When wood from central European forests is transformed into UPM Biochemicals’ bio-based ingredients for consumer products, we ensure that we can follow its journey from forest to biorefinery and into a product. The origin of our wood is always known. And the end consumer can therefore connect their product back to the carbon value of our forests.
All wood we use comes exclusively from sustainably managed forests and is 100% either FSC® or PEFC certified and covered by a third-party verified chain of custody. The certification confirms that the forest is being managed in a way that preserves biological diversity and benefits the lives of local people and workers while ensuring it sustains economic viability. These principles cover a broad range of issues, from maintaining a high level of ecosystem services to securing safe work spaces and income for rural people, as well as monitoring the environmental and social impacts of forest management.
“Our sourcing causes zero deforestation, and our regional sourcing of wood enables local value creation and ensures compliance with high social and environmental standards, says UPM Biochemicals’ Martin Ledwon. “Our wood originates from the selectively harvested forest, not from clear cuts and a substantial part of the forest is always retained in harvesting.”
“We use individual trees so that the remaining trees accelerate their growth – increasing their value as a carbon sink – and new trees grow from the undergrowth and emerge through natural regeneration. This accommodates all types of forest management and timber qualities that are not used for furniture production or other higher-value uses. The carbon bound in wood is further stored in products made from our bio-based ingredients, especially in applications with long service life, such as rubber and durable plastics. Today, more than 60% of beech is used in fireplaces for heat – the least climate-effective use of any wood. Developing new industrial applications in the bioeconomy, based on beech forest thinnings and waste, supports our climate adaptive, responsible forest management goal.”