Sofidel received the FSC® “Radici Comuni” award in Florence for its contribution to responsible forest management and the large-scale adoption of FSC-certified products. The recognition was presented during the celebration of FSC Italy’s 25th anniversary and coincided with Sofidel’s 60th anniversary.
Riccardo Balducci, Group Sustainability Director at Sofidel, accepted the award from FSC International Director General Subhra Bhattacharjee, FSC Italy President Maria Rita Gallozzi and Director Giuseppe Bonanno. Balducci also spoke at a discussion on the bioeconomy and forest product supply chains.
The award recognised Sofidel’s consistent promotion of FSC-certified products and its role in bringing the “Forests For All Forever” message onto consumer packaging. Sofidel is an FSC-certified company (FSC-C017535), a long-standing member of FSC Italy and a member of FSC International.
“This award is a great honor for us and belongs to the entire Group,” said Riccardo Balducci, Group Sustainability Director at Sofidel. “Twenty-four years of collaboration with FSC® demonstrate that integrating responsible forest management into a business model is possible and that doing so consistently over time creates a real impact. Continuing along this path is an essential commitment for us and one of the fundamental pillars of our ecological transition journey and our efforts to promote consumption models aligned with our long-term sustainability goals.”
“Celebrating FSC® Italia’s 25th anniversary means honoring a journey built on shared people, vision, and courage,” commented Maria Rita Gallozzi, President of FSC Italy. “The ‘Radici Comuni’ awards and Sofidel’s commitment demonstrate that responsible forest management is not an abstract concept, but a daily practice brought to life by companies and communities that have been able to innovate and lead the way. Looking to the future, these organizations represent the essential starting point for addressing the major challenges of the ecological transition and combating the climate crisis, by building increasingly ethical and resilient supply chains.”
A partnership dating back to 2002
The collaboration between Sofidel and FSC Italy began in 2002 and has developed over more than two decades. All virgin pulp sourced by the group is certified under recognised forest certification schemes. In the first half of 2026, 95% came from FSC-certified forests and FSC Controlled Wood sources.
The sourcing policy is part of a broader sustainability strategy. Sofidel has also achieved an A- CDP rating for forests and the highest A score for sustainable timber management.
Headquartered in Porcari, near Lucca, Sofidel was founded in 1966. The tissue manufacturer operates in 13 countries, comprising 12 European countries and the United States, where it is present in 12 states. It employs more than 9,500 people and has an annual production capacity of 2,002,000 tonnes. Consolidated net turnover in 2025 was €4.018 billion. Its brands include Regina, Sopalin, Le Trèfle, Hakle, Softis, Nalys, Cosynel, KittenSoft, Nicky and Papernet.
