MEET YOUR CERTIFIED SUPPLIER: NEW AGE VENEERS (NAV)
NAVURBAN veneer in Sherwood creates a warmly dramatic interior in this residential build by Orr Made.
Photo: Lillie Thompson, courtesy NAV
Responsible Wood’s Matt de Jongh with New Age Veneers team members Amarni Story and Joanna Hanby.
Byron blackbutt veneer creates a naturally warm interior at Nepenthe Winery in the Adelaide Hills.
MAIN PIC: The same veneer is repeated in the ceiling of the winery’s Barrel Room, echoing the French oak barrels below. Photos: Kelsey Zafiridis Photography, courtesy NAV
In this occasional series, Responsible Wood visits another of its certified suppliers.
By Matt de Jongh
At Responsible Wood, our mission is to develop and promote globally recognised standards for sustainable forest management and responsible sourcing of forest products through independent, third-party certification. Recently, I visited New Age Veneers (NAV) at its Sydney site to catch-up with its team and see first-hand their approach to sustainability.
New Age Veneers (NAV) is a leader in the interior surfaces industry, delivering designer surfaces crafted from premium materials for both commercial and residential projects. Australian-owned and -operated since 1962, NAV has a longstanding commitment to innovating the way Australians design functional and beautiful spaces in the workplace, community, and home.
Under CEO Kevin Kelly, whose passion for timber veneers has driven the company’s success, NAV has transitioned from traditional veneer manufacturing methods to technologically advanced, pre-finished wood grain effect veneers. This evolution has allowed NAV to offer products that combine durability, longevity, and design flexibility, all while maintaining the tactile beauty of real timber.
Environmental responsibility is at the core of NAV’s operations. The company has always sourced its raw timber materials from sustainably managed forests, a practice that reflects its deep commitment to environmental stewardship. NAV’s expertise lies in engineering real timber into cutting-edge veneer products that not only meet high aesthetic standards but also adhere to stringent sustainability criteria.
NAV has achieved GreenTagCert™ certification for its NAVURBAN™, NAVURBAN™ Laminate, NAVURBAN Diamond™, NAVURBAN Diamond™ Laminate, NAVURBAN Elements™, and Navcompact™ ranges. These certifications contribute to Green Star Credits, offering clients the added satisfaction and peace of mind that these products also meet the newly launched Product Health Declaration (PHD) standards from Global GreenTag.
Kevin Kelly emphasises the company’s dedication to sustainability, saying: “Our mission is to lead the industry in developing surfaces that not only meet but exceed the highest environmental standards. We are committed to continuous innovation in our product ranges to achieve sustainable gains.”
THE ROLE OF CERTIFICATION
Responsible Wood, as Australia’s national governing body for PEFC International, plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable forest management through certification. NAV’s products are PEFC and Responsible Wood chain of custody certified, with trademark licence codes PEFC/21-31-251 and RW/1-31-251, ensuring that their timber products are sourced from responsibly managed forests. This certification supports NAV’s commitment to maintaining a chain of custody system that complies with the PEFC and Responsible Wood CoC Standards (PEFC ST 2002:2020 and AS-NZS 4707:2021).
By using PEFC and Responsible Wood certified products, NAV not only supports green building initiatives but also provides assurance to their clients that their products contribute to achieving Green Star® points. These certifications underscore NAV’s dedication to producing environmentally responsible products that meet the highest standards of sustainability.
Kelly said, “We strive to be ahead of the curve in premium surface engineering and design. Our partnership with Responsible Wood enhances our ability to offer products that are both cutting-edge and sustainable, aligning with the growing global awareness of the impact building materials have on our environment.”
Certification systems like Responsible Wood and PEFC provide consumers with the confidence that the products they choose are sourced responsibly. NAV’s adherence to these standards ensures that its customers have access to surfaces that contribute to sustainable building practices, supporting broader environmental conservation efforts and promoting safe and fair working environments.
The visit to NAV also strengthened the partnership between Responsible Wood and its certificate holders. By working closely with certified organisations, we can further promote the adoption of sustainable sourcing practices and deliver relevant certification standards across the region. This collaboration is vital in driving positive change and ensuring that all stakeholders, from forest managers to consumers, benefit from sustainable forestry.
As an Australian not-for-profit organisation accredited to develop standards by Standards Australia, Responsible Wood manages the PEFC certification standards and brand in Australia and New Zealand. Our standards are developed in line with international best practices, ensuring that certified products meet the highest levels of sustainability. Through third-party certification, the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme offers credible assurance that forest products are sourced responsibly, supporting environmental conservation and the principles of sustainable development.
New Age Veneers exemplifies the successful integration of innovation and sustainability in the interior surfaces industry. Through its partnership with Responsible Wood and adherence to global standards, NAV sets a benchmark for environmental responsibility, ensuring that its products are recognised as some of the most sustainable in Australia. As Kelly said, “At NAV, we wholeheartedly welcome the growing awareness of the impact building materials have on our environment.”
For more information about New Age Veneers and their environmental practices, visit their website at www.newageveneers.com.au
