Pacific Green
Encyclopedia
Pacific Green Industries (Fiji) Limited (PGI, SPSE
) is a Fiji
an manufacturer of furniture and architectural products. It is most recognised for its Pacific Green brand furniture and its development of Palmwood, a sustainable substitute for tropical hardwood
. Pacific Green is distributed internationally.
. Although palms are extremely hard and durable, their unique properties made them difficult to work using conventional techniques. At Sigatoka
in the Fijian Islands, Pacific Green set up the world’s first factory dedicated to the research and development of coconut palms.
Palmwood was chosen as the sustainable exterior wood for Masdar
, the world's first 'eco-city' in Abu Dhabi, including gates, screens and doors.
and its majority owners are the Fijian people.
Manufacturing processes use no toxins or chemicals and by-products are reused. In 2001, Pacific Green addressed the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD) on the social responsibility of manufacturing companies. Pacific Green also advised the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
on its study on Coconut Palm Stems. From the mid-1990s to early-2000s, actor Pierce Brosnan
was the company's Environmental Spokesperson.
As a result, Pacific Green was invited to participate at the World Expo 2010
within the Pacific Pavilion.
Pacific Green unveiled the Indigenous Masterpieces concept at its debut in Milan's Salone del Mobile
in 2011.
South Pacific Stock Exchange
The South Pacific Stock Exchange is a stock exchange based in Suva, Fiji.On 1st July 2010, the SPSE launched an Electronic Trading Platform . The exchange now has different market phases which allow the brokers to perform various tasks throughout a business day...
) is a Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
an manufacturer of furniture and architectural products. It is most recognised for its Pacific Green brand furniture and its development of Palmwood, a sustainable substitute for tropical hardwood
Hardwood
Hardwood is wood from angiosperm trees . It may also be used for those trees themselves: these are usually broad-leaved; in temperate and boreal latitudes they are mostly deciduous, but in tropics and subtropics mostly evergreen.Hardwood contrasts with softwood...
. Pacific Green is distributed internationally.
History
Post & Rail Furniture opened in the 1970s in Sydney, Australia. In the late 1980s, the company rebranded as Pacific Green with a purpose of creating a viable substitute for tropical hardwoods by recycling plantation coconut palmsCoconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
. Although palms are extremely hard and durable, their unique properties made them difficult to work using conventional techniques. At Sigatoka
Sigatoka
For the banana disease, see Black sigatoka.Sigatoka is a town in Fiji. It is found on the island of Viti Levu and is situated at the mouth of the Sigatoka River, after which it is named, some 69 kilometers from Nadi. In Fiji's last census the population of Sigatoka was at 9622...
in the Fijian Islands, Pacific Green set up the world’s first factory dedicated to the research and development of coconut palms.
Palmwood was chosen as the sustainable exterior wood for Masdar
Masdar City
Masdar is a project in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. Its core is a planned city, which is being built by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, a subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company, with the majority of seed capital provided by the government of Abu Dhabi...
, the world's first 'eco-city' in Abu Dhabi, including gates, screens and doors.
Development of hardwood substitutes
Palmwood was the name Pacific Green gave to the finished ‘hardwood’ material it developed. Process breakthroughs had created a durable consumer-oriented product that was suitable in a variety of climates and resilient to wood-boring insects. Palmwood is an ecologically-sustainable timber alternative.Indigenous design
The designs of the furniture - by Bruce Dowse and his Australian design team - are inspired by the artefacts and tools of traditional societies, using natural materials sourced from around the World. Each piece is handcrafted by artisans using traditional techniques and is designed to give a sense of its global ethnic origins.Socially-responsible manufacturing
Pacific Green pioneered the creation of a socially-responsible industry for the Pacific region. By recycling unproductive coconut palms, old plantation land was returned to the local villages to replant with young fruit-bearing palms and other cash crops. The factory was built in consultation with the surrounding villages, and the land used was leased from the villagers to respect local ownership. Pacific Green Industries (Fiji) Limited is listed on the South Pacific Stock ExchangeSouth Pacific Stock Exchange
The South Pacific Stock Exchange is a stock exchange based in Suva, Fiji.On 1st July 2010, the SPSE launched an Electronic Trading Platform . The exchange now has different market phases which allow the brokers to perform various tasks throughout a business day...
and its majority owners are the Fijian people.
Manufacturing processes use no toxins or chemicals and by-products are reused. In 2001, Pacific Green addressed the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development was established in 1964 as a permanent intergovernmental body. It is the principal organ of the United Nations General Assembly dealing with trade, investment, and development issues....
(UNCTAD) on the social responsibility of manufacturing companies. Pacific Green also advised the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and...
on its study on Coconut Palm Stems. From the mid-1990s to early-2000s, actor Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brendan Brosnan, OBE is an Irish actor, film producer and environmentalist. After leaving school at 16, Brosnan began training in commercial illustration, but trained at the Drama Centre in London for three years...
was the company's Environmental Spokesperson.
As a result, Pacific Green was invited to participate at the World Expo 2010
Expo 2010
Expo 2010, officially Expo 2010 Shanghai China was held on both banks of the Huangpu River in the city of Shanghai, China, from May 1 to October 31, 2010. It was a major World Expo in the tradition of international fairs and expositions, the first since 1992...
within the Pacific Pavilion.
Pacific Green unveiled the Indigenous Masterpieces concept at its debut in Milan's Salone del Mobile
Salone del Mobile
The Milan Furniture Fair is a furniture fair held annually in Milan. It is the largest trade fair of its kind in the world. The show showcases the latest in furniture and design from countries around the world....
in 2011.