Argentinian Agribusiness Leader Uses Pulp Sourced from Responsibly Managed Forests for Paper Production

 SCS Global Services (SCS), a global third-party certification body, announced today that Ledesma SAAI (Ledesma), an Argentinian agribusiness company that produces 40% of the nation’s paper, has earned Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody (CoC) certification. This internationally recognized certification confirms that Ledesma is sourcing pulp from responsibly managed forests for its paper production, and effectively tracking it through its system to deliver FSC-certified paper products to customers.

“Ledesma’s policy to source from responsibly managed forests sets an example for the region’s paper production industry while ensuring that natural resources are valued and preserved,” said Robert J. Hrubes, Executive Vice President at SCS Global Services.

During the audit, SCS assessed two paper mills and four distribution sites, confirming that Ledesma sources “FSC Mix” certified pulp for its entire paper production at its mill in Jujuy and for coated paper and ream production at its mill in San Luis.

In addition to sourcing FSC Mix certified pulp for its large-scale paper production, Ledesma operates the largest sugar mill in the country, producing refined sugar, corn syrups, ethyl alcohols, and other sugar products. Ledesma utilizes bagasse – the spent sugar fiber leftover from sugar cane harvest –as another feedstock for paper production.

“Our policy to source FSC-certified materials and to use our own waste products in paper production not only meets our sustainability values, but it helps our bottom line,” said Veronica Ibarra, Publicity Director at Ledesma. “Through use of these sources, we are demonstrating our commitment to serving our customers for the long haul.”

Ledesma’s FSC certification and waste reuse initiatives are only part of the company’s sustainability leadership. Ledesma has made great strides in reusing water in its operations, installing closed-loop systems, and also designating more than 60% of its owned land as conservation areas, with support from the Argentinian government.

About Ledesma SAAI
Ledesma SAAI is a Argentinean agribusiness company committed to the development of the country. With more than 7,500 employees, Ledesma leads in the marketplace for sugar, printing paper, notebooks and school supplies. Its paper production alone is more than 700,000 metric tons per year. It also has a significant market share in the fruit and juice concentrates, meat, cereals, alcohol and ethanol, and corn syrups and starches. Its varied products have been satisfying customers and transforming markets for more than 100 years. Ledesma is built upon a legacy of family leadership, dedicated workers and suppliers, and the natural resources and communities found in the Yungas Forest and surrounding area.

About SCS Global Services
SCS Global Services has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for three decades. Its programs span a wide cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in forestry, fishery management, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, retail, and more. SCS has been conducting assessments under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standard since its inception, both for responsibly managed forests and for wood and paper products made from FSC-certified wood. The chain-of-custody certification traces FSC-certified timber throughout the value chain, ensuring that it remains separated and distinct from non-certified wood in all stages of harvesting, transport and processing.