MATERIAL | ORIGIN | RESPONSIBILITY
Indonesian plantation teak – origin and responsibility
Long-lasting garden furniture starts with a considered choice of materials. For our teak furniture, we exclusively use teak from managed plantations in Indonesia. Newly felled teak from untouched primary forest is not part of our sourcing approach.
Clear origins. Careful selection and craftsmanship.
01 / RENEWABLE RESOURCE
Plantation teak from Indonesia
Teak is grown on purpose-managed land and processed after harvesting. We aim to source wood from responsible forestry with a traceable supply chain.
Plantation teak is genuine teak (Tectona grandis). Its quality depends not only on the age of the tree, but also on the growing site, proportion of heartwood, correct drying and furniture manufacture.
02 / QUALITY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
Careful processing of plantation teak
For high-quality garden furniture, wood selection, proper drying and appropriate construction are crucial. It is the actual quality and processing, not age alone, that determine the result.
Colour and grain can vary naturally in genuine teak. These differences are inherent to the material and do not indicate a different species of wood.
Plantation teak versus very old natural-forest teak: what are the differences?
Botanically, both are the same wood species. The main differences are not separate varieties of teak, but growth, age, location and the selection of the wood actually used.
Plantation teak
- Grown on purpose-managed land; harvesting ages vary considerably between operations.
- Younger trunks may contain a lower proportion of heartwood and a higher proportion of sapwood.
- Colour, growth rings, knots and density vary with site, genetics, age and processing.
- Carefully selected heartwood that has been technically dried correctly can be suitable for premium outdoor furniture.
Very old teak from natural forests
- Very old trees often contain a larger proportion of developed heartwood.
- Structure, growth characteristics and natural compounds may differ from those in younger trunks.
- Age alone does not guarantee a particular density, weather resistance or furniture quality.
- Newly felled wood from untouched natural forests is not an option for our furniture.
What matters is not the simplistic question of 'young or old', but how the specific batch of wood was selected, dried and processed. For our garden furniture we use only plantation teak from Indonesia. Very old natural-forest teak is discussed here solely to explain material differences; it is not part of the materials we offer.
Indonesia, FLEGT and timber origin controls
Indonesia and the European Union have a FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement. Since 15 November 2016, the FLEGT licensing system has applied to the wood products covered by it. The system is based on Indonesia's timber legality verification (SVLK) and aims to support legal supply chains and traceability.
Important: A FLEGT licence demonstrates legality. On its own it does not establish that a product consists exclusively of plantation-grown timber, automatically holds a special sustainability certification or has no environmental impact. Further claims require appropriate product- and supply-chain-specific evidence.
Background: European Commission on FLEGT and Start of the licensing system (EU Official Journal).
Our planet is unique. Our responsibility goes further.
Our children and grandchildren should be able to enjoy a planet worth living on tomorrow, too. That is why responsible use of wood, traceable origins and furniture designed for long use are important to us.
Responsibility is reflected in concrete decisions, not broad advertising promises: plantation teak from managed land, sound construction, careful craftsmanship and appropriate care. When discussing timber origins and sustainability, we want to explain what we know and what must be substantiated separately for individual models.
How do you care for plantation teak outdoors?
Both materials can naturally turn grey outdoors. Care depends on the surface treatment, construction and manufacturer information. Gentle cleaning and thorough drying are often more useful than harsh products or oiling without checking suitability.
Our care guides Get personal advice
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MATERIALS & CARE