Resource efficiency

Our Biofore strategy is based on the sustainable use of renewable and recyclable raw materials. We manage raw materials, water and energy responsibly, and we strive to optimise our energy, production and cost efficiency. We aim to use our precious raw materials as efficiently as possible in our production processes and minimise the waste. Whenever side streams are generated, we aim to utilise them in various end use applications.

Our environmental 2030 targets promote resource efficiency

No solid process waste to landfill by 2030

We aim to become a Zero Solid Process Waste to Landfill company globally by 2030. This means that UPM will not deposit any process waste at landfill sites, and no process waste will be incinerated without energy recovery.

Ash originating from bioenergy production forms the most significant proportion of our solid waste, with 93% currently being recycled. Our mills generate energy from nearly all organic production residues, including bark and wood residues and fibre-containing solids from deinking and effluent treatment. Most of the fibrous residues that are not incinerated are composted or used in soil amendment.

Wherever possible, we avoid landfilling. We are constantly developing new reuse ideas. Today, 87% of our production waste is reused or recycled.

If there is no re-use option, we dispose of residual solid waste responsibly at landfills operated by our mills or by trusted external operators. The environmental impact of UPM landfill sites is monitored for compliance with permits and regulations issued by the local environmental authorities. We forward hazardous waste, such as oil or oil-contaminated equipment, to licensed hazardous waste treatment facilities in compliance with relevant statutory requirements.

Increasing energy efficiency

We aim to increase our energy efficiency by 1 % annually. As an example, our pulp mills produce more energy than they use. Our recovery boilers produce energy by burning black liquor, a side stream from the chemical pulping process. The black liquor consists of cooking chemicals and dissolved wood materials that are left over after the cooking of wood chips. In the causticising phase following the recovery boiler, the cooking chemicals are recovered for reuse.

Decreasing effluent load and wastewater volumes and maximising water circulation

Our target is to reduce our effluent load (COD) by 40% and our wastewater volume by 30% by 2030. The water circulation of our paper machines is controlled, meaning that the water is circulated multiple times during the process. Only a small portion of this water leaves the process as effluent. Our most water-intensive production plants are in areas where there is plenty of water available. In Finland, all fresh water we need is sourced from natural lakes and rivers. Read more about our water management here. 

Nutrient recycling plays an important role in resource efficiency

We have set a 2030 target to use only recycled nutrients in our own effluent treatment plants. This approach not only reduces the overall nutrient load on waterways but also reduces the need for the energy-intensive production of nitrogen and the use of phosphorus, which is a depleting natural resource. We use nutrient-rich side streams from other industries, and some side streams we generate in our own production processes are used as liming agents, soil improvement materials or fertilisers.

Do you or your company happen to have unutilised nutrients or side streams? We are looking for collaboration!

Read more

• Focus areas and targets 
• Responsibility data 
• UPM’s material balance sums up the total material, energy and emission flows to and from UPM units worldwide
• UPM’s pulp and paper mills’ environmental statements (EMAS reports)