(UPM, Helsinki, 21 March 2014, at 10:00 EET) – The Biofore Concept Car, a joint production of UPM and the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, celebrates the International Day of Forests on Friday 21 March at the UN’s Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The car is a prime example of innovative use of renewable biomaterials that originate from responsibly managed forests. As such, the car is a perfect match with the day’s theme which focuses on innovative forest fibres, and their contribution to a greener economy.
“I think The Biofore Concept Car presents a brilliant example of collaboration between an industry and a university. It shows real innovative thinking with a real mission. A mission to make cars more sustainably and resource-efficiently in the future”, says Päivi Kairamo , Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Finland in Geneva in her speech at UN. “We as The Biofore Company are pleased to take part in this event. The main theme of the day is at the core of our Biofore thinking. We use forest biomass responsibly and innovatively, and create new materials that both contribute to a more sustainable economy and bring added value for our customers,” says Elisa Nilsson , Vice President, Brand and Communications, UPM. “Our roots are in the forests wherein also lies the key to a more sustainable and resource efficient future." In the Biofore Concept Car, the majority of parts that are traditionally made of plastics are replaced with high quality, safe and durable biomaterials, UPM Formi and UPM Grada, which can significantly improve the overall environmental performance of car manufacturing. UPM Formi is a recyclable biocomposite manufactured from cellulose fibre and plastics. UPM Grada, in turn, is a thermoformable wood material which enables high quality aesthetic and ecological designs. Moreover, the car will be fuelled by UPM BioVerno, a wood-based renewable diesel, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly compared to fossil fuels. The Biofore Concept Car premiered at the Geneva International Motor Show in early March and has raised considerable interest in the automotive industry and media. For more information, please contact: Elisa Nilsson, Vice President, Brand and Communications, UPM, tel. +358 204 16 7806
Related blog: http://bit.ly/1gZB29b
More information about the Biofore Concept Car: www.bioforeconceptcar.upm.com
Images for media: http://pet.upm.com/?cart=7495-diealiejhl&l=EN
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About UPM Through the renewing of the bio and forest industries, UPM is building a sustainable future across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Paper Asia, UPM Paper Europe and North America and UPM Plywood. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. We serve our customers worldwide. The group employs around 21,000 people and its annual sales are approximately € 10 billion. UPM shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com
About UPM Formi UPM Formi is new cellulose fibre reinforced plastic composite with high renewable material content. It is designed for injection moulding, extrusion and thermoforming applications. Up to 50% of UPM Formi's raw material is renewable. UPM Formi is manufactured by UPM Biocomposites, which develops, manufactures, markets and sells high quality composites UPM Formi and UPM ProFi. UPM Formi granulates are sold to wide range of industrial and consumer applications. UPM ProFi products are for outdoor end uses in construction. UPM Biocomposites factories are located in Finland and Germany and it is part of UPM’s new businesses. www.upmformi.com , www.upmprofi.com
About UPM Grada UPM Grada is a new thermoformable wood material for the form pressing industry. It is manufactured by UPM Plywood whose main offering is high quality WISA® plywood and veneer products mainly for the construction and transport industries. The sales of UPM Plywood in 2013 were EUR 429 million and it has about 2,300 employees. UPM Plywood has six plywood mills and a veneer mill in Finland, and plywood mills in Russia and Estonia. www.wisaplywood.com , www.upmgrada.com
About UPM Biofuels UPM plans to become a significant player in the field of high quality, advanced traffic biofuels. Biofuels are an essential part of the Biofore strategy, which combines the bio and forest industries. The innovative, wood-based biofuels produced by UPM and the production technologies used are an integral part of a sustainable future. UPM biofuels are forerunners in quality, usability and sustainability – they considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by traffic when compared with fossil fuels. www.upmbiofuels.com
About Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Science is Finland’s largest university of applied sciences, which educates the professionals of tomorrow in the fields of culture, business, health care and social services, and technology. From altogether 65 degree programmes 14 are in English. Metropolia operates in the Greater Helsinki region (Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa) and has around 16,800 students and 1100 staff members. Metropolia is a reliable partner and an innovator in higher education. www.metropolia.fi/en/
