The forest... its scents, its colors, its sounds, its magic - always relaxing for body and soul. In Japan, there is even the philosophy of forest bathing, which is sometimes prescribed by doctors! But the preservation of forests is not only important for us humans. Forests are essential components of our planet's health. We need them! It is our duty to protect them. 

The graphic arts industry is actively committed to forest conservation and plays a key role in promoting sustainable practices. A common prejudice that natural forests are cleared for paper production can be quickly refuted: The trunk wood of mature trees is simply too expensive for paper production. Instead, the fresh fibers are mainly sourced from sawmill waste, plantation wood or wood obtained through targeted thinning. When forests are thinned, weaker trees are specifically removed to provide the remaining trees with better growing conditions. This has a positive effect on the health of forests and increases their resilience to the effects of climate change.

The import of wood into Europe is strictly monitored by the European Timber Trade Regulation (EUTR) to ensure that no illegally harvested wood reaches the market. The graphic arts industry is also strongly committed to transparent and sustainable forestry through certification systems such as PEFC and FSC.

Measures such as these ensure as far as possible that the paper, printing and media industry not only complies with legal standards, but also actively contributes to the preservation and expansion of German and European forests. Continuous reforestation and the high proportion of recycled paper used in production also underline the industry's commitment to environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources.