UPM Continues Improving Its Material and Energy Efficiency
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UPM, Helsinki, Finland, reports that it is one of 250 Finnish companies participating in Motiva's Energy Saving Week. For UPM, taking part in Energy Saving Week for the third time is "a natural choice." Markku Taavitsainen, director, Operations Support, UPM Paper Business Group, notes that "during the past year, UPM has focused especially on material efficiency by producing more with less energy, water, and waste, and with a lower carbon footprint."
For several years now, UPM has been improving overall energy efficiency at its mills with the help of energy saving campaigns and investment programs targeted at energy savings. Today, energy saving is a key part of the mill's everyday routine. More than 200 energy investments to date reflect the success and excellence of the company's efforts as well as the commitment of its employees. With the help of these investments and energy efficient methods recently implemented, UPM has been able to significantly decrease its mills' energy consumption.
Last year UPM Paper Business Group started the Material Efficiency program, with the goal of reducing both process water consumption and raw material losses as well as improving the effectiveness of process chemicals. During the first wave, 17 investments were started with an average pay back time of 0.7 years. The material efficiency program lasts for three years.
"The cornerstones for a successful Energy Saving Program have been the strong commitment of our employees. We have also been able to apply the best energy saving ideas to other UPM mills. The same successful concept has now been applied to our Material Efficiency Program, and we are hoping to see similar engagement and results," saidTaavitsainen, who is responsible for the programs.
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