Roundtable of Sustainable Biomaterials appoints UPM’s Maiju Helin as Chair of Board of Directors

Press Release 3.9.2019 13:00 EEST

(UPM, Helsinki, 3 September 2019 at 13:00 EET) – The Roundtable of Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) has appointed a new leader to drive the vision of the global, multi-stakeholder independent organisation that drives the development of a new world bioeconomy through sustainability solutions, certification, innovation, and collaborative partnerships. Having been involved and committed to RSB for many years, Maiju Helin of UPM Biofuels now steps up to serve as Chair of the RSB Board of Directors, with support from her newly elected Co-Chair, Laurel Harmon of LanzaTech.

On her election to the position of Chair, Maiju Helin, who is Head of Sustainability and Market Development at UPM Biofuels, reflected on RSB’s journey and looked to the future of the organization: “These are truly exciting times as the future beyond fossils is emerging. RSB is at the forefront as a leading voice for both industry and civil society to drive positive outcomes and I strongly believe collaboration and dialogue between different stakeholders is the most effective way to promote a circular economy and bioeconomy.

“RSB’s multi-stakeholder sustainability standard helps consumers and businesses make better choices. I’m thrilled to see wider action on sustainability and climate impacts and hope that the example UPM has set will inspire other companies to deliver renewable and responsible solutions to the growing consumer demand.”

maiju-helin.jpg

Maiju has been committed to the development of RSB through her work at UPM Biofuels for several years. During that time UPM Biofuels has gained RSB certification for UPM Biofuels’ operations in Finland and in Uruguay, as well as the world’s first low ILUC certification. In addition, she has contributed to the development of RSB’s best-in-class sustainability standards.

“With Maiju and Laurel’s steady guidance and long-term commitment to sustainability and RSB, the organisation is certainly in safe hands. Bringing leading industry voices to our multi-stakeholder roundtable, Maiju and Laurel will help consolidate RSB's position as a best in class standard while further cementing the case for certification within their own industries,” says Rolf Hogan, Executive Director of RSB.

More information:
Maiju Helin, Head of Sustainability and Market Development, UPM Biofuels
Tel. +358 50 325 6046, maiju.helin@upm.com

UPM, Media Relations 
Mon-Fri 9.00-16.00 EET
tel. +358 40 588 3284 
media@upm.com

UPM Biofuels produces renewable and sustainable products for the transport and petrochemicals industries. We offer our customers ways to replace fossil raw materials and reduce their carbon footprint. UPM's innovative, bio-based products are frontrunners in quality, usability and sustainability. In addition to renewable diesel, the UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery produces renewable naphtha - an excellent raw material for plastics, film materials and glues. #beyondfossils
www.upmbiofuels.com

Follow UPM Biofuels on Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) is a global, multi-stakeholder independent organisation that drives the development of a new world bioeconomy through sustainability solutions, certification, innovation, and collaborative partnerships. It provides tools and solutions that mitigate business risk and contribute to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals - and RSB has one of the world's most trusted, peer-reviewed, global certification standards for sustainable biomaterials, biofuels and biomass production.
www.rsb.org