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Public Affairs

At UPM Public Affairs, we enable business success through targeted advocacy and dialogue with relevant stakeholders. We anticipate societal and regulatory developments in UPM’s operating environment and promote a policy framework that fosters investment in the low-carbon transition and provides long-term predictability.

"We work to ensure UPM's voice is heard in the policy debates that shape the transition to renewable materials. We engage with governments, regulators, and stakeholders in our key operating regions to advocate for policies that make that shift possible."

Stefan Sundman
VP, Public Affairs

Our agenda advances UPM’s strategy

The priorities of our Public Affairs work reflect and advance UPM’s strategy. UPM invests in sustainable growth and renews the everyday with innovative material solutions. Our strategy addresses some of today’s biggest global challenges, such as resource scarcity, climate change, loss of biodiversity, and the urgent need to move away from fossil materials.

Versatile dialogue on various levels

Advocacy for a favorable business environment shapes our work across UPM’s main countries of operation and at the EU level. UPM is registered in the EU Transparency Register (ID: 861194311863-31), the German Lobby Register, and the Finnish Transparency Register. Our memberships in various trade associations and networks are listed under Cooperation and memberships.

Transparency and integrity

For us, dialogue and advocacy are essential elements of a well-functioning democracy. Policymakers need access to all relevant information and different perspectives to make balanced, well-informed decisions. In everything we do, we strictly adhere to anti-corruption laws and compliance rules, and we do not financially support political parties or individual candidates.

Our topics

Sustainable forest management and fossil-free materials

Products made from wood-based alternatives to fossil-based raw materials are a cornerstone of climate change mitigation. UPM strictly condemns deforestation and sources wood fibre from sustainably managed forests.

We advocate sustainable forest management to enhance biodiversity and strengthen carbon sinks, while recognizing that progress in the bioeconomy must align with the availability of sustainable feedstock.
Reducing fossil-based consumption remains a key priority and forest carbon sinks should not compensate for ongoing fossil emissions.
Sustainable forest management and domestically sourced biomass should be a key pillar of the EU’s strategic autonomy goals.

Renewable circularity in packaging

We view renewable circularity as a core principle of a future-proof packaging sector and advocate for legislation that places recycling and reuse on an equal footing.

Regulatory definitions should remain flexible and principle-based, as overly detailed provisions can unintentionally constrain innovation in sustainable packaging.

Biorefineries and material defossilization

Decoupling material sectors from fossil-based raw materials requires alternative feedstocks. Our biorefineries in Lappeenranta and Leuna are at the forefront of that shift.

Our biorefineries offer wood-based biochemicals that replace fossil-based raw materials and improve environmental performance across a wide range of applications.
Advanced biofuels are an integral part of our production and help mitigate transport emissions, and we call for technology neutrality and a simplified regulatory framework.
Biorefineries are also central to the emerging hydrogen economy and with access to emission-free electricity and biogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) resources, UPM is exploring opportunities in hydrogen-based products.

Well-functioning energy markets

The energy system is transforming quickly. The rapid uptake of renewables has increased price volatility and underlined the need for well-functioning energy markets.

We advocate for a supply- and demand-driven price signal that ensures an efficient electricity market, maintains system balance, and promotes investment in new capacity.
Europe’s energy-intensive industries depend on energy policies that safeguard their global competitiveness.
A strong and clean European industrial base requires sufficient investment in variable renewable energy, emission-free baseload generation including nuclear, and adequate balancing capacity.

Taking innovations to large-scale production

UPM’s R&D programs and business development units turn research into industrial-scale solutions that drive both competitiveness and the transition to sustainable materials.

We advocate for a competitive and predictable operating environment that enables innovations to scale into industrial production.
Regulatory certainty, a level playing field, and agile permitting and licensing processes are essential to incentivize investment in new production capacity.

A level playing field in energy taxation and industry subsidies

Energy taxation is regulated at both national and EU levels. UPM advocates for a level playing field across all its main operating areas.

Most of UPM’s electricity generation comes from nuclear power, hydropower, and combined heat and power (CHP) production at mill sites, primarily fueled by renewable sources.
Market-based pricing is the most effective way to ensure competitive electricity costs and measures to strengthen security of supply must preserve market price signals.
When implementing international tax legislation, it is essential to avoid additional national measures in UPM’s operating areas that competing countries do not apply.

Safeguarding Finland’s competitiveness

Finland is one of UPM’s most important operating areas and the location of our headquarters. We believe Finland’s operating environment must ensure a level playing field for its export industry.

Internationally competitive costs for energy, logistics, and raw materials are essential.
Logistics routes critical to the national economy must be well maintained to ensure the smooth movement of raw materials and products.
In labor policy, we promote local agreements as a means of increasing flexibility and enabling companies and employees to adapt to changing circumstances.

Free and rules-based trade

UPM’s products are exported to customers around the world. We support free and rules-based international trade grounded in clear and enforceable rules.

A successful green transition must be based on a level playing field, ensuring the same sustainability standards apply both inside and outside the EU.
We have seen a significant increase in fraudulent trading practices in sectors where we operate and support EU action to address them.

Contact us

Get in touch with our team.

Stefan Sundman

VP, Public Affairs stefan.sundman@upm.com Tel. +358 2041 50559

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Giulia Cancian

Director, EU Affairs giulia.cancian@upm.com Tel. +32 491 594387

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Matthias Held

Director, Public Affairs, Germany matthias.held@upm.com Tel. +49 15164 181341

matthias-held

Jukka-Pekka Rantakokko

Director, Public Affairs jukka-pekka.rantakokko@upm.com Tel. +358 2041 50793

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Elina Warsta

Director, Marketing, Sustainability & Communications, Fibres Finland Operations elina.warsta@upm.com Tel. +358 40 3542331

elina-warsta-34252048

For media inquiries, please refer to our media contacts.

Our views and positions

Position Paper | 01/07/2026 11:35:58

UPM’s position on Circular Economy Act

White Paper | 11/18/2025 09:34:00

UPM’s position on deforestation and EUDR revision

Position Paper | 06/11/2025 08:03:48 | 11 min

UPM position paper: Leveraging the bioeconomy as a growth engine for European sustainable prosperity and competitiveness

Position Paper | 09/29/2024 09:25:00 | 6 min

UPM Position Paper: Green growth needs green demand

White Paper | 10/02/2023 10:31:36 | 10 min

UPM White Paper on Carbon Dioxide Removals

Position Paper | 06/10/2022 05:57:27

UPM expectations for Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive review

White Paper | 02/08/2022 11:02:30

UPM White Paper on Climate Positive Forestry and Green Growth

Position Paper | 02/02/2022 22:00:00

UPM position paper on Fit for 55

Story | 11/05/2024 12:00:30 | 3 min

UPM was part of President Stubb’s delegation – “We have a long-term commitment to China”

Blog | 07/02/2024 10:56:50 | 3 min

A lobbyist works as an interpreter between decision-makers and business world

Story | 03/20/2024 10:51:21 | 5 min

New EU packaging rules are (almost) here

Blog | 12/16/2022 09:35:01 | 3 min