International Paper wins the 'Leadership in Branding for Sustainability' award for its Farm Forestry Initiative

Chandigarh, October 30, 2015 – International Paper APPM Limited (IP-APPM), a group company of International Paper in India, announced that it has received the coveted Parivartan Sustainability Leadership Award for the year 2015 for its pioneering Farm Forestry initiative. This award was instituted by Sustainability Outlook to uncover and celebrate innovation and leadership in resource conservation within the industry. The award was presented by Mr. George Hamilton, President, Institute for Sustainabl​e Communitie​s and Ms. Sminu Jindal, Managing Director, Jindal SAW Limited to Mr. Deepak Khare-Head of Forestry in a glittering award ceremony.



The Parivartan Sustainability Leadership Awards were initiated in 2011 to recognize corporates leading the change on sustainability in India as well as emerging innovators developing cutting edge solutions. IP-APPM's Farm Forestry initiative was adjudged winner after the eminent jury members evaluated over 600 nominations including several leading corporates. Launched in late 1980s, IP-APPM's Farm Forestry initiative has so far planted around 1.5 billion saplings over 2.16 lac hectares that has aided more than 50,000 small scale farmers. The company, through the farm forestry initiative has achieved 100% sustainability in its requirement for raw material not only for itself but it also helps meet wood demands for Poles (for Timber Industry) and Fuel wood for local rural community.



This farm forestry programme is a live demonstration of ensuring integrated development of the farmer and as well as protecting him against any natural calamities like Cyclones, Droughts and Floods. The programme is mostly active in Coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh which experiences these calamities mostly every year in one form or the other. Through its farm forestry program, International Paper APPM limited engages nearly 80-85% Women right from cultivation of saplings till collection of wood.



Upon receiving the award Mr. Rampraveen Swaminathan, President of International Paper - India and Chairman and Managing Director of IP-APPM said, "It is an honor to receive the Parivartan Sustainability Leadership Award which was possible only because of our distinctive Farm Forestry programme. This programme is a testimony of the fact that innovation can ensure the efficient utilization of limited natural resources in the most sustainable manner. IP-APPM has not only enabled the utilization of barren and degraded lands for producing the raw materials but also converted it into a productive asset; providing a means of livelihood for small scale farmers."



The Parivartan Sustainability Leadership Awards were hosted alongside the 5th Annual Summit of Sustainable Business Leadership Forum, attended by over 350 sustainability leaders and several global institutions from industrial and policy landscape.



About International Paper APPM Limited



International Paper APPM Limited (IPAPPM), a group company of International Paper in India, is a leading manufacturer of pulp and paper products and caters to both domestic and foreign markets with sales of INR 113,494.91 lakhs for the year ended March 31, 2015. IPAPPM produces writing, printing and copier papers at its two manufacturing units in Andhra Pradesh, which have a total paper production capacity of 240,000 metric tons per year. The company is becoming a driving force in sustainability in the paper manufacturing arena in the world economy with focus on social and community programs including its own pioneering work in raw material generation through social farm forestry and a very strong strategic growth focus. International Paper owns a majority shareholding interest in IPAPPM and the remaining shares are publicly traded on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange in India. For more information on IPAPPM, please visit please visit ipappm.com.



About International Paper



International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global leader in packaging and paper with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa. Its businesses include industrial and consumer packaging along with uncoated papers and pulp. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., the company employs approximately 58,000 people and is strategically located in more than 24 countries serving customers worldwide. International Paper net sales for 2014 were $24 billion. For more information about International Paper, its products and stewardship efforts, visit internationalpaper.com.

Originally Source : Perfect Relations