Apical Reforestadora, S.A. is a leading reforestation company in Panama, established in 2008, developing high-quality teak plantations in balance with social and environmental objectives.
Apical
About Apical
Apical Reforestadora SA is a leading reforestation company in Panama, established in 2008, dedicated to developing high-quality teak plantations in balance with social and environmental objectives. The plantations are located in the regions of Panama and Darien, totaling 4,400 hectares, with 3,300 hectares consisting of top-quality teak timber. Apical has been FSC® certified since 2012, showcasing its ongoing commitment to responsible forest management.
From the beginning, plantations have been established on carefully selected soils, using the highest-yielding genetics available. Apical has maintained a consistent focus on developing its clonal material, establishing its own modern nursery, and producing high-quality, high-yield cuttings. The company benefits from being part of a larger teak network focused on the clonal program, as well as advanced silvicultural regimes, harvesting operations, and teak trade.
Apical Reforestadora is one of the leading producers and exporters of certified teak logs in Panama.
Over the years, Apical has developed a strong knowledge and expertise throughout the entire value chain. With its own modern nursery, a large contractor base, and a growing customer base, Apical has gained superior understanding and control of value-added operations.
APICAL
Company History
2008 Apical Reforestadora SA was established in Panama.
2009 GIS implemented. The first land was acquired and planted. Purchase of maturing teak assets.
2010 Nursery investment completed, and 800 hectares were planted with in-house seedlings. Land acquisition continued. Occupational safety plan implemented. First set of yield models developed using Darien data.
2011 Clonal program initiated, planting around 800 hectares. Thinning of maturing stands and sale of first-class wood.
2012 FSC® certification awarded. First clonal plantation established, covering approximately 700 hectares. First mature harvest and roadside sales.
2013 First direct export. Collection of superior genetic material from mature plantations for Apical's own clonal mother orchard began.
2014 Harvest volume reached 10,000 cubic meters per year. A barcode trunk inventory system was implemented to optimize trunk measurements, sales, and chain of custody. The first thinning in the greenfield plantation began.
2015 Apical's new land planting program was completed, and customer base expansion continued.
2020 Apical initiated its first thinning commercial operation.
2021 Apical's thinning operation started for the clones planted in 2012.
APICAL
Characteristics of teak
Teak (Tectona grandis) is one of the most valuable hardwoods in the world, renowned for its dark color, fine grain, and exceptional durability.
There is broad consensus that global demand for roundwood, including teak, will continue to increase in the long term. The world market will keep consuming ever greater volumes of forest products, driven primarily by population growth and economic development.
Teak is naturally found in India, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, and it has since been successfully introduced to other regions of the world for commercial purposes. The supply of natural teak logs in the global timber market has significantly reduced due to high deforestation rates, combined with export bans on logs of natural teak origin. With the decreasing availability of teak from native forests, plantation teak has become an increasingly important source of timber to meet the growing demand.
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Products
Apical supplies its extensive customer base with certified and highest-quality teak logs. Our customers repeat their purchases year after year, which is the best indicator of our high-quality standards related to our product and delivery services. Our high-quality logs are the result of a dedicated and scientifically based approach to forestry and teak genetic selection.
Since our customers are engaged in producing some of the finest end products in the world, we equally strive to provide them with the best possible raw material.
Apical's teak has benefited from an intensive pruning regime that ensures the highest possible log quality for the production of end products. Over the years, Apical has developed a state-of-the-art barcode-based log yard management system that allows for very efficient tracking of harvested and exported logs, ensuring that our customers' very specific orders are met.
Forestry
Apical applies the best silvicultural practices to develop sustainable, profitable, and top-quality products.
- Mechanical soil preparation with a forestry plow along the planting lines.
- Weed control before planting.
- Timely planting with high-quality seedlings, ranging from 500 to 1000 trees per hectare depending on the genetic material and site characteristics.
- Initial and maintenance fertilization at selected sites.
- Repeated pruning up to 7 meters.
- 2-3 thinnings before the final harvest at the age of 18-25 years.
APICAL
Sustainability
Apical has been FSC® certified since 2012, and the company ensures that all its plantations and logs it produces adhere to the highest standards of responsible forest management. Furthermore, Apical is a good neighbor, supporting local schools and initiatives such as the Darien Children's Foundation and maintaining public roads.
Apical exceeds the 10% requirement for protected areas, maintaining conservation areas that make up 23% of its total area. Apical also views plantations as a valuable environmental resource. In addition to the obvious benefits of carbon storage and erosion control, through our wildlife monitoring program, we have observed numerous animal species living and feeding in the plantations.
Contact Us
Apical Reforestadora S.A.
Las Arcadas Shopping Center, Local 30-B
Brisas del Golf, Panamá
Tel. +5072200030
Email: Hannu.Hietavirta@nuveennc.com
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