Sustainable reclaimed hardwood from Brokopondo lake in Suriname

CIRA your partner for tropical hard wood.

This story began with the formation of the Brokopondo Lake, a result of the construction of the Afobaka Hydro Dam in 1961.

This development resulted in a significant flood plain and submerged a vast swath of tropical forest.

The flooding of this landmass resulted in the submersion of around 50 million cubic meters of precious tropical hardwood trees.

Brokopondo Lake spans an impressive area of approx. 150,000 hectares and contains a plethora of reclaimable hardwood species.

The lake’s freshwater environment contributes to the preservation of submerged logs, and the wood obtained from these reclaimed logs exhibits exceptional durability.

Today we take great pride in being the exclusive custodians of this unique natural resource, offering a treasure trove of reclaimable wood.

In 2004, the operation began, marking the commencement of log reclamation from the lake. BWWI achieved a significant milestone in 2005 when it exported its first batch of reclaimed timber to the United States.

At a glance:

3 x Sawing lines with a capacity of 2000 m³ per month. 3 x drying cells with acapacity of 2880 m³ per year.
9600 m3 annual output of reclaimed timber.
100 employees.
We have established a meticulous and low impact harvesting operation that is widely recognised as one of the most ecologically conscious timber reclamation processes worldwide.
We adhere strictly to the best industry practices in managing and operating our concession.
Our primary objective is to maximise our reclamation efforts while minimising any adverse effects on the surrounding environment.
Our highly skilled team of divers undertakes the task of carefully exploring the depths of Brokopondo Lake to select and reclaim the finest logs. These logs are then processed in our state-of-the-art primary and secondary processing facilities located in Suriname and the UAE. Through advanced techniques, we transform them into an array of value-added forest products, including decking, cladding, laminated scantlings, and other high-performance timber products that are distributed globally.

Primary timber species:

Andira, Angelim Pedra, Angelique, Cumaru, Ipe, Jatoba, Marblewood, Mirindiba, Purpleheart, Tatabu, Tatajuba & Wallaba