The timber industry reimagined: lessons from market struggles and sustainability efforts

10.12.2025. The Annual Trade Advisory Group (TAG) Market Discussion took place on the theme 'The Timber Industry Reimagined: Lessons from Market Struggles and Sustainability Efforts' moderated by Ashley Amidon (CEO of the International Wood Products Association, IWPA) and Ivan Tomaselli (President of global sustainability advisory firm STCP), TAG Co-Chairs. The session was held on 28 October 2025 in Panama, as part of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC).

04.12.2025. A key motion aimed at modernizing the way Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) are conserved was adopted with broad support at the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) General Assembly, held in Panama City from 25 to 31 October 2025.

A new standard: durable landmarks with a lasting legacy

28.10.2025. Long before it graced the floors of Parisian apartments and luxury hotels, herringbone was a feat of Roman engineering. The opus spicatum ("spiked work") pattern was used to build durable roads and paths that could withstand the passage of people and, time. The secret was in the structure: the interlocking V-shaped layout distributed weight and stress evenly, preventing ruts and ensuring remarkable stability.

Proven Durability: Tali Against Time and Weather

10.09.2025. As autumn approaches, some parts of the world face harsher weather conditions. These are the moments when outdoor materials reveal their true colours.

After 12 years of exposure to Belgium’s weather, Tali (Erythrophleum ivorense, Erythrophleum suaveolens) stands as a natural performer — untreated, yet reliably meeting market expectations.

Cumaru and Ipe’s CITES Constraints, Tali’s Consistency

03.09.2025. It’s no secret. As soon as a timber species is added to the scope of CITES, a familiar pattern sets in: tighter trade controls, reduced availability, complex compliance.

For professionals who rely on performance-grade hardwoods like Cumaru and Ipe, this reality is more than a regulatory shift — it’s a supply chain risk.

5 ways our certified hardwood makes children (and parents) thrive

19.08.2025. A hardwood floor is more than a design statement — it’s a foundation for well-being. From supporting cleaner indoor air to nurturing creativity and mental readiness, here are five science-backed reasons why our certified hardwood is ideal to help children grow, play, and thrive.

8 ways our wood products are safe by design

11.08.2025. We don’t sell directly to parents or schools. But we craft our certified hardwood products as if we did.

From sourcing to processing, we apply the same level of care and rigour whether our wood ends up in a private residence, a marina, or a hospital.

Showcasing Industry Leadership at the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo

25.07.2025. The 4th edition of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo concluded on 15 June in Hunan, under the theme “China-Africa: Advancing Modernization Together.” With participation from over 53 African countries, the event offered a vital platform to promote economic cooperation and innovation across sectors.

#WhyWoodMatters: Versatility, The One Factor That Makes African Hardwood a Top Choice

23.07.2025. Investing in multi-purpose, high-quality hardwoods ensures resilience in a fluctuating market and allows companies to maintain a competitive edge by offering diverse product lines. 

Pain Point: Limited wood variety forces processors to source multiple types for different applications, complicating logistics and increasing inventory costs.

Solution: The diversity of African hardwoods allows processors to meet a wide range of market needs with a single supply source.

#WhyWoodMatters: 3 Ways Reliability Transforms Your Supply Chain

03.07.2025. Never have wood processors been more focused on securing a steady supply capable of meeting client expectations—without disruptions or soaring costs.

Pain Point:

Logistics disruptions—whether due to port congestion or trade tariffs—can break the delivery of certain species. The consequences? Financial losses, missed deadlines, and unfulfilled commitments.

Solution:

With continuous access to 1.16 million hectares of natural forest, sustainably managed and audited on-site each year, we ensure a reliable supply of high-quality tropical hardwoods.

WWF’s Forests Forward, showcasing corporate action where it matters most

24.06.2025. In a year when the world lost tropical forest cover nearly the size of Panamaover 40% of it in the Amazon alone—WWF’s Forests Forward programme stands out as a beacon of hope. Since its launch in 2021, it has worked to keep over 4 million hectares of forest protected—an area equivalent to the size of Switzerland. WWF’s latest Forests Forward Impact Report showcases 26 companies, including Interholco, which are taking concrete steps to halt deforestation and champion sustainable forest use.

#WhyWoodMatters: Sustainability and Certification, Meeting Market Expectations

18.06.2025. With growing regulatory pressure, particularly from the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and CITES, processors must ensure that their wood supply complies with legal and ethical sourcing standards.

Pain Point: Uncertified timber, particularly species listed under the CITES Annexes, struggle to enter markets due to strict laws and regulations such as the EUDR.

Solution: Our African hardwoods are sourced from FSC and PEFC-certified forests where we put in place careful harvesting practices.

#WhyWoodMatters: Sustainability and Certification, Meeting Market Expectations

10.06.2025. Want to offer your clients a high-performance, low-maintenance product that meets the increasing demand for sustainable materials?

Pain Point: Many wood species require chemical treatments to resist moisture, fungi and insects, adding to processing costs and causing environmental and health concerns.

Solution: Naturally durable species like Kanda and Tali (an alternative to largely sought after Azobé and Iroko) offer built-in resistance to rot, termites, and marine borers. 

Where Rain Begins: Why Your Timber Choice Matters to the Sky

06.06.2025. Your timber choices shape more than supply chains. This World Environment Day, discover why sourcing FSC- or PEFC-certified hardwood from the Congo Basin is more than a materials decision—it’s a climate action that keeps rain falling, crops growing, and millions thriving.

#WhyWood: Large Dimensions, Why Bigger Boards Matter

30.05.2025. Large-format planks are particularly valued in high-end applications such as conference tables, doors, and custom cabinetry, where continuity of grain and minimal jointing enhance the aesthetic appeal.

Pain Point: Many wood sources produce small or irregularly sized boards, limiting design possibilities and increasing waste.

Solution: African hardwood species grow to impressive sizes, allowing for large, defect-free boards.

#WhyWoodMatters: Stability: The Importance of Dimensional Stability in Hardwood Processing

21.05.2025. Stability is a critical factor in wood processing since material movement can lead to defects, rework and product returns.

Pain Point: Some wood species warp, shrink, or expand unpredictably, making them unsuitable for precision applications.

Solution: African hardwoods such as Bossé, Kosipo, Tali and Afrormosia  remain stable under varying humidity conditions, making them ideal for flooring, doors, and fine joinery.

#WhyWoodMatters: Workability, How the Right Hardwood Can Save Time and Effort

06.05.2024. Are tool wear and production inefficiencies causing exorbitant costs?

Ask our pro team to advise on the right hardwood for the right use – reduce costs and enhance client satisfaction!

Pain Point: Some hardwoods are difficult to machine, causing tool wear and slow production.

Solution: African species like our Bosse and Sapelli are renowned for their ease of machining, making them a preferred choice for processors.

#WhyWoodMatters: Aesthetic Appeal: Creating Eye-Catching, High-Value Products

29.04.2025. Tap into a lucrative segment of architects, designers, and premium furniture manufacturers who prioritize natural beauty and superior performance in their material selection!

Pain Point: Many wood species lack distinctive grain patterns or rich colours, limiting their appeal in high-end design markets. 

Solution: African hardwoods e.g. Bosse, Kosipo, Tali and Padouk offer striking grain patterns and deep, natural colour variations. 

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). 

#WhyWoodMatters: Durability and Strength: The Key to Long-Lasting Wood Products

15.04.2025. Tired of high product failure rates? Need long-lived wood that stands the test of time? Integrate our species into your product lines!

Pain Point: Many softwoods and low-density hardwoods fail under heavy use, leading to frequent replacements and increased costs.

Solution: African hardwoods like Azobé, Kanda and Tali offer exceptional durability and high strength, making them ideal for furniture, flooring, and construction.

Our new kilns: a strategic asset for the dimensional stability of our Tali decking boards

11.04.2025. The construction of 10 new kilns at IFO’s production site—Interholco’s subsidiary in the North of Congo—has been completed.

Which is the advantage of kiln-dried wood? Christophe Janssen, Chief Operating Officer at Interholco, shares his insights in the interview below.

Standing Ovation on our Tali decking!

21.03.2025. Lace up your sneakers this International Day of Forests and take a stroll like never before!In Cincinnati (USA), the Tali boardwalk at the Ovation hub stretches an incredible four football fields long (1500 feet or 450 m) decking - a seamless path of sustainably harvested Tali wood, brought to life by Interholco.

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 something just right? That’s exactly the feeling our wood brings to your spaces.

Bossé Hardwood: A Festival of Strength and Durability!

11.02.2025. Boost your wood projects with the bold hue with cedar-like scent and enduring quality of ourBossé! Like the vibrant spectacle of a festival, Bossé dazzles with its rich, warm tones and uniform texture, offering architects, designers, and wood artisans a material that’s as stunning as it is strong.

Certified Azobé, A Real Work of Art

28.01.2025. Bridges, sheet piling, shoring, and jetties—these essential civil engineering structures come in all shapes and sizes. Sustainability requirements for materials used in such projects are becoming increasingly strict. Among these materials, wood is recognized as a particularly eco-friendly choice, but its environmental impact heavily depends on its origin.

Power on ⚡ PEFC, a 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.

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