(UPM, Helsinki, 15 December 2011 at 13:00) – UPM will strengthen its research on eucalyptus fibre and build a competence centre at the Fray Bentos pulp mill in Uruguay. The new centre including expansion of the existing laboratory facilities will be operational during the first half of 2012.
The new competence centre will focus on the research of eucalyptus species and their impact on end product properties. The Fray Bentos competence centre will evaluate the aspects of the eucalyptus species growing in Uruguay with the aim to accelerate the process of selecting the best trees to be planted in the future.
“At the Fray Bentos mill site we can combine our expertise in the pulp process with the plantation forestry operations know-how in an innovative way. The new competence centre will also enable us to strengthen the cooperation with our customers in product development,” says Sami Saarela, Vice President for UPM’s pulp production.
The Fray Bentos competence centre will operate as part of UPM’s global R&D Network. The competence centre will increase research activities and training of the Uruguayan engineers in the development of eucalyptus fibers.
For more information:
Sami Saarela, UPM, Vice President, Pulp production, tel. +358 50 3606 502
Simon Fagerudd, UPM, Technical Customer Service Manager, tel. +358 40 585 2718
www.upm.com/Businesses/Pulp/Uruguay
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. The Group employs around 24,500 people and it has production plants in 16 countries. UPM's annual sales exceed EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com
UPM’s approximately 300 R&D professionals work in in five research centers around the world. Each research center has its own dedicated focus area. Our research work covers the whole value chain all the way to the customer. www.upm.com/EN/ABOUT-UPM/Research
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