planet over plastics – with PAFC certification. PAFC stands for ‘Pan African Forest Certification’ and is the brainchild of Congo Basin countries, such as Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo.

Harmony of grain and versatility of use

08.03.2024. Cabinet makers, dream big with our responsibly sourced boules Made in Africa! Utilising all of a board makes sense for economic use? Then, take a good look at our amazing, flat boards: grain and colour guaranteed to match, for project consistency!

Ecological construction: more efficiency, comfort and health for all with our wood products

07.02.2024. The Environmental and Health Declaration Sheets (EHDS) for our wood products are now available! Design a more sustainable, low-carbon building that has a limited impact on the environment, giving future occupants the gift of a healthy environment.

Interholco calls for building tomorrow with sustainable wood at Macao Forum

01.12.2023. Wood is a crucially important material for ensuring a sustainable future. This is the opinion of 700 key players in the global timber industry, including representatives of governments, companies, international organisations and research bodies, who gathered at the Global Legal and Sustainable Timber Forum (GLSTF) in Macao SAR, China, on 21–22 November 2023.

Interholco drives ESG transparency

16.08.2023. Climate and biodiversity are closely intertwined. Climate change is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss, while ecosystem destruction contrasts nature’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, precipitating climate change. Just as supply chains must become deforestation-free by 2025 if the Paris Agreement climate goals are to be met, ZSL’s SPOTT (Sustainability Policy Transparency Toolkit) found that there is much the private sector can do. 

An alternative for low carbon construction

16.06.2023.Determined to push the limits of wood further, IHC is proud to offer high value-added wood products, certified CTB-LCA and KOMO and, made entirely in Africa.

Biodiversity in the Congo Basin awards Interholco

22.04.2023. According toWWF’s Living Planet Report 2022, wildlife populations have plunged an average 69% over the past 48 years. Just as tropical regions are facing a devastating drop, ‘IFO management actions allow the maintenance of populations of priority species Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Forest Elephant and the ecological integrity of the forest.’

Fingerjointed timber Made in Africa, joining high quality with KOMO certification

03.04.2023. Interholco is proud to announce that, since September 2022, its engineered wood product line is KOMO^Ⓡcertified, K-33417 for finger-jointed wood products and K-33418 for three-ply laminated scantlings, respectively. Engineered wood is known to be particularly stable and has increasingly attracted attention even for structural applications. Interholco is no beginner as it holds more than 10 years of experience in fingerjointed wood production.

Wood you be my friend? Celebrating International Day of Forests 2023 with Kosipo and Tali

21.03.2023. Rest is an important time to recharge one’s batteries and have a healthy approach to daily work. Sitting by the pool, facing the river Sangha, an ingeniously built hut entices our colleagues in the Republic of Congo to kick back and enjoy their spare time. With long-lasting friends: Kosipo, a magnificent 8 meter long slab of wood hosting lunches and barbecues; and beautifully durable Tali, alternating with Padouk and Wenge, which artfully results in a superb decking.

Sustainable Hardwood Made in Africa, our natural ally in the fight against deforestation

13.12.2022. Last 6 December, the European Union agreed a new law that would ban the import of products linked to deforestation. INTERHOLCO's top priority is to ensure that the harvesting and transport of timber has minimal impact, with no permanent or irreversible change to the services provided by the forest.

Forests, natural capital for sustaining food production

26.09.2022. When you choose Interholco’s FSC^®- certified products (Forest Stewardship Council^®, FSC^® C022952), you’re helping to take care of forests for future generations. Forest ecosystem services – such as the maintenance of biodiversity, climate regulation, water and soil quality, and pollination – are essential for sustainable agrifood systems and feeding a growing global population.

One simple step to truly make a difference for forests and climate

22.08.2022. Every week, the equivalent of all the buildings in Paris are built, globally and the pace is increasing. FSC^® has released a call to action for the construction sector: https://youtu.be/ROpmNhRviL0and INTERHOLCO is proud to be featured in FSC’s video.

SPOTT ESG transparency assessment and INTERHOLCO

08.08.2022. This year, INTERHOLCO ranks first in SPOTT’s ESG transparency assessment of 100 timber companies in the tropics. Let’s take a closer look. When it comes to tropical forests, the shortest distance from A to B is, ESG.

The best kept secret in INTERHOLCO's Sustainability report 2022

08.07.2022. Just as 2022 marks INTERHOLCO’s 60^th anniversary, the company launches its latest Sustainability Report. ‘Our wood products are the fruit of a people alliance,’ says Ulrich Grauert, INTERHOLCO CEO. ‘With this publication, we want even people sitting miles away from where we harvest and process our wood to see what our  ‘Made in Africa’ stands for.’  

‘Sustainable Hardwood - Made in Africa’ breaks all records at Europe’s leading timber show

14.06.2022. INTERHOLCO’s ‘Made in Africa’ breaks all records at Carrefour du Bois, Europe's number one trade fair for the wood sector. INTERHOLCO has noted an unprecedented attendance rate and a strong increase in the number of foreign visitors, including several from the United States, Africa and Asia.

Anchoring cities to forests

15.03.2022. Urban forests can transform cities into healthier places to live, not ‘just’ thanks to trees, but also through wood products for furniture and construction.

The future grows with wood

17.02.2022. One month into the new year, wood has turned into the cornerstone of future lifestyles. The ‘digital Neanderthal’ humans have as much of a tendency towards cool technology as they have a compelling desire for coziness, warm materials. In short: high-tech, high-touch – and wood is the natural choice.

For the love of tropical forests: INTERHOLCO at Gembloux JobDAY

14.02.2022. INTERHOLCO brought tropical forests to Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (University of Liège) on the occasion of Gembloux JobDAY. Last 18 November, the not-to-be-missed event brought together more than 200 forest management students, some of whom freshly graduated in forestry, agronomy and environment, returning for the first time after the 2020 pause.

Central African Forests Forever, the book that grows like a tree, downloadable for free in English, French and Chinese

29.11.2021. Dutch writer Meindert Brouwer has reviewed and expanded his 'Central African Forests Forever', an all-round must-read on Congo Basin natural tropical forests. The book comprises 17 new chapters about opportunities and solutions for their conservation and sustainable use.

Forests for all, forever our way forward

09.11.2021. The Republic of the Congo has a plan: co-creating solutions together with investors and natural tropical forests, not just for COP26 but well beyond. The way forward at bird’s eye view: (1.) Carbon positive forestry is possible in the Congo Basin. (2.) Together, we should compensate Africa’s forests. (3.) Forest and climate finance should share benefits with host countries and local communities.

Certified wood, my sustainable design ally

27.08.2021. Wood is the only building material that ensures it comes from responsibly managed sources, in this case forests.

INTERHOLCO first in SPOTT-on assessment of forest solutions for people and planet

24.06.2021. Deforestation and forest degradation are non-negotiables: millions of us depend on how far we are ready to go, to protect our forests i.e. our climate, our health, our food, our water, not to mention some of the world’s most extraordinary plants and animals. 

Talking wood: "Our wood can tell where it’s from"

18.06.2021. When our wood products reach the port of delivery, their marking allows for identification of the supply, all the way to the forest of origin. This is known as, traceability.

Supporting customers with trust

26.05.2021. In December 2020, INTERHOLCO passed the FSC® audit, which took place in the field. 'At INTERHOLCO, we strive for honesty, integrity,'says Tom van Loon, Head of Sustainability, INTERHOLCO. 'We place utmost importance on successful long-term partnerships with our suppliers and customers.'

Sustainable Hardwood – Made in Africa, good for forest, people and planet

05.06.2021. A forest is more than a question of trees. People live in and from it, shaping their survival, identity and beliefs around it. At the same time, a forest is home to hundreds of species of animals and trees; it feeds water basins, stocks carbon and regulates rain regimes which affect far away countries.

Listening to forest peoples to deliver solutions

24.05.2021. In Baka language ‘Musungui’ means, ‘to help one another’. The spirit of ‘Musungui’ is what best describes INTERHOLCO’s ALLIANCE: the ability to deliver solutions, joining forces. One of the solutions is, in fact, listening. Listening makes it possible to pinpoint key factors, measures that need to be improved at strategy level. 

Friends of the forest 2/2

21.05.2021. As agreed with the Congolese state, owner of the parks as well as of the Ngombé forest, INTERHOLCO is required to secure the area against unauthorised settlement, illegal harvesting, poaching, bushmeat trade and irreversible change.

Talking wood: ‘Conservation is only possible if we have a good relationship with the communities’

22.04.2021. INTERHOLCO works in synergy with the state eco-guards. Close cooperation between the state and the private sector for sustainable wildlife management is an arrangement which is unique to the Republic of Congo, as researchers from the University of Liège have recently illustrated.

Friends of the Forest 1/2

19.04.2021. “Conservation is only possible if we have a good relationship with the communities.”José Blanchard BOKANDZA could not have made his approach clearer: “The communities are the first custodians of the forest. Because they are the ones who depend on it in their daily life.”

Fishing on the river Kandeko

22.03.2021. The fish is huge, its dimensions giving it the appearance of a predator: « We call itnina in Lingala. It's the electric fish, » the lady explains. Electric catfish (scientific name Malapterurus electricus) are a freshwater fish, commonly found in many African rivers and lakes, including those of the Congo basin.

Talking wood: "The forest means everything to my home and family"

21.03.2021.On the occasion of International Day of Forests (21 March), "Sustainable Hardwood – Made in Africa” delivers a message of crucial importance: the forest is more than just trees. She is the mother and source of traditional healing for the local communities and indigenous peoples who have interacted with her over the course of thousands of years. 

Objects of art on a mission: a closer look at Africa’s ‘Forest dwellers’

23.02.2021.According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), between 2000 and 2010, large-scale commercial agriculture (generally related to cattle ranching and the cultivation of soya bean and oil palm) accounted for 40% of tropical deforestation, and local subsistence agriculture another 33%.

Africa’s forest dwellers win Conversations about Climate Change competition

15.02.2021. Gorillas, Bongos, Forest elephants and Chimpanzees team up with British architect Tom Wilson in ‘Forest dwellers’, one of the winners of the Conversations about Climate Change competition. Is it possible to sustainably harvest timber and natural products, contributing to ethical and sustainable economies, as well as safeguarding habitats, biodiversity and the health of the Earth? The four Forest Dwellers have been conceived to ask this very question.

Drumming up inspiration for positive change

08.02.2021. With New Year just weeks away, many are drumming up inspiration to let what matters come to the forefront. What are we most proud of? INTERHOLCO's performance in 2020, ranked number 1 in the world by SPOTT in the field of tropical forestry. However, the task remains still very big.

Diverse, interdependent, together: an ALLIANCE to safeguard the future of African natural forests

15.10.2020. To relate to a forest, is to relate to a country and its inhabitants. To the people, with their culture. Their dreams and aspirations, as much as their shortcomings and concerns. Relationships never stop being a work in progress. Dealing with a forest is no exception. We can become more intelligent and wiser, and over time, more fertile, if we work with others to reinvent the way of our future.

Working together for forests and people: the Congolese Minister of Tourism and Environment, Ms. Arlette Soudan-Nonault visits IFO

03.08.2020. The Minister of Tourism and Environment, Ms. Arlette Soudan-Nonault, visited the Industrie Forestière de Ouesso (IFO) in the Sangha Department, in the North of the Republic of Congo on August 3^rd, 2020.

INTERHOLCO has pride of place in SPOTT’s State of Transparency 2020, leading 100 timber and pulp and paper companies worldwide

27.07.2020. Because our products give access to life-changing benefits to a community of 10’000 people in one of Congo’s most landlocked regions. Because our resources are vitally important living wonders.  Because our forest protection means that anything, from a mushroom to an elephant, should thrive in their natural habitat.  We know, and care about, forests. And it shows.

INTERHOLCO’s laminated scantlings, high-performing products to make you project proud

16.06.2020. Exterior or interior projects require a strong, stable, long-lasting material. You like wood, but do not want to harm the forest? We love forests, too!And so do our wood products. INTERHOLCO brings you finger-jointed laminated scantlings that won’t cost the Earth. Our new brochure shows how.

Rescuing dwarf crocodiles from the clutches of poachers

25.05.2020. Behind his blue mask, the eco-guard is smiling: lying in the back of his pick-up under the scorching sun, 40 dwarf crocodiles are about to be set free. Before being released back in the river Sangha, they need rehydrating with a water sprinkle. With their muzzle tied up, they are lucky to be still alive. ‘That could show that the young crocodiles, a partially protected species in Congo, were not just destined for slaughter on the local market of Ouesso but rather, smuggling,’ argues José Blanchard Bokandza.