As a major global producer of tissue products, we pay particular attention to our fiber procurement. We have policies and standards in place to promote a sustainable fiber supply chain.

We believe that sustainable virgin and recycled fiber can both be used responsibly in tissue products and provide the level of absorbency and softness that customers and consumers expect. We have conducted a scientific life-cycle assessment to compare the environmental impacts of K-C tissue products with varying levels of virgin and recycled fiber.
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Most Kimberly-Clark consumer products contain natural fibers derived from wood pulp. Soft and hardwood fibers and in many cases recycled fiber are blended to give the levels of softness, strength, and absorbency that consumers expect from tissues, diapers, feminine care and incontinence care products.

The wood pulp we use is mainly sourced from forests in the U.S., Canada and Brazil. We buy about 92 percent of our virgin fiber from external suppliers, and make the rest in our two pulp mills in Everett, Washington, U.S. and Tantanoola, Australia from wood chips bought from suppliers. We do not own, manage or harvest any forest land.

Sustainable forest management ensures the timber cut down does not exceed the rate at which the forest can regenerate. It is designed to protect whole forest ecosystems, including the trees, plant life, soil quality, wildlife and freshwater supply. By adhering to one of several recognized forestry certification programs, companies can demonstrate that their timber products are responsibly sourced from sustainably managed forests.

Our fiber procurement policy

We strive to maximize our use of environmentally responsible wood fiber consistent with product performance and competitive market conditions. Our long-term goal is to purchase 100 percent of virgin wood fiber from certified suppliers. The forest certification systems we currently recognize are:

• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). We give preference to FSC-certified wood fiber where it is available and meets product performance requirements and competitive market conditions
• Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI)
• Canadian Standards Association’s National Sustainable Forest Management Standards (CSA)
• Sistema Brasileiro de Certificação Florestal (CERFLOR) in Brazil
• Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC) in Europe

We will not knowingly use wood fiber from illegally harvested timber or forest areas requiring protection, such as primary tropical rainforests. For definitions of forest areas requiring protection and environmentally responsible fiber, please refer to the complete policy.