(UPM, Helsinki, 24 July, 2015, at 10:00 EET) – UPM receives a top score in the recently released WWF UK Timber Scorecard. The scorecard assesses more than 100 retailers, manufacturers and traders in the UK for their commitment and performance in responsible forest trade during the years 2013 – 2014. UPM was one of a small number of companies which received the highest score of 3.
The scorecard looks at
companies’ practices and policies in relation to sustainably sourced timber and
timber products, against a backdrop of increasing deforestation. The
top-performing companies are characterized by the clarity and simplicity with
which they report their timber and timber product purchasing and performance.
They have made public commitments, and there is visible evidence that they have
set up the right policies to ensure sustainable timber is being used as much as
possible in their products.
“Tracing the origin of wood is a
prerequisite for UPM,” says John Sanderson, Head of
Environment, UK and Ireland. “We verify that the wood raw material supplied to
our mills - whether in China, Uruguay, the US or Europe - is sustainably
sourced, legally logged and procured according to the basic requirements of
international forest certification schemes and timber regulations. UPM’s tracing
systems and chain of custody model cover the requirements for both PEFC and
FSC® forest certification schemes, and 83% of UPM’s paper is produced using
fibre that meets the criteria of one or both of these schemes. In addition, UPM
has an FSC and PEFC Group Certificate in Finland and a UKWAS Group Certificate
in the UK which private forest owners can sign up to,” he continues.
“In 2014, UPM sourced more
than 26 million cubic meters of wood from around the world, of which almost 290
000 cubic meters comes from forests in the UK. In addition to the high
percentage of sustainably managed virgin fibre used in our production, we are
also the world’s largest user of recovered paper in the graphic papers’
production. And this combination makes us a truly responsible player in this
field,” Sanderson concludes.
For more
information
John Sanderson, Head of Environment, UK and Ireland,
UPM, tel. +44 7714066919
Link to WWF
UK Timber Scorecard
UPM, Media
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UPM
Through
the renewing of the bio and forest industries, UPM is building a sustainable
future across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM
Paper Asia, UPM Paper Europe and North America and UPM Plywood. Our products are
made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. We serve our customers
worldwide. The group employs around 20,000 people and its annual sales are
approximately EUR 10 billion. UPM shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. UPM
– The Biofore Company – www.upm.com
