Overview
UPM (United Paper Mills) is a Helsinki-headquartered multinational forest industry company that has transformed from a traditional pulp and paper producer into a leader in renewable material solutions. With over 17,000 employees and operations in more than 40 countries, UPM develops sustainable alternatives to fossil-based materials across six business areas: UPM Fibres, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Plywood, and UPM Biocomposites.
Bioplastics and Bio-based Materials
UPM’s bioplastics activities span multiple business units:
UPM Biocomposites
UPM Biocomposites develops, manufactures, and sells high-quality composite products for outdoor construction, consumer applications, and industrial uses. The flagship product line, EcoAce, is a wood-based biocomposite that combines wood fibers with renewable biopolymers. These composites reduce material consumption through enhanced durability and are manufactured using renewable feedstocks from UPM’s own pulp production.
UPM BioVerno
UPM BioVerno is a renewable naphtha produced from crude tall oil, a residue of pulp production. This bio-based feedstock has been successfully converted into bio-based polyethylene through partnerships with Dow and Elopak. The resulting bioplastic maintains identical properties to fossil-based PE but with a significantly lower carbon footprint.
Partnership with SABIC
In collaboration with SABIC, UPM has developed new wood-based biocomposite materials using certified renewable PP. These materials combine UPM’s sustainable wood fiber expertise with SABIC’s polymer technology, creating materials suitable for packaging, automotive, and consumer goods applications.
Environmental Commitment
UPM has committed to science-based targets for climate action and aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations. The company’s entire value chain is built on renewable wood feedstocks, and all UPM products are recyclable or biodegradable. The company invests heavily in closed-loop water systems and zero-waste manufacturing.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1996 (merger of several Finnish forest companies)
- Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
- Revenue: ~€10 billion annually
- Employees: 17,000+
- Listed: Helsinki Stock Exchange (UPM)
- Biocomposite brands: EcoAce, UPM Formi
- Bio-naphtha brand: UPM BioVerno
Market Position
UPM is one of the largest private forest owners globally and a pioneer in replacing fossil-based materials with renewable alternatives. The company’s biocomposites compete directly with traditional plastics in applications where sustainability credentials are increasingly demanded by consumers and regulators.
Last updated: June 28, 2026 Information sourced from UPM corporate website, SABIC partnership announcements, and industry reports