World Association of News Publishers


UPM improves energy efficiency and strives for the best carbon footprint in the industry

UPM improves energy efficiency and strives for the best carbon footprint in the industry

Article ID:

12887

(UPM, Helsinki, 25 February 2011 at 11:00) – During the past two years, UPM has improved energy efficiency significantly by effective process and equipment modifications as well as engaging employees in a global energy-saving campaign. Thanks to these measures, UPM's electricity and heat consumption has reduced by approximately 9% per paper tonne. In the past two years, UPM has gained a total of EUR 55 million from all its energy savings activities and 7 % reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

"UPM aims to continuous improvement of the energy efficiency in all its businesses. Our long-term target is to achieve the best carbon footprint in the industry by improving our energy efficiency and increasing the use of carbon neutral and bio-based energy," says Director Markku Taavitsainen from UPM's Paper Business Group.

In the campaign, conducted in 2009-2010, the staff committed to the development of energy efficiency, made innovations and investment proposals, as well as shared the best ideas and practices for the use of UPM's mills throughout business areas. During the campaign, EUR 9 million was spent on the implementation of 140 development ideas produced by the staff, which brought permanent and long-term improvements.

“We achieved significant improvement with relatively minor measures. For example at the Rauma mill, the manufacturing of mechanical pulp was developed. The renewals have resulted in major annual energy savings equivalent to heating 10,000 houses,” says Taavitsainen.

UPM's mills use energy as electricity and heat. Most of the energy used in paper-making is consumed in the manufacturing of mechanical pulp, pumping, vacuum systems and the drying of the products. UPM generates all the heat and one third of the electricity it needs for paper-making in combined heat and power production plants operating on paper mill sites. Energy generation in the mill power plants is based mainly on renewable, biomass-based fuels, such as bark and forest residues.

Biomass-based fuels make up 80% of fuels used by UPM in Finland and 68% worldwide. The company produces 30% of the renewable bio-energy in Finland. UPM is the second largest biomass-based electricity generator in Europe. Altogether 77% of UPM’s power generation is CO2 emission-free.

UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 22,000 people and it has production plants in 15 countries. In 2010, UPM's sales amounted to EUR 8.9 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com

UPM is committed to the continuous improvement of its environmental operations. UPM, as the Biofore Company, has committed to reducing the environmental impacts of the products and operation throughout their entire lifecycle. Sustainable products, the climate, water, forest and waste are the key areas within the environmental responsibility of UPM. The company strives to continuously improve its environmental operation and to achieve the long-term goals set for 2020. See for more information: www.upm.com/responsibility

Author

Michael Spinner-Just's picture

Michael Spinner-Just

Date

2011-02-25 10:31

Press releases fresh from the industry as they reach us. Read more ...

WAN-IFRA offers the supplier companies a plethora of platforms to present their valuable products and services to our top-level publishing community, with top-quality exhibitions, events, webinars and workshops, publications, newsletters and more. Read more ...