UPM to develop biofuels

UPM-Kymmene has announced plans to develop a biorefinery development centre to look at the advancement of wood as a fuel.

The centre, at the company’s Lappeenranta paper in Finland, will work to develop biomass systems and technology in collaboration with the Lappeenranta University of Technology. It will also work on the development of biochemicals.

“Establishing a new research centre is one more step in developing new business areas for UPM,” said Pekka Hurskainen, vice-president of research and development.

“The centre will also serve UPM’s other ongoing business research projects.”

Research work is expected to start in October, with the main operation starting up at the beginning of 2009.