At Kaltimber, our mission is simple: give new life to old wood, and do it without cutting down a single tree. Every plank we offer comes from structures genuinely slated for demolition—not from forests, but from the past.
That’s why we support the growing call across Europe to uphold the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)—a landmark law designed to help end global deforestation by making sure that products sold in the EU, including timber, are legally sourced and free from recent forest destruction.
But this vital regulation is now at risk. Some EU policymakers are pushing to weaken key requirements, proposing loopholes that would allow goods from “low-risk” countries to bypass basic due diligence. This would make it easier for unsustainable and potentially illegal timber to enter the market—undermining both the environment and the businesses that work hard to do things right.
Why This Matters for Kalimantan
Here in Indonesia, and especially in Kalimantan, we’ve seen the stakes firsthand. Kalimantan is home to one of the world’s last great tropical forests—rich in biodiversity and deeply intertwined with Indigenous cultures. But it's also one of the regions hardest hit by illegal logging, forest clearance, and extractive industries. As a result, Indonesia has big concerns over that regulation.
For decades, the damage was severe. But in recent years, systems like Indonesia’s SVLK (Timber Legality Assurance System), developed in partnership with the EU through the FLEGT initiative, have helped restore a degree of transparency and control. The result? Trust. Indonesia became a recognized exporter of legal timber, and Kalimantan’s resources were given a clearer path toward protection.
At Kaltimber, our reclaimed ironwood comes from disused structures in Kalimantan—not from active forests. We see the immense value of wood that has already served its purpose, and we believe in giving it a second life without adding pressure to ecosystems already under threat.
What the EUDR Represents
The EUDR builds on that kind of progress. It doesn’t just protect forests; it protects the trust of global consumers, the credibility of legal producers, and the future of smallholder communities. It requires transparency—not perfection, but a clear traceability of origin, proof of legality, and respect for the rights of local people.
If the EU allows shortcuts under the banner of “low-risk,” it risks letting the very problems the law was designed to solve creep back in through the side door.
What Needs to Happen
Instead of weakening the EUDR, we believe the focus should shift to supporting implementation:
Help producers navigate the system
Invest in digital tools and capacity-building
Build on models like FLEGT that have already shown success
Listen to civil society—both in Europe and in countries like Indonesia
More than 50 organizations in Indonesia have already raised their voices in defense of SVLK and legal timber exports. Now, it's time for the EU to do the same—to uphold the EUDR and stand by the communities and businesses that have worked for years to build something better.
Our Commitment
At Kaltimber, we will continue working with 100% reclaimed wood—especially ironwood salvaged from Kalimantan’s decommissioned buildings. We will continue honoring the story behind every piece we reclaim. And we will continue standing for a future where forests are protected, not exploited.
Because real sustainability isn’t just a tagline. It’s a responsibility—and it’s one we take seriously.