Sustainability

Both Classic Oak Products and the TFF Group continue to strengthen our contributions to the reduction of our environmental impact. We encourage sustainable practices across all facets of operation, including forestry, stave mills, cooperages, logistics, and administration. Some practices are already in place while others are being introduced throughout the coming years.

We are committed to the ongoing improvement of our operations so we can continue to be one of Australia’s top oak suppliers.

The TFF Group’s environmental policy is based on three major principles:

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  1. Preserving the forest by using sustainably certified wood by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). 
  1. Preserving the environment at the cooperages through limiting packaging, circular economy, and waste recycling. 
  1. Promoting products, installations, or innovations that help limit environmental impacts.

We are committed to creating better conditions for future generations, by reducing carbon impact and deforestation.

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Limiting the impact on wood and raw materials.

The protection of oak forests is a priority. To meet this challenge, all stave mills are PEFC certified, and most of our French partners have obtained PEFC certification in their field of expertise.

PEFC certification identifies well-managed forests with an efficient and sustainable supply chain. This ensures waste materials are recycled and reused. This is more important than ever, with deforestation being the world’s second largest contributor to greenhouse gases and waste material from byproducts being on the rise. 

The TFF Group and Classic Oak Products will continue favoring the purchase of PEFC or FSC certified wood. In order to integrate them in the spirit of sustainable development, we encourage our suppliers to adhere to this commitment.

Limiting the carbon footprint

Travel and logistics also remain a point of emission that the TFF Group strives to reduce by rationalising logistics of product transport.

All emissions of greenhouse gases are calculated, voluntarily meeting the requirement of Decree No. 2011-829 on the greenhouse gas emission balance. This enables full measurement of the impact so reductive action can be taken. 

French cooperages and stave-milling sites have calculated their CO2 emissions with a specific measurement methodology, to validate the data of the cooperage federation. This method of calculation makes it possible to fully measure the exact amount of carbon produced per barrel, allowing for initiation of a targeted action plan. 

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Developing products or services to respond to climate change

The TFF Group is facing new challenges in relation to global warming, particularly with the increase in temperature which may lower crop yields in wine production. This may lead to an increase in the alcohol content of wine in certain regions. 

Our suppliers propose changes to winemakers to assist with overcoming this challenge. For example, recommendations are made for different toasting levels of the wine barrels, or changing the type of grain or container size.  

The DEMPTOS research center has developed the OH>15® technological barrel, which uses wood that is best for balancing high alcohol wines.

Various energy-reduction strategies have been implemented to curb the effects of climate and the world’s increasing carbon footprint:

  • Sustainably managed forests
  • Reduced water usage in forests (the TFF Group recycles the water used for watering its oak from a reservoir, which is also fed with rainwater)
  • Reducing carbon footprint across all cooperages and administration
  • Where possible, replacing equipment with more energy-efficient devices
  • Recycle and reuse 75.11% of the byproducts of production
  • Investment into the innovation of new, more environmentally friendly product development
  • Recycling of used barrels into other products (both wood and metal)
  • Oak waste management (such as sawdust, chips, and pieces of wood) and reuse as energy source for wood boilers for heating and braziers for charring barrels
  • Working towards becoming more carbon neutral by gradually replacing light fixtures to more efficient lighting
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A commitment from Classic Oak Products

Locally, the Classic Oak Products team has developed a sustainability road map. A Sustainability Committee has been nominated and tasked to foster eco-friendly policies within the organisation. These activities are promoted nationally for maximum engagement and impact. The Committee has already defined an immediate local action plan to reduce natural resource consumption and waste.

This Sustainability Plan will be shared with our community as the Committee prioritises and defines sustainability objectives and timelines for both short- and long-term goals. Our sustainability road map is as follows:

Environmental impacts

  • Minimise carbon footprint
  • Reduce packaging waste
  • Tracking and more sustainable supply chain management

Social impacts

  • Treating employees well in a supportive work culture
  • Engaging with the community
  • Promoting our sustainable practices

Economic impacts

  • Maintain compliance
  • Spending practices align with company’s values
  • Listen to employee feedback and suggestions

Our packaging sustainability journey

Through an independent audit by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), we are proud to have Classic Oak Products classified as ‘Leading’ by APCO in our performance towards our packaging sustainability journey. Together with APCO, we have committed additional actions across the organisation to improve our packaging sustainability, including a commitment to the 2025 National Packaging Targets.

Download the APCO Report

Overall, the Classic Oak Products team works together to develop a supportive working culture, recognising that with encouragement, support and collaboration. We can make a difference within our team, suppliers, and customers to bring positive change in all aspects of our industry.