UPM produces the first newsprint to carry the EU Ecolabel

(UPM, Helsinki, 27 September 2012 at 09:00 EET) - UPM has positioned itself as the frontrunner in the sustainable transformation of the paper industry by obtaining the first EU Ecolabel for newsprint. UPM News and UPM EcoBasic have obtained the EU Ecolabel after fulfilling strict criteria that include requirements related to energy and chemical use, forest sustainability (origin of wood), and production-related emissions to water and air.

UPM News and UPM EcoBasic are the first newsprints in Europe to receive the EU Ecolabel since the criteria were approved in July 2012. They are produced with at least 70% recovered fibres with the balance of fibres from PEFC or FSC certified sources. The EU Ecolabel for newsprint further certifies that the energy use, chemicals used as well as emissions and waste management comply with strict benchmark standards.

“UPM aspires to deliver products that have minimal environmental impact. The EU Ecolabels help our customers to choose the most environmentally responsible products available on the market. The label also shows that UPM is committed to its European customers,” states Wolfgang Bucher, Vice-President of Newspaper Publishers, UPM Paper.

UPM’s EU ecolabelled newsprint paper is produced in seven different paper mills; Kaipola (Finland), Ettringen, Schongau, Schwedt (Germany), Steyrermühl (Austria), Shotton (UK), and Chapelle (France).

To receive the EU Ecolabel for newsprint paper is a significant achievement underlining UPM’s environmental performance. To achieve this level of environmental performance the company has made significant investments such as new waste water treatment facilities and state-of-the-art biomass based renewable energy plants. All this means more efficient paper production, with less energy, less water, less waste, and with less carbon.

For further information, please contact:
Wolfgang Bucher, Vice-President of Newspaper Publishers, UPM Paper, tel. +49 821 3109 9499

Notes for the editors:
UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 24,000 people and it has production plants in 16 countries. UPM's annual sales exceed EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com

UPM Paper
UPM has 22 modern and sustainable paper mills in Finland, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Austria, China and the United States. As the world’s leading producer of graphic papers, UPM Paper provides customers with renewable high-performance products, and delivers more with less through efficient practises and continuous innovation. UPM Paper net sales amounted to EUR 7.2 billion in 2011, and the business group employs around 13,000 people. To learn more about UPM Paper, visit: www.upmpaper.com.

UPM, Corporate Communications
Media Desk, tel. +358 40 588 3284
media@upm.com
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