An ATIBT member operating in Gabon since 1982, Somivab has reached a new milestone in the development and security of its timber supply with the acquisition of a 300,000-hectare forest concession. At the same time, the company is continuing to expand its certified timber supply, notably through its partnership with GSEZ.
Established in Gabon for more than forty years, Somivab has historically specialised in the production of azobé products. In recent years, the company has progressively expanded its processing activities to include other species, such as okan, tali, padouk, movingui and niové.
Somivab has now announced the acquisition of a 300,000-hectare forest concession. This development will enable the company to increase its autonomy in supplying logs to its sawmills and further secure its supply chain. The concession is already legality (TLV) certified, and Somivab plans to obtain PAFC certification.
This development comes alongside further progress in the certification of the forest resources available to the company. In partnership with forest owner GSEZ, Somivab reports that several forest areas have been certified, representing 172,562 hectares under FSC standards and 127,627 hectares under the PAFC standard.
These certifications are expected to significantly increase the volumes of certified timber available for the various species processed by Somivab. The future PAFC certification of its own concession should further reinforce this momentum and strengthen the role of sustainable forest management and certification within the company’s timber supply strategy.
ATIBT congratulates Somivab and GSEZ on these developments and on their continued commitment to sustainable forest management in Gabon.
