UPM (Finland) announced this week the official inauguration of PM 3 in Changshu, China. As an important milestone for the development of UPM in China, the new paper machine will further increase production capacity while implementing the company's Biofore strategy. With this investment, UPM seeks to continue to provide environmentally friendly, safe, and broad product portfolios for customers in China and the Asia-Pacific region. 

"In UPM Changshu, we will focus on value added, advanced paper products for growing segments in China and worldwide. On this site, we are also introducing totally new, innovative manufacturing technology - not only for China, but for the paper industry worldwide," said President and CEO Jussi Pesonen in his opening speech.

In 2012, to meet the growing demand for paper from China and the Asia-Pacific region, UPM began to implement the PM 3 Project with a total cost of EUR 277 million. The PM 3 production line and process has been designed to be very flexible with a wide range of different products from uncoated woodfree papers to advanced specialty products. This swing concept of PM 3 also greatly improves the efficiency of paper production and helps to reduce energy consumption. The product portfolio of Changshu has been extended into labeling material and other specialty products to better fit customer needs. These segments are still seeing and are forecast to see significant growth globally, but especially in this part of the world.

UPM first invested in China in 1998 and has since invested more than $2 billion in the region. The Changshu site is designed to be proof of UPM's consistent and steady commitment in China. Today, the site boasts a fully integrated production and converting capability that incorporates a paper mill, labelstock factory, Asia R&D center, as well as an APAC Supply Chain center. With the new investment, UPM is able to produce 1.4 million metric tpy of labeling material and fine papers for customers across the Asia Pacific region, and beyond.

UPM says that it attaches great importance to the sustainable development of the economy, society, and environment. UPM's Biofore strategy emphasizes environmental friendliness and sustainable development for the full life cycle of paper production. Currently, the share of certified fibers is at 84%. In addition, UPM has developed a biodiversity program for forest management, to increase biodiversity, improve natural ecosystems, carbon cycles, and vitalize the forest. In the paper production process, UPM values the protection and recycling of water resources. At UPM's Changshu Mill, the recycling rate for the white water has reached 97%.

"The completion of PM 3 Project in Changshu is another strong example of our long-term commitment to sustainable development in the Chinese market. In the future, through UPM's Biofore strategy, the company will continue to raise industry standards to achieve a more sustainable and safer way of production," said Pesonen.