The construction of UPM’s innovative biochemicals facility starts in Germany

UPM celebrated today the official start of the construction of the state-of-the-art biochemicals facility in Leuna, Germany. The biorefinery investment of EUR 550 million is a major milestone in UPM’s strategic transformation.

In Leuna, UPM will produce a range of 100% wood-based biochemicals that enable a switch from fossil-based products to sustainable alternatives in a number of end-uses such as plastics, textiles, cosmetics and industrial applications. Technology and process have been developed by UPM over the past ten years, mainly building on the company’s own innovation capabilities and selectively working with international partners. The biorefinery is expected to start up by the end of 2022.The investment has been awarded The Bio Act of the Year 2020 by the World BioEconomy Forum earlier in September this year.

“Today marks a new era for UPM’s biomolecular businesses. The biorefinery in Leuna will be the nucleus for an entirely new and high-value growth business and opens totally new markets for UPM with large growth potential for the future,” says Jyrki Ovaska, Executive Vice President Technology at UPM. “Awareness of climate change has increased customer demand for sustainable alternatives to fossil-based products. UPM has committed to UN’s Global Compact’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C and constantly innovates more sustainable products from renewable raw materials. The biorefinery in Leuna opens new perspectives for UPM as well as the bio-economy as a whole,” Ovaska continues.

The total annual capacity of the biorefinery will be 220,000 tonnes bio-monoethylene glycol (BioMEG) and lignin-based renewable functional fillers. In addition, the biorefinery will produce bio-monopropylene glycol (BioMPG) and industrial sugars made from sustainably harvested beechwood sourced regionally in Germany. MEG is used for the production of textiles, plastics, PET, packaging and industrial coolants while MPG is used in composites, pharma or cosmetics products. Renewable functional fillers are used e.g. in a variety of rubber applications such as tires and sealings.

UPM’s wood-based products can be used to replace oil, gas or coal-based materials and they perform consistently in established production processes and the existing recycling infrastructure. They will significantly reduce the CO2 footprint of the end-use products. Furthermore, raw materials and other services for the biorefinery will be sourced in the region which enables local value creation and ensures compliance with high social and environmental standards.

The biorefinery will be built in Leuna, a renowned chemical site with more than 100 years of history, that has undergone significant transitions in the past. The state government has committed to supporting the build-up of new, sustainable industries and has also supported UPM in the process to date. The state’s Prime Minister, Dr. Reiner Haseloff welcomes UPM’s investment: “Saxony-Anhalt develops more and more into a hub for future technologies. The UPM Biorefinery is a key investment for the state of Saxony-Anhalt and I am grateful that UPM decided to invest in our state. Leuna offers a well-developed infrastructure and a business environment which is supportive to such investments.”

UPM has already established the project office at the site and is now ready to start the construction phase of the project. The work has continued uninterrupted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with high health and safety standards ensuring safe working conditions.
https://www.upm.com/about-us/for-media/releases/2020/10/the-construction-of-upms-innovative-biochemicals-facility-starts-in-germany/

Related Posts

Euro-Graph Publishes November Statistics of the European Graphic Papers Industry

Total graphic papers shipments in November 2021 were UP 3.0% vs. November 2020 and were UP 4.5% year-to-date. Total newsprint shipments in November 2021 were down 0.3% vs. November 2020 and were down 3.3% year-to-date. Total sc-magazine shipments in November 2021 were down 8.3% vs. November 2020 and were down 0.2% year-to-date. Total coated mechanical reels shipments in November 2021 were UP 3.1% vs. November 2020 and were UP 2.4% year-to-date. Total uncoated mechanical (improved & others) shipments in November 2021 were down 6.6% vs. November 2020 and were UP 3.2% year-to-date. Total coated woodfree shipments in November 2021 were UP 13.7% vs. November 2020 and were UP 11.8% year-to-date. Total uncoated woodfree shipments in November 2021 were UP 6.9% vs. November 2020 and were UP 10.8% year-to-date.

Sylvamo Second Quarter Results Show Increased Earnings and Operating Margins

"We saw increasing earnings and operating margins in the second quarter after a successful first quarter. We are also raising our adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow full-year guidance based on our first half of the year performance and our second half outlook," said Jean-Michel Ribiéras. "We remain committed to reducing debt, investing in high-return projects and returning cash to shareowners as we continue delivering on our investment thesis." Second Quarter Highlights *Net income from continuing operations of $84 million ($1.89 per diluted share) compared with $55 million ($1.25 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2022 *Repaid $48 million of debt, achieving a gross debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio of 2.2x. Second Quarter Commercial and Operational Highlights *Price and mix improved by $73 million versus the prior quarter, mainly due to prior price increases implemented in all regions *Operations improved by $2 million and total planned maintenance outage expenses rose by $17 million in North America *Input costs grew by $16 million versus the prior quarter, reflecting higher chemical, energy, fiber and transportation costs.

Klabin carries out a General Shutdown at the Puma Unit

Klabin will carry out the 2023 General Shutdown at the Puma Unit, in Ortigueira (PR), starting next week. This important event aims to ensure the proper functioning and reliability of the Unit's equipment, in addition to implementing improvements that increase the quality of the company's production process and the safety of employees and the community. Maintenance stop periods are regulatory for some industry sectors and therefore in line with Brazilian legislation. It is at this moment that the necessary interventions take place to guarantee the reliability of the operation, bringing safety to the processes and to employees and the community. The Parade also generates an opportunity for improvements and technological updates to be implemented. It should be noted that at Klabin, the stages of work are defined using the best project management practices, with a focus on safety, planning, integration and quality in the production processes of the manufacturing units.
Back To Top
×Close search
Search