Wood – a material with many qualities

Wood is the material most commonly associated with IKEA furniture, and for good reasons. As part of our Scandinavian design heritage, we love working with wood because it's an excellent material from a design and quality perspective, provided that it comes from responsibly managed forests. Wood is also durable, renewable, recyclable – and beautiful.

Wood from sustainable sources only

Because wood is so important to IKEA, we work together with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) to take care of the world’s forests. Through responsible forest management, we make sure we have forests for all, forever. We have reached our goal in securing that our wood is from more sustainable sources (FSC certified and recycled wood).

Combining wood types

Oak is a strong hardwood that darkens beautifully with age. MÖRBYLÅNGA table top has a three-millimetre top layer of solid oak. The durable solid oak top layer makes every table unique, each with its own grain pattern and natural colour variations. Apart from the benefits in the kitchen, the thin layer technique requires less raw material than a solid worktop. Plus it weighs 20% less than solid wood, so reduces emissions in transportations, and is easier to carry and handle.

Durable wood furniture for your garden

Acacia is a durable and rot-resistant wood that works great for outdoor furniture, like our ÄPPLARÖ series. All acacia we use comes from FSC certified plantations. Together with our suppliers, smallholder farmers and partners like WWF, IKEA ensures that acacia is grown in a way that is better for the environment and the local communities.

Using wood wisely

Making more from less is part of the IKEA culture, and we always use resources efficiently. Every piece of wood is cut and shaped so that waste is minimised in production, while maintaining quality and durability. We constantly look for new and smarter ways to design and build our furniture to make sure our customers get the best possible product with the least impact on our planet.

Responsible wood sourcing – working together with FSC

We put responsible forest management at the core of our business. This means working to eliminate forest degradation and deforestation and to promote the importance of forest management beyond our own wood material needs. This is what we call being forest positive.

Forests house over two-thirds of known terrestrial species, and are home to 80% of terrestrial biodiversity. Our work with FSC contributes to protect ecosystems - and people’s livelihoods. The FSC certification also includes the social and economic well-being of workers and local communities who depend on the forest, as well as environmental and economic matters and decision making, in addition to covering logging practices.

Working together with WWF for responsibly managed forests

We also work with WWF and other partners to combat illegal logging and promote responsible and transparent timber trade. Beginning with five forest projects in seven countries in 2002, today, IKEA collaborates with 15 countries on a variety of projects. The aim is to support credible forest certification that benefits both people and the environment.

Read more about how IKEA and WWF together are contributing to responsible forest management .