UPM launches UPM Circular Renewable Black, the first bio-based, NIR-detectable, carbon-negative pigment for premium packaging

Packaging

Source: UPM

UPM introduces UPM Circular Renewable BlackTM, a groundbreaking innovation that redefines the role of black as a color in sustainable packaging. UPM Circular Renewable Black is the world’s first bio-based, near-infrared (NIR) detectable, carbon-negative[1] pigment, enabling premium packaging solutions that combine design excellence with full recyclability and a strong sustainability performance. 

Continue reading

UPM participates in the NorthDIVeRSITY project led by Luke to develop Environmental DNA

A wooden building in the woodsAI-generated content may be incorrect.
The first mill was built along the Ala-Kelvänjoki river in 1666.The last mill is still in place, a reminder of the history of the area.

UPM is participating in the NorthDIVeRSITY project led by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), which is developing eDNA (Environmental DNA) tools for monitoring fish and forest species suitable for the Nordic nature. The project aims to find more effective methods for monitoring the effects of restoration, for example, by studying species distribution before and after restoration.

Continue reading

First-ever 3D-printed biocomposite pipes play in Helsinki Music Centre’s organ

66E1857C-A137-45B8-A3AD-F8FE841853E7

The new organ of the Helsinki Music Centre played in a celebratory concert on January 1, 2024. The striking facade pipes of the Rieger organ are the first of their kind, crafted from Finnish, wood-based UPM Formi 3D biocomposite. The organ features 3D-printed sounding pipes and wind lines totalling 260 meters. With 124 sound registers divided among several different sets of pipes, it is the largest in Finland and Scandinavia, among the largest in Europe, and the largest modern organ placed in a concert hall worldwide.

Continue reading

UPM and Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London showcase new, sustainable design concepts to prototype a world beyond fossils

F9466911-61E2-46CC-BE07-60147FCE6660

UPM and Central Saint Martins (CSM) collaborate to show possibilities for a future beyond fossils. As part of this collaboration design concepts have been developed that have the potential to disrupt traditional product concepts and trigger transformative designs enable sufficiency, recyclability and reuse as well as the substitution of fossil materials. The winning concepts will be unveiled at Design Transforms ’23, an exhibition that is opening in September in conjunction with London Design Festival.

Continue reading

Packaging: LUMENE, UPM and SABIC joined forces to replace fossil-based feedstocks with renewables ones

5D311580-34E4-4101-B3E6-4A295358FA7B
Source: UPM

Finnish beauty brand LUMENE is the first to launch a biobased packaging application with both the jar and label made with UPM’s innovative wood-based material, further processed by SABIC. LUMENE’s new jar and the self-adhesive label originate from renewable UPM BioVerno™ naphtha, produced by UPM in Finland. The naphtha is processed into certified renewable polypropylene by SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, and then converted both into commonly recyclable cosmetics containers and product labels printed on UPM Raflatac Forest Film label material.

Continue reading

UPM inaugurates state-of-the-art combined heat and power (CHP) plant at Europe’s largest paper mill

BioforeConceptCar_UPM_Metropolia_7_50213_2
Biofore Concept Car. Full rights owned by UPM. Photographer: Sami Kulju

UPM has officially opened a new combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Germany, bringing the company closer to meeting its ambitious target to decrease its CO2 emissions by 65% by 2030. The Finnish company is committed to meeting the targets of the 2015 Paris Agreement well in advance, through practicing climate-positive forestry, innovating novel products and taking actions such as investing in renewable and efficient energy solutions to power its own sites, while taking part in the transformation of energy systems in Europe.

Continue reading

UPM and Dongsung joined forces to introduce sustainable forest-based materials into the Asian market

E0C0E45A-7E88-4D79-88A7-8E6D69C4C4CE

UPM and Dongsung Chemical announce a development partnership that will accelerate the introduction of renewable, sustainable forest-sourced materials into the Asian market and reduce fossil resource consumption.

Continue reading

UPM published a new Forest Action Programme, which will run until 2030

BioforeConceptCar_UPM_Metropolia_5_50209_4
Biofore Concept Car premiered at the Geneva International Motor last spring. Copyright UPM Photographer Sami Kulju

UPM has published a new Forest Action Programme, which will run until 2030. The global programme steers UPM’s global wood sourcing operations and covers its own forests in Finland and the United States as well as its plantations in Uruguay. The programme goes beyond current standard requirements and its measures have a positive impact on the fundamental aspects of sustainable forestry: climate, biodiversity, soil, water and societal contribution.

Continue reading

Finland’s first educational activity book teaching preschoolers about recycling is out

UPM, Arla Finland and K Group have teamed up with Oppi&ilo to create Finland’s first educational activity book designed to teach Finland’s 60,000 preschoolers about recycling. The Kierrätyskaverit (“Recycling friends”) activity book aims to make recycling a fun, easy and inspiring part of their daily lives.

Continue reading

UPM enters the biochemicals business by investing in a biorefinery at Leuna, Germany

Fraunhofer in Leuna

Finnish company UPM takes the next transformative growth step and enters the biochemicals business by investing in a biorefinery at Leuna, Germany. The biorefinery will produce a range of 100% wood-based biochemicals which enable a switch from fossil raw materials to sustainable alternatives in various consumer-driven end-uses. The investment opens totally new markets for UPM with large growth potential for the future.

Continue reading