Teak is controversial - and not just since the latest findings on illegally imported "blood teak" from Myanmar. The yacht industry is increasingly turning away from the traditional but now outlawed teak from natural forests. We asked what the alternatives are.
Wolz Nautic builds decks for production boats and gigayachts. How much teak is processed per year?
We do not only process teak. We use a wide variety of materials depending on the project. The total quantity varies and is always heavily dependent on how many major projects we are involved in. We continue to supply teak decks to most mega yachts. In the series yacht segment, we already process over 100 cubic metres of certified plantation teak every year - with a strong upward trend. Other of our flagship projects explicitly use alternative materials made from wood: the four-masted barque "Peking" has a deck made from Oregon Pine, the balconies and roof terraces of the One Monte-Carlo are made from FSC Fineline teak, and the 183 metre long "REV Ocean" will have Tesumo decks and handrails.
For many end customers, there is no way around Burma teak. What are its impressive properties?
Teak from Myanmar is of the highest quality in the world. Due to the slow growth and advanced age of the trees from this region, the yield is much higher than teak from other countries, especially when end customers demand high quality. Apart from this, teak with its natural properties is perfect for planking a yacht. Only a few alternatives fulfil all the requirements for a deck.
The trade in teak from Myanmar is banned throughout Europe. When will Wolz's Burma teak warehouses be empty?
The quantity of Burma teak in stock can no longer be regarded as a decisive factor. For Wolz Nautic, teak from Myanmar is not a reliable solution for the future. It is much more important that alternatives are available in sufficient quantities and are used by customers. We are working hard on this and have significantly replenished our stocks with alternative materials so that shipyards can offer their customers high-quality decking. One challenge is the reorganisation of production processes.
There are fears that the illegal trade in Burma teak is still being used by the military junta in Myanmar as a means of obtaining foreign currency. How has Wolz Nautic ensured that it has acquired legal timber from there?
Wolz Nautic has always sourced its teak from Myanmar via European timber traders who have brought the wood into the EU in compliance with the EUTR. The dealers confirm EUTR conformity and are regularly inspected by the national inspection bodies. As Wolz Nautic requests corresponding proof from the dealers, it can be assumed that this wood comes from legal sources. We use up our legal residual stocks and then use alternative solutions such as Tesumo, certified plantation teak or plastic.
Is there no other country in the world with natural teak deposits?
Teak is one of the most widely harvested types of wood in the world. However, there is a difference between using it to make garden furniture and yacht decks. The quality requirements for the deck of a yacht are different. If you accept slightly shorter mouldings and do not require special widths or thicknesses, then you will also find solutions. However, the current stocks of suitable plantation teak from sustainable forestry are still very limited and, in our opinion, by no means cover the demand on the boat market. This is why the industry also needs to look at other solutions such as modified woods or fineline.
So plantation steak can be a real substitute.
Yes, but the challenge is to find the right plantation for each customer. Ultimately, the quality of the teak decking must match the overall requirements. Since mid-2022, we have been consistently using FSC-certified plantation teak for the teak decks we supply to several well-known major customers in the serial yacht building sector.
What other teak alternatives does Wolz Nautic offer?
We have been preparing intensively for the changeover for several years and have tested alternative solutions with our customers. Some have switched to our Wolzynteek plastic solution, which is significantly cooler than other plastic decks on the market. Other customers have opted for deck alternatives made from FSC fineline teak or fineline iroko. Tesumo is a new type of wood for the high-end megayacht segment and was installed on the first build of the Arksen 85 in autumn 2022. Further projects with Tesumo are in progress or in the pipeline, but are subject to the confidentiality guidelines of our customers.
In your opinion, which materials are most likely to be accepted by end customers?
In the high-end yacht segment from 60 feet upwards, a wooden deck is clearly required. Plastic decks are possible in the 60-foot and longer segments and are occasionally installed, but with a yacht value of several million euros, a plastic deck does not meet the requirements of many owners. In our opinion, various types of plastic such as PVC are not suitable for larger boats, as the expansion coefficient of PVC is so high under heat that the material stretches considerably. Wolz Nautic therefore opted for Sika Chemie's plastic solution from the Sikafloor Marine 595 line.
