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CoreLite (Miami, Fla., U.S.), a global manufacturer of advanced balsa and foam core materials for high-performance composite applications, has signed a long-term balsa wood plantation cooperation agreement with the local government of Los Rios Province in Ecuador during a public ceremony on Dec. 2. This agreement entails the planting and harvesting of balsa wood plantations throughout Los Rios Province over a five-year period with a target number of 2,500 hectares. The main drive of this agreement is to bring technological development and the creation of new jobs in Ecuador. Moreover, there is also the opportunity to restore the province’s natural ecosystem, balsa wood being an endemic wood species in that region.

“This agreement will create several life-changing income opportunities for the local communities in Los Rios Province with a completely sustainable product that is commonly used in wind energy applications” says Mr. Johnny Teran Salcedo, prefect of Los Rios Province, Ecuador.

This private-public partnership will also ensure the ample availability of a sustainably and legally sourced raw material for the production of balsa wood panels that CoreLite manufactures and distributes worldwide.

“This is part of CoreLite’s global sustainability initiative to promote responsible forestry, reduce the carbon footprint, while at the same time ensuring future availability of raw material,” adds Mr. Paul Lewis, managing director at CoreLite.