(UPM, Helsinki, November 24, 2006) – UPM has been awarded an EU Flower certificate for its magazine paper UPM Eco produced at Schongau paper mill, Germany. The European eco-label, better known as EU Flower, is awarded to products that meet the strict environmental criteria set out by the EU awarding body.
"UPM Schongau mill has complied with EU Eco-Label criteria already for some years. In order to better meet customers' business demands we have now gone through the official third party auditing and verification process. EU Flower is also a proof of the company's good overall environmental performance", said Wilhelm Demharter, Vice President Environmental Affairs Central Europe.
To receive the EU Flower, paper producers must meet strict regulations set on emissions to water and air as well as reduce energy consumption. In addition, paper producers must meet a wide range of environmental and sustainable requirements. These include using recycled fibres or virgin wood fibres from sustainable managed forests.
As part of the EU Flower assessment criteria, manufacturers must demonstrate the origin of all fibres and more than 10 % of fibres must be sourced from certified sustainable managed forests. Producers must also demonstrate a commitment to the increase use of environmentally sound products during manufacture.
UPM Eco, produced at Schongau mill, is 85-100 % made of recycled fibre. The paper mill has certified Chain-of-Custody in place which covers all suppliers of saw mill chips used for virgin fibre processing and ensures wood sourcing and forest management according to the certification principles of PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes).
For further information please contact:
Mr. Dr. Wilhelm Demharter, Vice President Environmental Affairs Central Europe,
Telephone +49 821 3109611
Notes for editors:
UPM is one of the world’s leading forest products groups. The Group's sales in 2005 were EUR 9.3 billion, and it has about 30,000 employees. UPM's main products include printing papers, converting materials and wood products. The company has production plants in 15 countries and its main market areas are Europe and North America. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki and New York stock exchanges. Further information is available on the company's web site at www.upm-kymmene.com
The European eco-label, known as the "EU Flower" is a voluntary scheme designed to encourage businesses to market products that are genuinely a better choice for the environment. Copying and graphic paper is one of more then 20 product groups for which ecological criteria have been adopted. For more information please visit www.eco-label.com.
