The firm, part of the Map Merchant Group, was awarded chain of custody certification by independent verifier BM Trada.

"We wanted to enforce our leading position in the environmental product field," said Premier Paper chief executive Martyn Eustace (pictured).

He said the distributor was one of the first stockists to hold a comprehensive green range, which its new products will enhance.
These will include a range of FSC and recycled uncoated paper products under the Evolution banner.

The uncoated portfolio will comprise Evolution nature and Evolution bright, both of which have been manufactured using 30% FSC pulp.
A further addition will be Evolution text, a 100% recycled grade.

The Evolution coated range, produced by the Italian manufacturer Marchi Group, has also been awarded FSC status.

Premier Paper's existing green papers include products that are 100% recycled, part recycled, totally chlorine free (TCF) and elemental chlorine free (ECF).

These include brands such as Cypher, Distinction, Contemporary and Evolution.

Premier Paper became the first UK merchant to achieve environmental management standard ISO 14001 in 1997. It is one of few paper firms to have been awarded the standard on three consecutive assessments.

Story by Andy Scott