"The dense and heavy tropical hardwood is prized for its remarkable properties such as rot and salt resistance, as well as its beauty and as a symbol of status and prestige. The highest quality teak comes from old-growth trees, which are harvested from natural forests almost exclusively in Myanmar. But sold by the country's military-linked sector, with little regard for sustainability, the timber is illegal to import into the UK, EU and US."
"Alternatives to the wood in the yacht industry are gaining traction. They range from thermally-modified woods, to fully synthetic materials, to engineered teak laminates and while options have been around for years, recent innovations, say the companies and some users, are making them better."
Koru, delivered in 2023, uses teak for interior and decking. The highest-quality teak comes from old-growth trees harvested almost exclusively in Myanmar, and timber sold by Myanmar's military-linked sector is illegal to import into the UK, EU and US under sanctions and longstanding restrictions. German authorities are investigating whether the yacht's deck contains illegal Myanmar teak; Sunseeker and Oceanco have also faced penalties for using Myanmar teak. Myanmar teak still enters supply chains, often passed off as plantation timber. Alternatives gaining traction include thermally modified woods, fully synthetic materials, and engineered teak laminates, spurred by exhausted pre-sanctions stockpiles and enforcement.
Read at www.bbc.com
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