SUSTAINABILITY AND VENEERS: The eco-friendly choice
Experts in Sustainable Veneer Production
Schorn & Groh is committed to the sustainable and responsible use of the valuable natural resource: wood. Veneers are among the most resource-efficient wood products in the world. Compared to plastic-based panel materials, they are not only more environmentally friendly but also visually and tactilely unique.
Ecological Aspect
Maximizing the use of a renewable resource
Veneer: The thinnest form of solid wood
Veneer is not just wood – it is wood in its most efficient form. A single tree trunk measuring 5 meters in length and 0.50 meters in diameter yields approximately 750 square meters of veneer. This amount is enough to furnish about 50 bedrooms. Compared to solid wood, veneer enables significantly more resource-efficient utilization, as less wood is required for the same surface area.
Selective Harvesting: Promoting natural forest regeneration
Only about 1% of trees worldwide are suitable for producing high-quality veneers. Through selective harvesting, forests are not clear-cut but carefully thinned. This gentle approach encourages natural regeneration, improves light availability for younger trees, and ultimately enhances the long-term stability of forest ecosystems.
Economic Aspect:
Investing in sustainable Forestry
Value creation through sustainable wood utilization
Forest owners achieve the highest revenues by selling high-quality veneer logs. These profits enable investments in healthy mixed forests and the conservation of natural woodland areas. Schorn & Groh, for instance, pays up to €120,000 per year for exclusive veneer logs from the Palatinate Forest—directly contributing to the preservation of native forests
Optimal use of wood
No part of the tree goes to waste: Nearly all wood harvested is used in veneer substrates or other wood-based materials. The tree’s crown remains in the forest as a natural fertilizer, ensuring a closed-loop system in forestry.
Environmental aspect:
Climate protection through sustainable mixed forests, biodiversity, and conservation
Forest as natural CO₂ storage
Forests play a vital role in climate protection by absorbing and storing large amounts of CO₂. Through photosynthesis, trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their trunks, leaves, and roots. The longer wood products such as furniture, doors, or interior paneling are used, the longer the CO₂ remains stored, prolonging the climate protection effect. Young trees, in particular, absorb the most CO₂ during their growth phase. Sustainable forestry ensures a balanced proportion of young and old trees, maximizing carbon sequestration. Without the use of wood and sustainable forestry, Germany’s national greenhouse gas emissions would be about 14% higher.
Deforestation and its consequences
Despite their vital role in climate regulation, forests are disappearing at an alarming rate. Between 2015 and 2020, an average of 9.3 million hectares of tropical forest was lost annually, according to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), primarily due to agricultural expansion. The cultivation of monocultures, such as palm oil and soy plantations, significantly contributes to the decline of biodiversity, disrupting delicate ecosystems and threatening countless plant and animal species
Why monocultures are problematic
Industrial forestry often relies on monocultures, which pose serious environmental risks. These single-species forests are highly susceptible to drought, storms, pests, and diseases. Additionally, monocultures deplete soil nutrients over time, reducing the land’s long-term productivity and ecological balance.
Mixed forests: The key to a stable ecosystem
Sustainably managed mixed forests, on the other hand, provide far greater resilience against climate change and environmental stressors. They serve as critical habitats for countless species, stabilize the environment, and maintain natural biodiversity. Protecting and promoting mixed forests is essential for the long-term preservation of ecosystems. Veneer manufacturers actively source wood from such sustainable forests to ensure long-term supply. Certifications like FSC® and PEFC guarantee responsible forest management and prevent deforestation.
Certifications: Guarantees for sustainable wood products
FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council)
An internationally recognized certification ensuring responsible forest management. FSC-certified wood and paper products meet strict ecological, social, and economic standards, including biodiversity protection, no clear-cutting, and indigenous rights preservation. Companies using FSC-certified materials contribute directly to the responsible use of forest resources.
PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification)
The world’s largest independent forest certification system, developed to address specific challenges in forestry across different regions. PEFC ensures that wood products originate from responsibly managed forests and adapts standards to national forestry conditions. Businesses with PEFC certification actively support forest conservation and sustainable wood production.
EUTR & EUDR (EU Timber Regulation & EU Deforestation Regulation)
The EUTR mandates that companies in the EU verify their timber is legally sourced and not from illegal deforestation. The updated EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation) goes further by requiring businesses to prove that their products do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation. These regulations strengthen transparency and accountability in the timber industry.
Aesthetic aspect:
Design possibilities with veneer
Natural design with a unique aesthetic
Veneer is not only sustainable but also a premium design material. Various veneer joining techniques allow for highly customized appearances, ranging from natural wood grain to modern geometric patterns.
Seamless large-scale applications
As a natural material, each veneer sheet features unique grain patterns and color variations—even within the same wood species. Factors such as location, climate, and soil composition influence the wood’s texture and hue. To achieve a cohesive and harmonious look in large-scale applications like wall or ceiling paneling, it is recommended to carefully match veneer sheets from different logs of the same species into precisely cut veneer decks, known as fix dimensions in industry terms. This same principle applies to furniture and doors in an interior space, ensuring a unified and aesthetically pleasing design.
Sustainability with Schorn & Groh
Schorn & Groh is dedicated to the responsible use of wood. By choosing veneers for your projects, you support sustainable forestry, conserve valuable resources, and benefit from a high-quality natural material that is both unique and versatile. Your choice directly contributes to the preservation of our forests.
Do you have questions or want to learn more about sustainable veneers?
We’re happy to assist you!
We’re happy to assist you!
