Expansion of global industrial forest plantations, i.e. intensively managed productive plantations is evident due to the prevailing demand and supply drivers. Forest plantations alone will not be sufficient for meeting the growing industrial roundwood demand. Natural and semi-natural forests in boreal and temperate zones will maintain their important role as the raw material source. The supply from these forests, however, is not likely to increase from the current level due to the constraints related to logistics, profitability and ownership structure. Moreover, sustainable management of tropical natural forests will not result in any increase of roundwood supply. Therefore, developing the global industrial forest plantations sustainably will be crucial to meeting increasing wood demand in the long term. Sustainable development of plantations is likely to face a number of economic, environmental and social challenges, and requires strong measures from the key stakeholders such as governments, strategic and financial investors.