As the leading forest industry company UPM has always set its target to be in the forefront. In the past years the company has not only been responding to the changes in the business environment but focusing on the future. UPM has created a name for the new forest industry in which the company believes in its future as a frontrunner: Biofore. Bio stands for future orientation, sustainable solutions and excellent environmental performance, whereas fore stands for the forest and for being in the forefront.

Biofore captures the essence of UPM's strategy and tells where the company is heading. The company's businesses including Pulp, Energy, Paper and Engineered materials provide a perfect platform for developing the Biofore industry with forest biomass in its core. Biofore integrates traditional businesses with new and innovative opportunities to use renewable and recyclable forest biomass. UPM is currently developing new business opportunities including biofuels, biochemicals and composites.

"Paper is a great example of Biofore: it is made from renewable raw material, is recyclable and biodegradable. In our paper production, we use certified wood fibre from sustainably managed forests, recovered paper and renewable energy. We have a wide range of paper products that have been granted the EU Eco label that is awarded only to products which have a reduced environmental impact during their entire life cycle. Our papers are a truly sustainable choice", says Kari Ylönen, Marketing Director for UPM papers.

Low carbon footprint
UPM's carbon footprint is low thanks to the use of low-emission energy and continuous efforts to increase energy efficiency. Over 60% of the fuels used at UPM mills are biomass-based. The company's fossil CO2 emissions have been reduced by 40% per tonne of paper since 1990.

UPM provides a carbon footprint calculation service for its paper products to assist its customers in estimating their own carbon footprint. The basis for the calculations are the 10 elements of the Carbon Footprint Framework for Paper and Board Products developed by the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI). Available on the Paper Profile, these calculations enable the paper buyer to make well-informed product choices, by presenting essential environmental facts and figures in a uniformed way for specific products.