The updated Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) released at the end of 2024 for WISA®-Spruce plywood show substantial improvements in the environmental impact of the products. For example, the production-phase fossil environmental impact of uncoated WISA-Spruce plywood is now 50 percent lower compared to 2021 figures. Since the changes in the production process also apply to coated products, the improved emission figures extend to the entire WISA-Spruce product range.
Long-term commitment to climate goals
The reduced environmental impact of WISA-Spruce plywood is a direct result of UPM Plywood’s concrete environmental actions and long-term commitment to continuous improvement. UPM’s environmental efforts focus on three key areas: low-carbon products, sustainable forestry and the development of production.
The most significant actions in production have been the introduction of WISA® BioBond adhesive technology in May 2022 and the transition to fossil-free purchased energy at all UPM spruce plywood mills in 2023. The heat and energy production at UPM’s plywood mills has long relied primarily on wood-based residues, such as bark and hog fuel.
“Fossil-free energy is now used in all our spruce plywood mills. All WISA-Spruce plywood products are manufactured using WISA BioBond adhesive technology, where wood-based lignin replaces more than 50 percent of the fossil-based phenol. These changes were made in phases, and their positive impact is now visible in the EPDs,” UPM Plywood’s Environment Manager Sanna Kontinen says.
UPM is committed to reducing its own carbon dioxide emissions by 65 percent from 2015 levels and supply chain emissions by 30 percent from 2018 levels by 2030. The improved EPD figures show how tangible climate actions are guiding progress towards these goals.
EPDs support designers and developers with emission calculations
EPD is a document that designers and developers use as part of project emission calculations and material comparisons. A reliable and up-to-date EPD helps assess the environmental impact of a product’s production phase from raw materials and their sourcing to the mill gates. A Life Cycle Assessment covers the product’s entire journey from raw material acquisition to end use and disposal.
“We support our customers’ environmental goals by providing transparent documentation on our WISA plywood products to support environmental assessments, emission calculations and reporting,” Kontinen says.
National regulations in EU member states will soon require detailed CO₂ emission reporting for all construction projects. This emphasizes the need for reliable, third-party verified and easily accessible information.
“This is not a new direction for us, instead it’s a continuation of long-term work. The greatest opportunities for future emission reductions lie beyond our own operations, in supply chains and product transport. Achieving this requires fresh forms of collaboration across the entire value chain,” Kontinen adds.
