Discover the global journey of IKEA wood from forest to flat-pack
Walk through any IKEA store and you’ll encounter an astonishing variety of wooden products—from Billy bookcases to Malm beds, dining tables to children’s toys. With the company using approximately 1% of the world’s commercial wood supply, many conscious consumers find themselves asking: Where does IKEA get all this wood, and how sustainable are their sourcing practices? This comprehensive investigation traces IKEA’s global wood supply chain, examines their sustainability commitments, and reveals how the furniture giant balances scale with environmental responsibility.
Key Takeaways:
- ✓
IKEA sources wood from over 50 countries, with top suppliers in Poland, Sweden, Lithuania, Germany, and Russia - ✓
97.5% of IKEA wood came from sustainably managed forests or recycled sources in 2022 - ✓
Pine, birch, and beech are the most commonly used wood types in IKEA furniture - ✓
IKEA aims to become “forest positive” by 2030, regenerating more than it consumes - ✓
The company faces ongoing challenges with traceability and controversial sourcing regions
The Global Scale of IKEA’s Wood Consumption
IKEA is the largest furniture retailer in the world, and its appetite for wood is equally massive. The company uses approximately 21 million cubic meters of roundwood equivalents annually—enough to fill 8,400 Olympic-sized swimming pools. To understand where IKEA gets its wood, we must first appreciate the sheer volume required to stock 445 stores across 54 countries.
IKEA’s wood sourcing strategy is fundamentally global. The company purchases from over 50 countries, with Europe accounting for the majority (80-85%) of its supply. This global approach allows IKEA to leverage different wood species, reduce transportation costs by sourcing regionally, and mitigate risks associated with localized disruptions like pests, fires, or logging restrictions.
The company’s top five wood sourcing countries in 2022 were:
- Poland (16%)
- Sweden (11%)
- Lithuania (8%)
- Germany (7%)
- Russia (6%) – though this has decreased significantly since 2022
This diversified approach to sourcing helps explain how IKEA maintains consistent product availability despite global supply chain challenges. However, it also creates complex logistical and sustainability monitoring challenges that the company must constantly address.
IKEA’s Wood Sourcing Policy and Sustainability Framework
IKEA’s approach to wood sourcing is governed by its IWAY Forestry Standard, which sets strict requirements for all wood suppliers. This standard prohibits the use of wood from forest areas that are illegal or contain high conservation values, and from forest areas involved in social conflicts. The policy applies to all wood entering IKEA products, regardless of origin.
The company’s sustainability efforts are built on four pillars:
Responsible Forest Management
IKEA requires all wood suppliers to comply with its forestry standard, which often exceeds local legal requirements. The company prioritizes wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or equivalent standards. As of 2022, 97.5% of IKEA wood came from recycled sources or forests certified as responsibly managed by FSC or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) standards.
Forest Positive Agenda
Beyond responsible sourcing, IKEA has committed to becoming “forest positive” by 2030. This means promoting practices that protect biodiversity, support forest regeneration, and benefit communities that depend on forests. The initiative includes projects to protect natural forests, restore degraded landscapes, and promote sustainable forest management beyond IKEA’s own supply chain.
Circular Design Principles
IKEA designs products for disassembly, repair, reuse, and recycling. The company increasingly uses engineered wood products like particleboard and fiberboard that can incorporate waste wood and recycled content. This approach reduces pressure on virgin forests and maximizes material efficiency.
Transparency and Traceability
IKEA has invested significantly in supply chain mapping technology to track wood back to its origin. While complete traceability remains challenging, the company can now identify the source of approximately 85% of its wood, up from just 50% a decade ago.
Primary Wood Sources and Species
IKEA uses a variety of wood species in its products, selected for their availability, sustainability credentials, and performance characteristics. The company’s most commonly used woods include:
Softwoods
Softwoods account for approximately 60% of IKEA’s wood usage. These fast-growing species are particularly important for the company’s high-volume products:
- Pine: Sourced primarily from Sweden, Poland, and the Baltic states. Used in everything from furniture frames to shelving.
- Spruce: Comes from similar regions as pine. Valued for its light color and straight grain.
- Birch: A hardwood that behaves like a softwood in terms of growth rate. Russia was a major source before 2022.
Hardwoods
Hardwoods provide durability and aesthetic appeal for furniture surfaces and higher-end products:
- Beech: Sourced from Germany and other central European countries. Used for chairs and bentwood products.
- Oak: Primarily from the United States and Europe. Used in premium product lines.
- Acacia: Fast-growing species from plantations in Asia. Used for outdoor furniture.
Engineered Wood Products
Approximately 60% of IKEA’s wood-based materials are engineered wood products:
- Particleboard: Made from wood chips and residues. Used for furniture cores.
- Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF): Provides a smooth surface for painting and laminating.
- Plywood: Used where strength and stability are required.
These engineered products allow IKEA to use wood waste and smaller trees that might otherwise go unused, improving overall material efficiency.
Controversies and Challenges in IKEA’s Wood Supply Chain
Despite IKEA’s sustainability commitments, the company has faced criticism and challenges regarding its wood sourcing practices. These controversies highlight the difficulties of maintaining ethical supply chains at IKEA’s scale.
Sourcing from Old-Growth and Protected Forests
In 2020, an investigation revealed that IKEA suppliers had harvested wood from old-growth forests in the Russian Karelia region, including areas with trees over 200 years old. While these activities were technically legal, they contradicted IKEA’s sustainability commitments. The company responded by strengthening its due diligence processes and increasing satellite monitoring of logging areas.
Romanian Carpathian Mountains Deforestation
IKEA has faced ongoing criticism regarding wood sourcing from Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, one of Europe’s last great wilderness areas. Environmental groups have documented illegal logging in national parks and protected areas, with some wood potentially entering IKEA’s supply chain. The company has worked with local authorities and NGOs to improve monitoring but acknowledges the challenges of completely eliminating questionable sources.
Traceability Gaps in Complex Supply Chains
Despite technological improvements, full traceability remains elusive, particularly in regions with complex ownership structures and multiple intermediaries. IKEA acknowledges that about 15% of its wood still cannot be traced back to specific harvest locations, though this represents significant progress from previous years.
These challenges demonstrate the tension between IKEA’s ambitious sustainability goals and the practical realities of global sourcing at an enormous scale. The company continues to invest in technology and partnerships to address these issues.
IKEA’s Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Wood Sourcing
Beyond compliance and certification, IKEA has developed several innovative approaches to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainable forestry practices.
Alternative Materials Development
IKEA is investing in alternative materials that can reduce pressure on forests. These include:
- Bamboo: A fast-growing grass that can be used similarly to wood in many applications.
- Rattan: Sourced from sustainable plantations in Southeast Asia.
- Recycled plastic wood composites: Used for outdoor furniture and decking.
- Agricultural waste products: Including straw-based board materials.
Reforestation and Landscape Restoration
Through its parent company Ingka Group, IKEA has invested in large-scale forest acquisitions not for timber production but for conservation and carbon sequestration. The company owns approximately 136,000 hectares of forest in the United States and Europe, managed for biodiversity, recreation, and sustainable harvesting.
IKEA also supports landscape restoration projects through partnerships with organizations like The Forest Carbon Partnership and the World Resources Institute. These initiatives aim to restore degraded forests, protect watersheds, and support rural communities.
Technology-Enabled Monitoring
IKEA has developed sophisticated monitoring systems to track its wood supply chain:
- Satellite imaging: To detect illegal logging and deforestation in sourcing regions.
- Blockchain technology: Pilot programs to create tamper-proof records of wood origin.
- DNA testing: Used in high-risk areas to verify species and origin claims.
- Supplier assessment platforms: Digital tools to evaluate and monitor supplier compliance.
These technologies help IKEA identify and address problems in its supply chain more quickly and effectively than was possible just a few years ago.
The Future of IKEA’s Wood Sourcing
As IKEA looks toward 2030 and beyond, several trends and initiatives will shape its approach to wood sourcing:
Circular Economy Transition
IKEA is moving toward a circular business model that designs products for disassembly, repair, reuse, and recycling. This includes:
- Expanding furniture take-back and resale programs
- Developing new recycling technologies for wood-based materials
- Creating products with higher recycled content
- Designing modular furniture that can be easily repaired or upgraded
Climate Change Mitigation
Forests play a crucial role in climate change mitigation, and IKEA is increasingly focusing on the carbon footprint of its wood products. Initiatives include:
- Prioritizing wood from forests managed for carbon sequestration
- Investing in agroforestry and sustainable plantation projects
- Developing carbon storage labeling for products
- Reducing the carbon footprint of transportation and processing
Enhanced Transparency
Consumer demand for supply chain transparency continues to grow. IKEA is responding by:
- Developing product traceability systems that customers can access
- Increasing disclosure of sourcing regions and sustainability performance
- Engaging third-party auditors to verify sustainability claims
- Participating in multi-stakeholder initiatives like the Forests for Future program
These initiatives represent IKEA’s ongoing effort to balance its enormous material needs with environmental responsibility and social impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IKEA use wood from rainforests?
IKEA states that it does not source wood from tropical rainforests except in very specific circumstances where the wood comes from certified sustainable plantations. The company has a policy against using wood from intact natural forests designated for conservation. However, monitoring these policies across all sourcing regions remains challenging, and there have been instances where wood from questionable sources entered IKEA’s supply chain.
How can I tell if my IKEA furniture is made from sustainable wood?
Look for FSC or PEFC certification labels on the product or packaging. These indicate the wood comes from responsibly managed forests. Approximately 97.5% of IKEA wood products meet these standards. You can also check IKEA’s sustainability reports for detailed information about their wood sourcing. For specific products, IKEA customer service can sometimes provide information about wood origin upon request.
What is IKEA doing to prevent deforestation in its supply chain?
IKEA employs several strategies to prevent deforestation: requiring FSC or equivalent certification for most wood, using satellite monitoring to detect illegal logging, conducting regular supplier audits, and investing in landscape restoration projects. The company also uses engineered wood products that incorporate recycled content, reducing demand for virgin wood. Despite these efforts, complete elimination of deforestation from complex global supply chains remains challenging.
Why does IKEA use particleboard instead of solid wood?
IKEA uses particleboard and other engineered wood products for several reasons: they allow utilization of wood waste and smaller trees that might otherwise go unused, they provide consistent quality and stability, they’re more affordable than solid wood, and they can be produced with specific performance characteristics. Engineered woods also typically have a lower carbon footprint per unit than solid wood, as they make more efficient use of forest resources.
Has IKEA completely stopped sourcing wood from Russia?
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, IKEA dramatically reduced its wood sourcing from Russia. Before the conflict, Russia supplied about 6% of IKEA’s wood, primarily birch for products like the Billy bookcase. The company has stated it will not resume sourcing from Russia until “it is possible to secure wood in line with IKEA’s forestry standard,” which seems unlikely in the near future. IKEA has shifted sourcing to other regions, primarily in Europe.
Final Thoughts
IKEA’s wood sourcing represents a complex balancing act between massive scale and environmental responsibility. While the company has made significant progress in sustainable forestry practices and transparency, challenges remain in monitoring global supply chains and eliminating controversial sources entirely.
As consumers become increasingly concerned about the origins of products they bring into their homes, IKEA’s continued investment in certification, technology, and circular design will be crucial to maintaining trust and leadership in sustainable furniture. The company’s ambitious 2030 goals for becoming “forest positive” represent a welcome commitment to giving back more to forests than it takes, potentially setting a new standard for the entire industry.
