UPM Biofuels wins Pulp and Paper Industry’s Bio Strategy Award 2016

UPM has received the PPI Bio Strategy Award 2016 for its biofuels business in Brussels, Belgium.The PPI Awards are the only global awards that are dedicated to recognizing the achievements of companies, mills and individuals in the pulp and paper sector.

The judges were looking for a company that has grabbed the opportunity in using wood, biomass or waste for the creation of bioenergy, biofuels and other non-core products signifying an entrance into the bioeconomy, and has demonstrated that the strategy impacts financial performance. A great example case of this is of course UPM’s advanced biofuels production in the UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery in Finland.

“We are very pleased and honoured to receive this recognition. We are convinced that the biofuels business makes sense in so many ways, as it uses residues for raw material, makes us less dependent on fossil oil, and is a fast track for reducing greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions from transportation,” says Sari Mannonen, Head of UPM Biofuels. “Last but not least we have been able to demonstrate that this is not only sustainable but also good business.”

PPI Awards ceremony in Brussels – Sari Mannonen, Head of UPM Biofuels (fourth from left), accepted UPM’s awards.

Excellence in the global pulp and paper industry was celebrated for the 8th year in a row at the PPI Awards on 21 November, held in conjunction with the CEPI European Paper Week in Brussels. Winners were selected by a high level jury which includes CEOs and professionals from pulp and paper industry, sustainability consultancy, specialised media and industry associations.

In addition to the Bio Strategy Award category, UPM also won the Financial Strategy award at the PPI 2016 Awards.