UPM Biofore Magazine 1-2019

TEXT Matti Remes   PHOTOGRAPHY UPM

Facts on the table First-generation biofuels are produced using rawmaterials associated with food production, such as corn and oil crops. From a sustainability perspective, Frankl argues that advanced biofuels produced fromwaste, residues and side- streams from different types of forestry and agriculture offer the advantage of avoiding competition with food crops and generally providing deeper greenhouse gas emission reductions. “Wood-based rawmaterials are highly important,” Frankl states. For biofuel production to increase, Frankl advocates the need for more investment, technology development and commercialisation of innovations. Furthermore, he calls for efficient market mechanisms and removal of unnecessary obstacles to market entry. “The right kind of policies and government regulations are needed for sustainable biofuel usage to increase.” The promotion of sustainable biofuels for low-emission transport has been on the EU agenda for a long time. Biofuels must additionally meet strict sustainability criteria to avert adverse environmental impacts resulting from biofuel production. The IEA carefully scrutinises the environmental and other potential impacts that biofuels have during their lifecycle to ensure that their development keeps moving in the right direction. “We are certain that sustainable biofuels can be produced using several different technologies and feedstocks,” he asserts. It is unfortunate that the biofuel debate seems to be polarised, particularly in Europe. Outdated and mistaken conceptions are still prevalent, notes Frankl. A common misconception is that biofuels can only be made from food-based rawmaterials. “It’s important to stay focused on the facts,” Frankl concludes. 

Reducing transport emissions is crucial for mitigating climate change. Various tools are needed in this mission, including new technologies, low-emission engines, electric cars and new forms of propulsion. Transitioning to renewable diesel is one of the most effective methods of reducing emissions. Demand for renewable diesel will grow substantially in coming years, as it significantly reduces greenhouse gases while enabling the continued usage of existing infrastructure and equipment. UPM is exploring opportunities to scale up its renewable diesel business by investigating the possibility of constructing a new biorefinery in Kotka, Finland. The new refinery would be larger than UPM’s current facility in Lappeenranta, with annual capacity to produce 500,000 tonnes of advanced biofuels for ground transport and – an increasingly important segment – air transport. Its products could also be used to replace fossil rawmaterials in the chemical industry. Thanks to sustainable, renewable rawmaterials and efficient processes, the Kotka biorefinery’s products would have a significantly smaller carbon footprint than fuels and products produced from fossil rawmaterials. The biorefinery would utilise a combination of competitive, sustainable rawmaterials, such as solid residue streams from the forest industry as well as other wastes and residues. UPMBiofuels has also developed a new sustainable rawmaterial concept for biofuels by growing Brassica carinata, an oil plant, in Uruguay (learn more on next page). The development work for the new UPM biorefinery in Kotka is expected to continue into next year, as we aim to create a competitive next generation biorefinery in terms of production, products and feedstocks.  Fast track to decarbonisation

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