UPM Biofore Magazine 1-2019

low-emission alternatives would already go a long way towards addressing the issue. According to calculations by the VTT research group, greenhouse gas emissions could be halved by 2030 if 30% of all transport fuel were renewable biofuel, and if fossil-based vehicles were to be replaced by 250,000 electric cars and 50,000 biogas cars. Electric and biogas cars are good alternatives, but it would be unreasonable to expect everyone to invest in a costly new vehicle. The easiest and most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, then, is to increase the use of ethanol and renewable diesel in existing engines. Biofuels are also suitable for long-haul vehicles, ships and aircraft. “Pitting electric cars against biofuels is counter-productive,

because both are needed. Significant emission reductions can be obtained with renewable fuels, where Finland is at the forefront. Drop-in biofuels, which require no changes to current fuel distribution systems and vehicles, have the advantage,” Nylund says. advanced biofuels sourced from waste, residues and side streams from agriculture and forestry. These second-generation biofuels pollute less than ever and do not compete with food crops. At its biorefinery in Lappeen­ ranta, UPMmanufactures renewable UPMBioVerno diesel and UPMBioVerno naphtha, a petrol component, from tall Proudly made in Finland Finnish companies have developed

oil, which is produced during pulp production. As a pure hydrocarbon, the characteristics and energy content of UPMBioVerno diesel correspond to that of fossil diesel, making it fully compatible with the distribution systems already in use. Unlike traditional biodiesel, BioVerno can be used as part of a mixture or by itself. Its greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire production chain are up to 80% lower than those of conventional diesel. “UPMBioVerno is a drop-in fuel. It is made here in Finland and fulfils sustainability criteria, making it a good solution. VTT is UPM’s long- term partner in fuel development,” says Nylund. UPMBioVerno has been tested on buses and industrial machinery

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