The North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative welcomes Asia Pacific Resources International Ltd. (APRIL Group) to its Innovation Hub in NC State University's Plant Sciences Building.
The Innovation Hub provides companies a space to build relationships with the N.C. PSI scientists and students as they pursue solutions to some of the world's most important agricultural, forestry and related challenges.
APRIL is a leading global provider of pulp, paper and board products. It employs 13,000 people in Indonesia, where its plantations and manufacturing operations are located. Sold in over 110 countries worldwide, APRIL's products are used in liquid packaging, printing and writing paper, tissues, shopping bags, food packaging, magazines and books.
APRIL's 270-person research-and-development team pursues strategies, including integrated pest and disease management, precision forestry, to boost productivity and wood fiber yields without expanding the company's plantation footprint.
APRIL's Tree Improvement Head Gustavo Salgado Martins shared the following information about the company, its decision to join the Innovation Hub and more.
How does your company address challenges in forestry?
At APRIL, we recognize that the challenges facing the forestry sector -- such as climate change, deforestation, and ecosystem degradation -- are complex and require multifaceted solutions. We invest in R&D to advance sustainable approaches to forestry plantation management. The company operates a centralized facility comprising three laboratories and located at its Riau complex.
The facility is responsible for forestry research across APRIL's fiber business unit. Our R&D mission is to increase plantation fiber productivity by 50%, as outlined in our long-term APRIL2030 sustainability commitments.
APRIL is committed to sustainability in business and in the broader operating landscape. A decade ago, we adopted a unique 1-for-1 goal, where APRIL targets to conserve one hectare of forest for every hectare of plantation. Currently APRIL conserves and restores about 360,000 hectares of forests, including the largest peatland restoration project in Indonesia.
Why did you choose to be a member of the Innovation Hub?
This collaboration provides us with access to innovative technologies and scientific insights that help us optimize tree growth, enhance resilience to pests and diseases and improve overall forest productivity. These advancements not only boost our operational efficiency but also contribute to our broader goals of mitigating environmental impact.
Being part of the Innovation Hub enables us to work alongside researchers and other industry leaders to develop science-based strategies that address these critical issues. Joining the Innovation Hub is also about empowering our people and communities. Collaborating with a prestigious institution like North Carolina State University opens doors for our team to engage in advanced training and professional development.
Ultimately, our decision to be part of the Innovation Hub stems from a shared vision of creating a positive impact on climate, nature and society. We are excited about the potential of this partnership to accelerate our sustainability initiatives and contribute to global efforts to address environmental challenges.
Does your company partner with NC State in other endeavors?
APRIL is connected to two important research cooperatives at the university's forestry department. One is Camcore, a tree breeding research cooperative that we have partnered with since 2017. In 2025, we are finalizing the membership agreement with the Forest Productivity Cooperative to support our forest management and silviculture research projects.
We also have a research collaboration agreement with the university to execute strategic research projects exploring cutting edge technologies and innovation. We are currently developing a project with the Controlled Environment Agriculture Coalition and are also constantly exploring opportunities to leverage the university's research capabilities.
We are looking forward to further innovative research projects dealing with forestry productivity, tree breeding, genomics, biotechnology, wood technology and biomaterials.
What do you think about approaching grand forestry and landscape management challenges through interdisciplinary research and technology development?
Addressing the significant challenges in forestry and landscape management requires an interdisciplinary approach supported by innovative technological advancements. Today's environmental issues -- such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable resource management -- cannot be effectively resolved from a single-disciplinary perspective. Instead, they call for the combined expertise and collaborative efforts of various fields working together to develop comprehensive solutions.
Interdisciplinary research brings together specialists from forestry, genetics, biotechnology, data science, environmental policy, and more. This collaboration enables us to grasp the complex nature of forestry challenges in a holistic manner.
At APRIL, we have embraced this approach by actively participating in collaborative projects and partnerships that promote interdisciplinary innovation. Through this partnership, we work alongside leading experts to advance research in genetics, breeding, and sustainable forestry practices. This collaboration empowers us to leverage novel scientific discoveries and apply them directly to our sustainability initiatives.
To achieve our 2030 goal of a 50% increase in plantation fiber productivity, we are investing in forestry research and embracing technological innovations. By combining insights from plant sciences, soil, ecology and climate modeling, we optimize our plantation management to be more efficient and environmentally friendly.
In summary, approaching forestry and landscape management challenges through interdisciplinary research and technology development is not just beneficial -- it is essential. This strategy allows us to comprehensively address the complex, interconnected factors that affect our forests and landscapes.
