Company Profile: UPM - The Biofore Company
UPM is one of the most prominent forest industry companies in the world. The company was founded in Finland and it currently employs close to 20 000 people and has production plants in 13 countries. UPM has a strong emphasis on being economically, socially and environmentally responsible and it has been ranked 25th in the list of 100 most sustainable corporations in the world.
As the Biofore Company, UPM offers a diverse line of products from sustainable resources across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Paper Asia, UPM Paper Europe and North America and UPM Plywood. Versatile use of recyclable and renewable wood biomass, combined with innovation, efficiency and responsibility are at the core of UPM Biofore. Biofore integrates ‘bio’ which focuses on the future and ‘fore’, which reflects exceptional environmental forestry and stewardship.
UPM Paper Providing World Class Services
UPM Paper Europe and North America is the world’s leading producer of graphic papers with 15 paper mills, including one modern mill operating in the U.S. The Blandin mill in Grand Rapids, Minnesota manufactures coated groundwood paper in a variety of finishes and basis weights. The UPM Paper ENA’s North American headquarters is located in Naperville, Illinois.
According to Angelo LaMantia, Vice President North American Supply Chain, General Manager – UPM, “We produce truly sustainable paper grades created to respond to changing market dynamics. Our combination of lighter weight and substantial feel allows cataloguers and publishers to respond to rising mailing costs while maintaining premium quality. Since fewer raw materials are needed, our papers have a smaller environmental footprint as well.”
“This is a win on multiple fronts for publishers, cataloguers, and retailers who are looking for premium quality, cost savings, and proven environmental stewardship,” concluded LaMantia.
Paper is a true Biofore product: made of renewable and recyclable raw material, it remains sustainable throughout its whole lifecycle.
UPM Blandin produces high-quality lightweight coated magazine and catalogue printing papers and utilizes best available technology and fresh wood fibre. The mill's Midwest location and logistics infrastructure offer efficient access to many printer locations. UPM Blandin Forestry is responsible for supplying the Blandin mill with timber and for sustainable management of the forests owned by UPM in the U.S. UPM owns and manages 187,876 acres of forest land making it one of the largest private owners in Minnesota.
UPM imports over 600,000 tons of paper annually through three East Coast ports. Vessels, carrying over 15,000 tons of paper, arrive at the ports of Baltimore, Maryland and Jacksonville, Florida on a weekly basis to serve customers in the U.S. UPM also utilizes ocean container transload operations at the ports of New York.
Responsible Sourcing – Part of UPM Raflatac’s DNA
In addition to paper, UPM’s core businesses also include label materials. In North America, UPM Raflatac manufactures paper and film label materials for consumer product and industrial labelling in its manufacturing facilities in Mills River and Fletcher, North Carolina and Dixon, Illinois.
As part of UPM, responsible sourcing is an important part of UPM Raflatac’s culture. UPM Raflatac offers a range of PEFC and FSC-certified paper label stocks that demonstrate corporate responsibility and support label converter and end-user sustainability targets. Customers can be assured that the paper-based label materials purchased from UPM Raflatac’s North American manufacturing facilities originate from well-managed, legally-logged forests.
However, being environmentally responsible doesn’t stop at sourcing – and making a chain of custody certified label products available to customers and brand owners is just one example of how UPM Raflatac USA is doing its part to encourage responsible forest management. The company’s work to develop innovative products goes hand in hand with manufacturing processes designed to be clean and energy efficient.
Recognition in Sustainability and Leadership
UPM was recently ranked 25th in the list of 100 most sustainable corporations by Corporate Knights, the Canadian-based media and research company. UPM is the only company in the Paper and Forest Products category. Companies who make the Global 100 ranking are the top overall performers in terms of sustainability in their respective industrial sectors.
The UN invited UPM to join a group of the world's top 50 sustainability leaders in the United Nations Global Compact LEAD this year. UPM is the first forest industry company and also the first Finnish company ever to receive such an invitation. Global Compact LEAD is a unique leadership platform within the United Nations Global Compact that strongly promotes the integration of sustainability into business strategies.
Forests of Opportunity
Forests are the primary source of raw materials for UPM. Applying the principles of sustainable forest management is therefore a critical priority. UPM’s global biodiversity targets guide company forestry worldwide. As a landowner of 187,876 acres in Minnesota, UPM signed a landmark conservation easement with the state of Minnesota which prevents fragmentation of large blocks of forest land, increases connectivity and protection of wildlife habitats including wetlands, lakes and streams, permanently maintains public access for recreation, and assures ongoing sustainable practices on working forest lands. All UPM land is SFI certified.
To ensure full visibility, all UPM’s environmental and social responsibility certificates and product declarations are available on UPM’s Certificate Finder, published on UPM’s web site.
Text: UPM
More information: http://www.upm.com/