The forest-based sector is one of the largest industrial sectors in Europe. It accounts for some 7% of the EU’s manufacturing GDP and employs over 3.5 million people across more than 400,000 small- and medium-sized enterprises and multinational corporations (2013).
The sector includes the woodworking and furniture industries, the pulp, paper and converting industry and forest owners. Around 90% of the raw wood material input of the forest-based sector comes from sustainably managed EU forest resources.
The development and growth of the European forest-based sector is strategic for achieving EU policy goals.
The forest-based sector incorporates the three pillars of sustainable development: economic efficiency, social acceptance and benefits, and environmental performance. Mindful of the political, economic, environmental and social challenges which lie ahead, the sector will continue to use its diverse skills and considerable creativity to meet the needs of consumers and European society as a whole.
