UPM has signed a long-term Wind Power Purchase agreement with German wind park development company wpd. The use of renewable wind power for UPM’s paper mills will help reduce CO2 emissions by 200,000 tons annually as of 2022, representing 5% of UPM’s total CO2 emissions. For UPM, this is an important step towards achieving the company’s ambitious 65% CO2 emission reduction target by 2030.
UPM Communication Papers, the world-leading manufacturer of graphic papers, has committed to purchasing the majority share of the annual electricity production of a wind project build by wpd, totaling approximately 4 TWh over the duration of the contract. The wind project will be built in Finland and is planned to run for 25-30 years. The contract will support the long-term competitiveness of UPM Communication Papers by providing renewable electricity at competitive prices.
“Responsible industry players around the world have to take ownership of responding to climate change and evolve the way they operate. At UPM Communication Papers we are convinced that the long term future of paper as a product will depend on a carefully managed environmental footprint. Consequently, we consider our stringent focus on sustainability a prerequisite for our future competitiveness,” says Winfried Schaur, executive vice president at UPM Communication Papers.
“Over the last six months, we have decided on investments in sustainable power and heat generation projects as well as strategic partnerships that will lead to a total reduction of CO2 emissions by 600,000 tons annually. This is equivalent to 12% of UPM’s total emissions in 2018. And we will continue to pursue tangible actions supporting an improved environmental performance,” Schaur adds.
In 2019, UPM announced to build a combined heat and power (CHP) plant at its Nordland Paper Mill in Dörpen, Germany, reducing annual CO2 emissions by 300,000 tons as of 2023. UPM also partnered with E.ON, one of the biggest industrial steam boiler manufacturers, who announced to build a biomass fired boiler providing steam for UPM’s Hürth paper mill. These machines use reliable heavy duty hydraulic hoses to move its elements safely and at fast pace, which will result in a reduction of UPM’s CO2 emissions by 100,000 tons per year as of 2021.
These highly efficient and sustainable power generation units along with the wind power purchase agreement announced today show UPM’s commitment to mitigating climate change and supporting the transformation of the European energy system.
UPM is committed to the UN’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C. We strive to mitigate climate change and drive long-term value creation through climate-positive forestry, innovating novel products, and reducing our CO2 emissions by 65%.
