UPM BioVerno diesel receives the Finnish Key Flag Symbol


(UPM, Helsinki, 26 January 2015 at 13:00 EET) - The outstanding properties of UPM BioVerno, UPM's renewable wood-based diesel, received yet another acknowledgement when it was granted the Finnish Key Flag Symbol. The Key Flag Symbol can be granted to products that are manufactured in Finland and have a domestic origin degree of over 50 per cent.

UPM BioVerno diesel is produced only in Lappeenranta, Finland. The renewable diesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions significantly when compared to fossil diesel produced from imported crude oil. UPM BioVerno is a high-quality fuel that has been proven to suit all diesel engines as well as traditional diesel fuel.

UPM BioVerno's degree of domestic origin (i.e. percentage of Finnish expenses in the total cost price) is well over 50 per cent—for example, most of the raw material used in the production is Finnish crude tall oil that UPM gets from its pulp mills as a residue.

“As the operating environment becomes more and more international and the selection of goods grows, the origin of products and services becomes increasingly important for consumers. Finnish consumers appreciate domestic origin, reliability, quality, sustainability and safety. The Key Flag Symbol signals all of these things, and it is an honour for us to associate it with the UPM BioVerno diesel,” says Sari Mannonen, Sales & Marketing Director at UPM Biofuels.

The 50-year-old Finnish Key Flag Symbol is very well known in Finland: over 90 per cent of consumers know the symbol well.

“The importance of domestic origin has increased among consumers last year and as many as 94 per cent say that the Key Flag Symbol has a strong or fairly strong impact on their purchase decision”,  says Reetta Mentu, Brand Manager of the Finnish Key Flag Symbol.

“It is great to get UPM BioVerno –diesel for our Key Flag Symbol user, as the product employs people in Finland in many sectors. UPM’s investments in Finland create new jobs thus they increase the well-being in the society.  The construction of the biorefinery alone has employed nearly 200 persons for two years, and a ready-made biorefinery employs 50 people directly in Lappeenranta and some 150 persons indirectly. In addition, the product development of UPM BioVerno has been made in Finland, too”, Mentu continues.

UPM BioVerno will be available within the next few months as the bio component of regular diesel fuel in the Finnish service station chains St1 and ABC.

For further information, please contact:
Sari Mannonen, Sales and Marketing Director, UPM Biofuels, tel. +358 45 265 1345
Reetta Mentu, Brand Manager of The Finnish Key Flag Symbol, The Association for Finnish Work,  tel. +358 50 561 5030

Photos:
http://www.upm.com/FI/MEDIA/Mediakeskus/Kuvat/Tuotteet/Biopolttoaineet/Pages/default.aspx
Videos:
http://www.upmbiopolttoaineet.fi/biopolttoaineen-valmistus/Pages/Default.aspx


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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 21,000 people and its annual sales are approximately € 10 billion. UPM shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com

UPM Biofuels
UPM plans to become a major player in high quality, advanced biofuels for transport. Biofuels are an essential part of the Biofore strategy. The innovative wood-based biofuels developed by the company and their production technologies are part of the sustainable future. UPM’s biofuels are frontrunners in quality, usability and sustainability. They will significantly decrease the greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossils fuels. www.upmbiofuels.com

The Association for Finnish Work is an expert organisation whose duty is to promote appreciation of Finnish work. The organisation governs symbols and online services working to promote Finnish work and advocates innovation and entrepreneurship. Founded in 1912, the association has over 2,550 member enterprises or organisations.
The Key Flag Symbol can be granted to a product that has been manufactured in Finland or to a service produced in Finland. Over 3.000 products, product groups or services have the right to use the Finnish Key Flag Symbol. www.avainlippu.fi/en