European ban of Teak

A ban of Burma Teak will hit the European boat builders strongly, as Burma Teak is regarded as the "only real teak" for boat decks by many quality boat manufacturers. Norway is considering to follow the EU ban.

The Rainforest Foundation of Norway is pleased to see that more manufacturers now market boats that do not use rainforest timber. "It is a very good development that Norwegian boat manufacturers are stopping or reducing the use of teak and other tropical woods. Despite the continued use of timber from rainforests, there is no doubt that the boat industry is moving in the right direction. This is positive, as the Industry for many years declined to see teak as a problem issue", states Nils Hermann Ranum in the Rainforest Foundation in a press announcement in connection with Oslo Boat Show in March 2008.  

Norwegian media has recently shown great interest in Flexiteek as a viable alternative to teak, and we expect this trend to increase with the growing awareness of the environmental issues involved. Please see PDF files from "Kast Loss" and "Vi Menn Båt".

Flexiteek has sold nearly 100,000 sqm of decking, with a production of nearly 25,000 sqm decking in 2007.