UPM Biofuels marks 10 years of pioneering renewable fuel production in Lappeenranta, Finland
UPM Biofuels celebrates ten years of successful operations at its Lappeenranta Biorefinery, the world’s first commercial-scale facility producing advanced biofuels from wood-based residues. Since 2015, the refinery has been at the forefront of developing renewable alternatives to fossil-based fuels and materials, driving the decarbonization of the transport and petrochemical industries.
Robert Marx, Vice President of UPM Biofuels and Biorefining Commercial Development, said:
For ten years, our team has delivered exceptional performance and reliability at Lappeenranta,
“Their operational excellence and professionalism have set the benchmark for the industry. The biorefinery has also played a pivotal role in advancing UPM’s business in renewable fuels and chemicals—building technical know-how, opening new markets, and laying the foundation for future developments and investments.”
The UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery produces approximately 130,000 tonnes per year of UPM BioVerno™ renewable diesel and naphtha, using crude tall oil (CTO), a residue of pulp production. CTO stands out as a superior feedstock for renewable diesel production due to its fully traceable origin, integration in UPM’s existing value chain, and excellent sustainability profile. All products are backed by globally recognized sustainability certifications.
UPM BioVerno™ diesel cuts lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by over 80%[1] compared to fossil diesel and is suitable for all diesel engines. UPM BioVerno™ naphtha, used in applications such as packaging, textiles and automotive components, offers a sustainable alternative to fossil-based raw materials in the plastics value chain.
Looking ahead, UPM continues to invest in technology development to broaden its feedstock base beyond CTO, exploring new forest-industry residues and side streams within its ecosystem. The company is also progressing in the technical qualification of tall oil–based fuels for use in aviation, with ongoing testing under ASTM standards showing a positive track record. While a second biorefinery investment remains under consideration, UPM is prioritizing platform advancements and feedstock versatility to enable scalable and impactful decarbonization solutions.
UPM Biofuels
UPM Biofuels produces renewable and sustainable products for the transport and petrochemical industries. We offer our customers ways to replace fossil raw materials and reduce their carbon footprint. UPM’s innovative, bio-based products are frontrunners in quality, usability and sustainability. In addition to renewable diesel, the UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery produces renewable naphtha – an excellent wood-based raw material for plastics. www.upmbiofuels.com
UPM
UPM is a material solutions company, renewing products and entire value chains with an extensive portfolio of renewable fibres, advanced materials, decarbonization solutions, and communication papers. Our performance in sustainability has been recognized by third parties, including EcoVadis and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. We operate globally and employ approximately 15,800 people worldwide, with annual sales of approximately €10.3 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.
UPM – we renew the everyday
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UPM Biofuels marks 10 years of pioneering renewable fuel production in Lappeenranta, Finland, source
