28 | Sector Focus: Tropical Timber
SUMMARY
■ ATIBT was created in 1951 and has over 170 members
■It aims to develop the global market for third party certified sustainable tropical timber
■ Its new digital campaign is called True/False
■ Fair&Precious was launched by ATIBT as a collective brand in 2016
MYTH BUSTING AND BUILDING WITH TROPICAL TIMBER
ATIBT is tackling misconceptions about tropical timber and promoting its potential in construction. Mike Jeffree reports
A prime focus of the International Tropical Timber Technical Association (ATIBT) is to develop the global market for third party certified sustainable tropical timber in order to incentivise maintenance of tropical forests and drive their third-party certification. Its latest moves to this end are a new campaign to dispel popular myths about using tropical timber among specifiers, the media and influencers, plus a new English version of a comprehensive 80-page guide on use of tropical wood in construction. The new digital campaign, titled True/ False is aimed at challenging people’s preconceptions about tropical wood and countering “clichés that undermine its true value”, said ATIBT communications manager Nathalie Bouville.
Above: The guide looks at factors such as mechanical resistance, stability, natural durability TTJ | November/December 2025 |
www.ttjonline.com
“The initiative aims to correct misconceptions and remind people that sustainable tropical forestry is part of the solution to current climate, social and economic challenges,” she said. True/False was first unveiled at the inaugural Fomadecie environmental communications fair in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo in April, which brought together stakeholders from across the Congo Basin. The initial run of the campaign on channels including LinkedIn and Instagram was through October and primarily targeted professionals in the architecture, construction, and public procurement sectors in France and Central Africa. It aimed to mobilise
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