UPM Biofuels marks 10 years of pioneering renewable fuel production in Lappeenranta, Finland

Photo: UPM

UPM Biofuels is celebrating 10 years of successful operations at its Lappeenranta biorefinery in Finland, what the company said is the world’s first commercial-scale facility producing advanced biofuels from wood-based residues.

Since 2015, the refinery has been at the forefront of developing renewable alternatives to fossil-based fuels and materials, driving the decarbonization of the transport and petrochemical industries, according to UPM Biofuels.

“For 10 years, our team has delivered exceptional performance and reliability at Lappeenranta,” said Robert Marx, the vice president of UPM Biofuels and biorefining commercial development.

“Their operational excellence and professionalism have set the benchmark for the industry,” Marx added. “The biorefinery has also played a pivotal role in advancing UPM’s business in renewable fuels and chemicals—building technical know-how, opening new markets and laying the foundation for future developments and investments.”

The UPM Lappeenranta biorefinery produces approximately 130,000 metric tons per year of UPM BioVerno™ renewable diesel and naphtha, using crude tall oil (CTO), a residue of pulp production.

CTO stands out as a superior feedstock for renewable diesel production due to its fully traceable origin, integration in UPM’s existing value chain and excellent sustainability profile, according to the company.

All products are backed by globally recognized sustainability certifications.

UPM BioVerno™ diesel cuts lifecycle greenhouse-gas emissions by over 80 percent compared to fossil diesel and is suitable for all diesel engines.

UPM BioVerno™ naphtha, used in applications such as packaging, textiles and automotive components, offers a sustainable alternative to fossil-based raw materials in the plastics value chain.

Looking ahead, UPM continues to invest in technology development to broaden its feedstock base beyond CTO, exploring new forest-industry residues and side streams within its ecosystem.

The company is also progressing in the technical qualification of CTO-based fuels for use in aviation, with ongoing testing under ASTM standards showing a positive track record.

While a second biorefinery investment remains under consideration, UPM said it is prioritizing platform advancements and feedstock versatility to enable scalable and impactful decarbonization solutions.