29.05.2026
The tropical timber sector has long recognised the promise of LKTS — species that are underused, undervalued and often underestimated. This roundtable sets out to explore the conditions, pathways and lessons learned that could help bring these species to market.
Lesser-Known Timber Species — LKTS — have long been described as a significant untapped resource for the tropical timber sector. On Wednesday 3 June, from 11:00 to 12:30 in Canopée 2, ATIBT brings together researchers, forest concessionaires, industrial actors and practitioners to share experience, methodology and tools for the valorisation of LKTS.
The session is organised within the framework of the Tropical Timber Trade Facility (TTT) project, funded by BMZ and implemented by GIZ. The programme covers the history of the LKTS initiative led by ATIBT; FSC's work on LKTS and the platform developed to support their visibility and promotion; and exchanges with forest concessionaires engaged in species diversification.
Scientific and industrial feedback on Manilkara and Eveuss species will illustrate the technical and commercial challenges of introducing new timber products to market — including questions of market acceptance and potential opportunities for buyers. These cases are presented not as established solutions, but as live experiments from which the sector is still drawing lessons.
Participants will also discover recently developed support resources, including a book on Central African trees and a laminating guide for professionals in processing and application.
The roundtable is conceived as a dialogue space between science, forest management and industry, with a shared ambition: to move beyond the observation of untapped potential and examine, together, what conditions and approaches might transform these forest resources into durable value for the sector.
Wednesday 3 June · 11:00–12:30 · Canopée 2, Hall XXL ·
Organised by ATIBT · TTT project, funded by BMZ and implemented by GIZ
Contact: info@atibt.org
