(FINLAND)
A Finnish company has become the first in the world to receive a respected international accreditation for wood-based biofuels.
UPM Biofuels makes its UPM BioVerno fuels at the company’s biorefinery in Lappeenranta, Finland. In comparison to fossil fuels, it reduces “lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%”. The RSB (The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) certification was awarded to UPM after a comprehensive evaluation process – developed with input from UN agencies and NGOs, that assesses the lifecycle impact of biofuels.
Maiju Helin, Head of Safety, Sustainability and Quality at UPM Biofuels, hailed the recognition as “very strong evidence of sustainability in all UPM Biofuel operations”.
Approved by the European Commission, the RSB stamp of approval also confirms alignment with the EU Renewable Energy Directive’s sustainability criteria.
“The RSB is proud to count UPM among the visionary biofuel producers that are RSB certified. Using residues, like those from pulp and paper production, to produce energy helps to build a new world free of fossil fuels with minimal impact on nature and food production. This is the first certification of biofuel produced from wood-based feedstocks and RSB looks forward to working with UPM to promote this innovative solution for the bioeconomy,” added Rolf Hogan, Executive Director of RSB.
