UPM Biofuels gains ISCC PLUS certification for bio-based applications

Press Release 18.4.2016 14:00 EEST

(UPM, Helsinki, 18 April 2016 at 13:00 EET) - UPM Biofuels has extended sustainability certification to cover all of its output streams from the Lappeenranta Biorefinery in Finland under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Scheme ISCC PLUS. UPM Biofuels produces renewable diesel and naphtha at the Lappeenranta Biorefinery in Finland. Wood-based renewable diesel UPM BioVerno for transportation is the main product. However, the process also generates a smaller share of renewable naphtha, which can be used as a biocomponent for petrol.

Existing biofuel sustainability certifications cover the use of these renewable fuels in transportation. However, with the new ISCC PLUS certificate, the wood-based fuels can now also be utilised as certified feedstock, for example in bioplastics production. Other output streams from the Lappeenranta Biorefinery are renewable turpentine, pitch and sodium bisulphite, which are formed as residues of biofuel production. Like the main products, all these residues have several applications in the chemical industry.

ISCC PLUS is a sustainability certification scheme for bio-based applications like chemicals, food and feed products and applications in the bioenergy sector. It is built on the same basic requirements as the biofuel specific ISCC-EU scheme, covering sustainability and traceability criteria. In addition, the scope of this certification can be extended by voluntary add-ons like the Greenhouse Gas Emission Calculation, which is also included in the certification scope of UPM Biofuels.

"The new ISCC PLUS certification complements UPM's existing biofuel specific sustainability certificate portfolio to cover new potential bio-based market segments and their requirements. There is a growing need for certified renewable fuels and chemicals, for example in the biochemical and bioplastics industries which are seeking replacements for fossil usage in their processes and end use," says Sari Mannonen, Sales and Marketing Director, UPM Biofuels.

"For example, UPM's renewable turpentine can be used in the production of bio-based aroma chemicals for the fragrance industry, and sodium bisulphite as a bleach in the chemical industry."

For biofuel markets the existing certificates from ISCC EU and the Finnish national sustainability scheme provide proof of compliance with the sustainability criteria set by the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED). With both ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS certifications UPM will have access to other relevant bio-based market segments, and compliance with the sustainability requirements of important customer groups is guaranteed.

Innovative renewable fuels from Finland

UPM's renewable diesel, known as UPM BioVerno, is an innovation that reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% when compared with fossil fuels. The latest studies show that UPM BioVerno diesel also reduces tailpipe emissions significantly. This high quality drop-in biofuel is produced from a residue of UPM's own pulp production, crude tall oil, with no edible materials being used. UPM BioVerno is an ideal fuel for all diesel-powered vehicles.

UPM started the production of wood-based renewable diesel in the UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery in January 2015. The production capacity of the biorefinery is 120 million litres of renewable diesel annually. The new certification opens up new application markets outside vehicle fuels for all products and residues of the Lappeenranta Biorefinery.

More information:
Sari Mannonen, Sales and Marketing Director, UPM Biofuels, tel. +358 45 2651 345, sari.mannonen@upm.com

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UPM Biofuels
UPM plans to become a major player in high quality, advanced biofuels for transport. Biofuels are an essential part of the Biofore strategy. The innovative wood-based biofuels developed by the company and their production technologies are part of a sustainable future. UPM's biofuels are frontrunners in quality, usability and sustainability. They will significantly decrease greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. www.upmbiofuels.com

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UPM
Through the renewing of the bio and forest industries, UPM is building a sustainable future across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Paper Asia, UPM Paper Europe and North America and UPM Plywood. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. We serve our customers worldwide. The group employs around 19,600 people and its annual sales are approximately EUR 10 billion. UPM shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. UPM - The Biofore Company - www.upm.com

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ISCC
ISCC is a leading international certification system covering the entire supply chain and all kinds of bio-based feedstocks and renewables. Independent third party certification ensures compliance with high ecological and social sustainability requirements, greenhouse gas emissions savings and traceability throughout the supply chain. ISCC can be applied in various markets including the bioenergy sector, the food and feed market and the chemical market globally. Since starting operations in 2010, more than 10,000 certificates in 100 countries have been issued. www.iscc-systems.org