10.12.2025. The Annual Trade Advisory Group (TAG) Market Discussion took place on the theme 'The Timber Industry Reimagined: Lessons from Market Struggles and Sustainability Efforts' moderated by Ashley Amidon (CEO of the International Wood Products Association, IWPA) and Ivan Tomaselli (President of global sustainability advisory firm STCP), TAG Co-Chairs. The session was held on 28 October 2025 in Panama, as part of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC).
The panellists participating in the TAG Market Discussion
Emily Fripp, the founder and Director of Efeca, provided a reflection on the current status and trends and the global tropical timber market. Forest managers, producers, regulators and local communities operate in an increasingly complex landscape, changing with the geopolitical context and global need for traceability and transparency. She highlighted the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) as an example. Forest value was once placed solely on timber and forest products. Now there is growing recognition of the holistic nature of forests, the many services they provide and the numerous actors involved.
Tullia Baldassarri, Communication and marketing manager, Interholco (above), described the dynamics of managing a 1 million ha concession in the Republic of the Congo to produce high quality and high value timber. She stressed commitments to workers’ rights and approaches to building trust and confidence with communities. The industry in the Congo, she explained, has been challenged to achieve the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’, (Industry 4.0) to be advanced by state-of-the-art machinery, sizable investment and advanced manufacturing technology backed-up by skill upgrading. On top of this, said Tullia Baldassarri, Interholco’s ‘Made in Africa’ benefits from partnerships with local, regional and international stakeholders to link achievements in forest protection and wood processing with external expectations for social, environmental, economic and regulatory performance and compliance.
The presentations were followed by a question-and-answer session with members of the Council. Speakers stressed the need to ensure that food security and basic needs are met before communities can invest in forest protection and production. Baldassarri described Interholco’s approaches to free, prior and informed consent, as well as company participatory processes.
Following the event, the Trade Advisory Group (TAG) Co-Coordinator Ashley Amidon presented the TAG Statement, accessible here. Presentations made during the 2025 ITTO Annual Market Discussion and the TAG Statement are available on this link: ITTC-61 - Presentations | ITTO | The International Tropical Timber Organization
Photos © IISD / ENB / Angeles Estrada Vigil
About Interholco
The valorisation of a natural forest of 1.16 million hectares in the Republic of Congo Brazzaville is our DNA here at INTERHOLCO. As an FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®, FSC® C022952) and PEFC and PAFC certified producer, INTERHOLCO is a well-established player in the trade of its edged boules, sawn timber, glue laminated scantlings, decking boards and more.
We are a leading provider of high-quality wood products ‘Made in Africa’ holding a verified environmental and health performance statement (FDES requirement in France). Our teams carefully manage the supply chain from forest to customer. Our story is fully illustrated by enabling the people living in Ngombe to access better life conditions. We make it possible to design and build a healthy living environment with bio-based, eco-friendly materials, one of the real solutions for the planet and climate. Follow us on LinkedIn
Communication contact Interholco
Tullia Baldassarri Höger von Högersthal
INTERHOLCO AG, Neuhofstr. 25, 6340 Baar, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 (0)41 767 03 82
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.