In South Tyrol, wood is more than just a raw material: it is an integral part of the region’s culture, history, and identity. For centuries, forests have been a vital resource not only for daily life, but also for environmental protection. Careful forest management has preserved over 50% of the territory as forested land, 58% of which serves a protective function against landslides and erosion.

Today, the wood sector is one of the pillars of South Tyrol's economy, with around 3,000 companies and 15,000 workers active along a supply chain that includes forest management, industrial processing, construction, furniture, and design. The annual value of the sector exceeds €1.3 billion, supported by a short supply chain that keeps every production phase within the province, ensuring sustainability and added value.

South Tyrol also stands out for its environmental commitment: over 317,000 hectares of forest are PEFC-certified, proof of responsible forest stewardship. To further strengthen the sector, the initiative Proramus was launched in 2015 to coordinate public bodies, companies, and artisans around the Holz Charta, promoting projects, training, and a modern wood culture.

“Through our programmatic document Holz Charta (Wood Charter), we bring together all the stakeholders in the supply chain, from the Provincial Forestry Corps to major companies, including local administrations, consortia of craftsmen and farmers, and district heating providers,” explains Michael Stauder, the initiative’s coordinator.

Among the most notable projects is Wood Passage, a traveling installation that highlights how quickly wood regenerates in nature. Equally impactful are the exhibitions held across South Tyrolean municipalities to raise awareness about the ecological benefits of wooden construction, which stores CO₂ and reduces the environmental footprint.

Wood also plays a key role in enhancing the South Tyrol Brand, which began as a tourism label and now represents local excellence. Ten wood sector companies (Aster, Barth Innenausbau, Gruber Türen, Intura, Karl Pedross, Ligna Construct, LignoAlp, Prast OHG, Rubner Türen, X Timber) have received brand certification, showcasing their commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability to strengthen their international competitiveness.

South Tyrol thus demonstrates how a natural resource can become a driver of economic growth, environmental protection, and territorial identity.