Astarte Capital Partners LLP (“Astarte”), a real assets-focused investment firm, and SilviPar AB (“SilviPar”), a leading forestry development and management company headquartered in Stockholm, are pleased to announce the launch of the SA Impact Forestry Fund (“SAIFF” or the “Fund”), a new investment platform dedicated to sustainable forestry, with an immediate focus on Paraguay.
SAIFF combines Astarte’s proven experience in building and growing businesses across the spectrum of private markets, with SilviPar’s strong organisational and technical expertise, to develop and manage some of the world’s most efficient and sustainable forest assets globally. Astarte is providing seed capital to the Fund and will act as the investment advisor, responsible for fund operations and marketing. Meanwhile SilviPar is providing SAIFF’s seed assets and will manage the portfolio, with responsibility for the forestry strategy and day-to-day operations.
The Fund’s investment strategy is to acquire, develop and manage new and existing forest assets at scale. SAIFF will focus on acquiring low productivity farmland, suitable for forestation and with limited alternative uses, converting it into a sustainable, cost efficient forestry portfolio. The Fund is positioned to capitalise on strong macro-economic tailwinds, producing wood for the global fibre and pulp markets, and generating new credits for the carbon offset market.
SAIFF will also bring significant ESG benefits to the region. The Fund will contribute to carbon sequestration on a significant scale through the transformation of low-use land into forestry assets, in a country with one of the highest rates of deforestation globally. SAIFF’s commercial operations will also help to develop infrastructure and create employment in a region of Paraguay particularly in need. The Fund therefore has the ability to make a significant impact by helping to stimulate local economic activity, decrease the use of fossil-based products and the deforestation of natural rainforest, by providing more sustainable and bio-based alternatives.
With demand for natural fibre expected to increase globally, and in light of the major shift towards a net-zero emissions economy, forestry represents a crucial yet largely untapped asset class. The new joint investment platform by Astarte and SilviPar will provide investors with an institutional quality investment product, operated by a strong team experienced in building and managing sustainable forests.
Teresa Farmaki and Dr. Stavros Siokos, co-founders of Astarte Capital Partners, said:
“We are delighted to be partnering with SilviPar. The team has deep expertise in the forestry space and operations of the highest quality and standards. We are looking forward to working
with such an exceptional team, with whom we share the same vision and principles across all aspects of business and sustainability.”
Martin Forsen, CEO of SilviPar AB, commented:
“SilviPar is very pleased to enter into this partnership with Astarte. Together with Astarte’s impressive team and network, the new platform will allow SilviPar to apply its strong organisational expertise and know-how to help SAIFF reach its full potential.”
