We believe in the circular economy model where materials and value circulate. Because we’re dedicated to use valuable and renewable forest biomass responsibly and efficiently, we already reuse or recycle most of our production waste and continuously explore new solutions. The raw materials and products we develop help our customers replace non-renewable materials with renewable, recyclable and low-impact alternatives.
Our development teams have adopted an ecodesign approach, which means environmental aspects are systematically integrated into the innovation process at an early stage. Our products are safe and sustainable because they’ve been designed with responsibility in mind from the get-go.
The innovation performance of a company is often measured by the number of new patent applications it files. At UPM, we file approximately 360 patent applications around the world each year. We regularly review the importance of each patent to determine the ones we should keep and the ones we should sell or license to external partners.
We collaborate with a wide network of universities and research institutes as well as start-ups and technology suppliers, to support our R&D operations. Through collaboration with our partners we’re able to develop new solutions and business models more quickly and get to the market faster.
Our innovation approach
Innovations create new business opportunities and value for our existing businesses. We invest in development to provide resource-efficient and renewable alternatives for the future.
Role of innovations in our businesses
Fibre-based businesses continue to form the foundation of UPM's strategy. Our businesses are united by a single purpose: to create value from renewable and recyclable materials by combining expertise and technologies.
Our global network of research centres supports our businesses and their development goals. We enhance the competitiveness of existing businesses by finding solutions to increase resource efficiency, reducing costs and developing new products.
Our three spearheads for growth:
- Specialty packaging materials – combining our expertise in specialty papers and adhesives
- High value fibre – leveraging our forest and pulp knowhow
- Molecular bioproducts – turning to chemistry for new applications like biofuels, biochemicals and biomedicals.
| Business area | R&D's role |
|---|---|
| UPM Biorefining |
|
| UPM Energy |
|
| UPM Raflatac |
|
| UPM Specialty Papers |
|
| UPM Communication Papers |
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| UPM Plywood |
|
| New businesses |
|
