UPM Biofore Magazine 1-2019

In t ime

Plywood rolling off new Chudovo line THE EXPANSION of the UPMChudovo plywood mill in Russia has proceeded to the trial run phase, with the new production line’s first deliveries already being shipped to customers in Europe and Africa. The new line will create around 100 new jobs both directly and indirectly in wood procurement and logistics. Due for completion by September, the investment will also mark an expansion of the mill’s product portfolio.

Visit the future at Verla THIS SUMMER , the UPM-owned Verla Mill Museum in eastern Finland will host an exhibition showcasing bio-innovations that are spearheading the fossil-to-bio transition. Among the highlights is the Biofore Concept Car, a groundbreaking innovation replacing conventional oil-based materials with renewable biomaterials. The car has already toured seven countries, most recently China last autumn. Visitors are also invited to experience the Biofore Tea House, a biocomposite masterpiece paying tribute to Chinese tea culture. Also not to be missed is a new lakeside building called ‘Aitta’, which serves as a temporary stash for 420,000 pine seeds. Eventually the tiny seeds will grow into a forest the size of 320 football fields.

GOOD PROGRESS WITH RESPONSIBILITY TARGETS

UPM’S BIOFORE STRATEGY provides a roadmap helping the company to attain its responsibility targets for 2030 and UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). Its 35 responsibility focus areas fall into three categories: economic, social and environmental responsibility, with targets and key performance indicators

determined for each respective focus area. Last year, good progress was made in 26 of the responsibility targets, specifically concerning economic targets, supplier audits and work safety. More work needs to be done to attain targets in areas such as energy efficiency and percentage of certified fibre used. Read more upm.com/responsibility

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