UPM-Biofore-Magazine-1-2016-EN

New demand drivers There is growing demand for products manufactured from biomaterials thanks to changing consumer preferences and efforts in various industries to reduce dependency on fossil-based products. Food industry titans are increasingly using bioplastics for packaging, and even car manufacturers are adopting more andmore renewable and recyclable materials. “This makes an excellent foundation for UPM’s short-term growth. The demand for products made from renewable materials just keeps on expanding,” Ilvespää explains.

UPM is conducting field tests of its novel wood-based diesel fuel in urban buses together with Helsinki Regional Transport (HSL) and the Technical Research Centre (VTT). A Helsinki city bus in its signature shade of blue cruises comfortably down Mannerheim Street, the ‘main drag’ in the Finnish capital. Cleaner city traffic with wood- based diesel

Heikki Ilvespää

“We have made systematic progress in this sector, and we have already launched our first biochemical products such as GrowDex and BioPiva on the market.” – Heikki Ilvespää

Core of the circular economy Ilvespää believes that

companies like UPMwill play a significant role in the evolving economy based on renewable products and recycling.

“Our essential strength lies in growing and sourcing renewable biomaterials in a sustainable manner, but our core competencies extend all the way to processing rawmaterials.” “We strive to use as little rawmaterial and energy as possible, and we even utilise by-products and residues in our products. This model is ideal for the fast-growing bioeconomy and circular economy, which entails efficient utilisation of scarce resources.” High-level functionality Competitive pricing is crucial for renewable products such as biochemicals and biofuels, although environmental aspects are also becoming increasingly important as a selling point. “Biochemical-based products have a smaller carbon footprint, so it’s important to start adopting sustainable solutions in the chemical industry as well. However, we need to carefully consider howmuch further the products should be processed in order to maximise the benefits,” notes Ilvespää. “The closer we get to consumer goods, the higher the level of functionality required of the biomaterials. In addition to being environmentally friendly, the products should also perform better than fossil-based competitors to get the supply chain flowing smoothly.”

When it reaches the corner of the Helsinki Music Centre, it turns right and parks in front of UPM’s Biofore House. Both sides of the bus sport green UPMBioVerno tapes indicating that the vehicle is fuelled with renewable wood-based diesel and generates fewer hazardous emissions. Its tour around the city marks the launch of bus field tests that will run for at least a year. The tests will evaluate the performance of UPM’s renewable diesel in terms of its fuel functionality in bus engines. Its emissions and fuel consumption will be compared to those of fossil diesel.

18 | BIOFORE