(UPM, Helsinki, 28 June 2017 at 15:00 EET) - UPM Biofuels is developing a new feedstock concept by growing Brassica Carinata as a sequential crop in South America. The Carinata crop produces non-edible oil suitable for biofuels' feedstock and protein for animal feed.
The sequential cropping concept enables contract farmers to take agricultural land into use outside the main cultivation period, in winter time, without compromising existing food production. This does not cause any land use change, prevents erosion and improves soil quality. Carinata will provide additional income to local farmers, who do not normally have their fields in productive use during winter. In South America UPM grows and tests Carinata with third-party farmers in Uruguay and Brazil.
Carinata field seeded in early May 2017 in Uruguay.
Carinata is an oilseed crop specially designed for sustainable production of biofuels. UPM has made a long term agreement with Canada-based Brassica Carinata crop developer Agrisoma Biosciences Inc. who utilise non-GMO technologies to improve crop varieties.
"Sustainable land use is UPM's core competence. We are developing this sequential cropping concept with Carinata as it provides new feedstock solutions for low carbon biofuels without compromising existing food production," says Petri Kukkonen, Head of UPM Biofuels Development.
Biofuels produced from Carinata oil reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 70% compared to fossil fuels.
"Exploring new feedstocks is part of UPM Biofuels' long term development. In addition to the Carinata concept, UPM studies waste and residue as well as wood-based feedstocks for biofuels," says Kukkonen.
The Carinata concept has no direct impact on the operations of UPM's Lappeenranta Biorefinery in Finland.
For further information please contact:
Petri Kukkonen, Vice President, Biofuels Development
e-mail: petri.kukkonen@upm.com
tel. +358 40 592 7440
UPM, Media Relations
Mon-Fri 9.00-16.00 EET
tel. +358 40 588 3284
media@upm.com
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 and tailpipe 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 Specialty Papers, UPM Paper ENA and UPM Plywood. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. We serve customers worldwide. The group employs around 19,300 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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