UPM and VTT to initiate fleet tests of wood-based diesel using Volkswagen cars

(Helsinki, 26 April 2013 at 9:30 EET) – UPM, VTT and VV-Auto Group will start fleet tests of renewable domestic diesel.  Biofuel will be produced by UPM, fleet tests will be coordinated by VTT and cars will be supplied by VV-Auto Group. Fleet tests with UPM BioVerno will start in May, lasting several months.

UPM BioVerno diesel has previously been studied in engine and vehicle tests conducted by VTT amongst others. The fleet tests will focus on investigating UPM renewable diesel in terms of fuel functionality in engine, emissions and fuel consumption.

"We are very happy to collaborate with renowned partners in the fleet tests, with sustainable development being the common denominator for us all," says UPM Biofuels Vice President Petri Kukkonen.

The fleet tests are a part of a larger project coordinated by VTT. The goal of this project is to encourage companies to commercialise renewable energy solutions in traffic.

"Advanced, sustainable biofuels are a great opportunity for Finland. The Commission will most likely restrict the use of biofuel made from food crops, meaning that the value of the forest industry residues will increase. VTT has wide expertise on engines and fuels, which complements UPM's key competence in this project," says Research Professor Nils-Olof Nylund at VTT.

Experienced test drivers from VTT will drive UPM BioVerno cars within the Helsinki metropolitan area and collect data for analysis during the 20,000-kilometre drive.

Test drive vehicle: Car of the Year 2013

The model chosen for the test drive is the Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI equipped with DSG automatic transmission. The new Golf has been nominated Car of the Year 2013 by the world's leading automotive journalists.

One of Volkswagen's long-term goals is to encourage behaviour that will benefit both the customers and the environment.  "Be aware and save fuel. Think Blue." – This model of thought is an essential part of Volkswagen's environmental responsibility programme, and also in terms of the technology used. It accounts for more energy-efficient production methods, promoting renewable energy and comfortable and responsible driving.

"As the largest automobile manufacturer in Europe, Volkswagen is committed to lowering the average CO2 emissions of their vehicles to 95 g/km in Europe by 2020," says Heikki Ahdekivi, Director at Volkswagen passenger cars.

Innovative renewable diesel

UPM's renewable diesel, known as UPM BioVerno, is an innovation that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by traffic by up to 80% when compared with fossil fuels. This high-quality biofuel is produced from residues of the forest industry, with no edible materials being used. UPM BioVerno is an ideal fuel for all diesel-powered vehicles.

In 2012, UPM began the construction of the first biorefinery in the world producing wood-based renewable diesel. This refinery, located in Lappeenranta, Finland, will be completed in 2014. Its production capacity will be 100,000 tonnes equating to 120 million litres of renewable diesel a year. UPM is a forerunner in the production of advanced biofuels.

For further information, please contact:
Petri Kukkonen, UPM Biofuels, Vice President, tel. +358 40 592 7440
Nils-Olof Nylund, VTT, Research Professor, Energy use in traffic, tel. +358 400 703 715
Olli Tervonen, VV-Auto Group Oy, Product Manager, tel. +358 50 336 0182

Image gallery of UPM BioVerno

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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. UPM employs approximately 22,000 people. We are present in 67 countries and have production units in 17 countries. UPM's annual sales exceed € 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com

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.upm.com/biofuels

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is a leading multitechnological applied research organization in Northern Europe. VTT creates new technology and science-based innovations in co-operation with domestic and foreign partners. VTT’s turnover is EUR 290 million and its personnel totals 3,100. www.vtt.fi

VV-Auto Group Inc. imports and markets Volkswagen, Audi and SEAT passenger cars, and Volkswagen commercial vehicles in Finland. It also imports and markets SEAT passenger carsin Estonia and Latvia. VV-Auto Group Inc. also retails cars and provides after-sales services at its own outlets in the Greater Helsinki area and Turku. VV-Auto Group Inc. is a subsidiary of Kesko Corporation. www.volkswagen.fi