Genelec chooses UPM ForMi as material for their new high-end speaker

(UPM, Helsinki, April 10, 2013 at 10.00 EET) -  One of the most well-known speaker manufacturers in the world, the Finnish company Genelec, has chosen UPM's biocomposite as the material for their new high-end speaker model. The speaker enclosure is manufactured from renewable cellulose fibre based UPM ForMi.

"UPM ForMi fulfils our strict quality requirements and environmental criteria. The material is easy to mould and has excellent acoustic features. It does not require grinding or surface treatment, enabling a smarter and more efficient production process. This fits perfectly with our aim of leading the way in both production technology and environmental matters," says Siamäk Naghian, Managing Director at Genelec.

Finding new alternatives for established production materials was a lengthy process for Genelec. One of the key goals was to find a sustainable and environmentally responsible material that would also guarantee pure audio quality.

"It took several years to develop a finished speaker using this kind of new material.
In the end, UPM ForMi met our requirements and made the launch of the new speaker possible," says Harri Koskinen, speaker designer at Genelec.

Genelec will produce two M series (music creation) speakers using UPM ForMi. They are aimed mainly at music enthusiasts and audio professionals of the future. UPM's biocomposite is used to replace plastic in many applications, from speakers to furniture and consumer electronics. With UPM ForMi, up to 50% of oil-based plastics can be replaced with wood-based fibres. The advantage of the wood-based fibre is its lower carbon footprint and it is certified as coming from sustainably managed forests.

"Gaining the business of a world-class manufacturer known for high quality is yet another huge step forward for us. I also believe that this will lead to other manufacturers contacting us in increasing numbers," says Stefan Fors, Director at UPM ForMi.

Photos of Genelec speakers: http://www.upm.com/EN/MEDIA/Media-Centre/Image-gallery/Products/Wood-plastic-composite/Pages/default.aspx

For further information, please contact:
Stefan Fors, Director, UPM ForMi, tel. +358 40 571 3338
Siamäk Naghian, Managing Director, Genelec, tel. +358 40 834 7980

Find out more about UPM ForMi:
UPM ForMi is a new, durable, high quality biocomposite material intended for use in injection moulding production. Made of renewable fibres and plastic, the compound is safe, odourless and uniform in quality. UPM ForMi is manufactured from pure polymers and pulp, and is ideal for industrial as well as consumer product applications. UPM's supply chain and the use of renewable raw materials ensure that the new composite also has a small carbon footprint. www.upmformi.com

UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 22,000 people and it has production plants in 17 countries. UPM's annual sales exceed EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com

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