THE BROKOPONDO RESERVOIR
Suriname is located in South America and consists out of more than 90 % of forestry.
The Brokopondo Reservoir
This reservoir,with a surface area of more than 1500 km2 is one of the largest reservoirs in the world, flooding nearly 1% of the country. It was created in 1964 after the containment of the Suriname River with the aim of a water reservoir feeding the hydro-electric plant for the alumina industry.
As a cost reducing measurement, the trees in the area were not cut.
Because the lake flooded over a very short amount of time, the trees were preserved in a very good condition. Now almost five decades later, the wood is still in great condition and is the footing of the amazing product: Lakewood.
From this lake hardwood of unparalleled quality is harvested, without any harmful interference to the flora and fauna. This great quality makes for wood that's perfect for terrace boards.
With all the qualities that you rightly expect: natural, long lasting and easy to maintain.
Brokopondo Lake Wood N.V. is the only company with exclusive rights to harvest wood in the lake, and has been exporting to various continents.
LAKE LOCATION
ABOUT US
Brokopondo Lake Wood International N.V. is a wood export company that is focused on exploitation and export of wood in the Prof. Dr. Ir. W. J. van Blommenstein lake.
Research revealed that this lake consists over more than 58 wood species. Given the high quality of the wood species, they are sawn and exported various continents, from North America to Asia.
The operation process regarding the exploitation of the wood in the lake starts
with divers who go underwater to crosscut the logs from below the surface.
Afterwards the best logs are handpicked and sent for processing into final product for export.
The operational process regarding the underwater logging of Brokopondo Lake Wood International N.V. can be deemed as highly eco-friendly.
The vision of Brokopondo Lake Wood International N.V. regarding the future is one where the company strives to optimize the export level and/ or optimizing the operational process of the logs to final product, for example the further processing of furniture.
Brokopondo Lake Wood International N.V. strives to achieve an eco-friendly and consumer friendly reputation on a nationwide level as well on international level.
Social Responsibility
Our company’s social responsibility falls under two categories: compliance and pro activeness. Compliance refers to our company’s commitment to legality and willingness to observe community values. Pro activeness is every initiative to promote human rights, help the surrounding communities and protect our natural environment.
Our company may preserve a budget to make monetary donations.
These donations will aim to:
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Advance the arts, education and community events.
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Alleviate those in need.
THE SUNKEN FOREST
THE SUNKEN FOREST
The Brokopondo Reservoir with its over 1,500 km2 area is approximately five times the size of Amsterdam. The lake has an amazing and speciale feature, a sunken treasure hidden under the surface. When the lake was formed by the construction of a dam between 1960 and 1964, the forest trees remained in the flooding zone. The amount of wood, which is currently still under water, has been in the lake for 50 years and is also sufficient for a constant harvest of a minimum of 50 years. The surprising thing: Although the trees have died near to five decades ago, their quality is exceptionally high as the fresh water has preserved them perfectly. They are highly resistant to rotting, bending and cracking and are therefore particularly suitable for outdoor use but unique enough for indoor use as well.
HARVESTING OF TREES
Lake wood, because of the preservation under water, has shown to be extremely durable, and offers assurance of superior quality wood. For wood to decay it needs exposure to water (moisture) and oxygen. If one of these is absent then it doesn't decay .e.g. in the case of underwater wood there is little to no oxygen so it stays preserved.
Underwater logging is the process of logging trees from underwater forests.
This preservation makes the saps in the wood minuscule, creating a density and texture that makes the drying process of the wood remarkably short. Having a decreased period span for the drying period can mean two things for the end product supplier: less costs and faster delivery time.
The wood can create diverse coloration after the drying process. The species harvested in the Amazon are quite popular nowadays, especially in Eastern countries such as India and China. The European market, is catching up and are creating amazing end products. Some of the more popular species are Angelim, DjindjaUdu (very similar to teak), Greenheart (Ipe), Purperheart and Tatabu.
The European market has taken a liking to Walaba, which gives a silvery grey color after drying. Remarkable for outdoor flooring.
The species found in the lake are workable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Cutting logs in an underwater forest demands an incredibly skilled and experienced diving team. Brokopondo Lake Wood N.V. has three diving teams.
Our harvesting process does not harm the environment.
Our company also holds a high standard for our social responsibility, the Brokopondo Lake Wood N.V. teams consists out of international professionals and provide employment opportunities to locals as well.
SAWMILL SECTION
In the sawmill the logs can be sawn in standard measurements or customized.
The sawmill operates with the mission to secure deadlines and agreements.
The production is managed with the flexibility and drive to accommodate the demands and desires of the customers and exported through shipment to various ports of different countries in nearly all continents.
The production process regarding sawn wood is diversified, because the company feels that through a diversified production process it can broaden its scope around the world.
