Ash-based filler material: UPM Schongau receives environmental award

Press Release 7.12.2018 2:00 EET

(UPM, Schongau, 7. Dezember 2018) – UPM in Schongau has partnered with SMI, a company from Duisburg, to develop a method of generating resource-efficient precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC).

Calcium carbonate is traditionally utilized as filler material for paper manufacturing, and is derived from burnt lime, which is produced by heating natural limestone at a very high temperature. This process requires a considerable amount of energy and releases a significant quantity of CO2.

The new process enables the partial or complete substitution of burnt lime through use of mineral by-product of the paper industry. Ash which results from the incineration in UPM's heat plant of residual materials from waste-paper recycling are processed to be used as a "recycled filler" in paper production.

"The carbon dioxide that results from the burning process is directly captured within this alternative filler material during the production process. This way, it is not released into the environment. The new filler material reduces the need for quarried limestone and saves large amounts of energy. In addition, it saves on transport of mineral raw materials. For us, this is an perfect example of innovation and resource efficiency. This innovative process is yet another building block towards closing the natural resource circle,” said Heiko Hilbert, who leads the project at UPM Schongau.

Bringing the circular economy to life is central to UPM’s Biofore strategy. UPM continuously strives to get the mosts sustainable and optimal use from raw materials. Our motto "Beyond Fossils", expresses UPM’s competency in the area of renewable and reusable raw materials.

„We aim to pursue a regenerative circular economy that minimizes waste, emissions, and the use of water and energy. This enables us to implement the German federal government’s Bioenergy Strategy 2030 in an innovative and creative way and helps us implement a zero waste strategy,” said Wolfgang Ohnesorg, head of UPM in Schongau and Ettringen.

UPM Schongau has been awared the “KUMAS Lead Project Award 2018” for the new process, transforming waste ash into a resource-efficient filler material. The annual award has been issued by the association KUMAS – Competence Center for the Environment since 1998. Lead projects by KUMAS include methods, products, services, concepts, developments and research results, which are particularly suitable for demonstrating the environmental competence "Made in Bavaria".

For further information please contact:

Heiko Hilbert, Project Manager, UPM Schongau, tel. +491751511593

UPM Schongau

UPM Schongau is located on the river bend of the river Lech in the Upper Bavarian town of Schongau. The mill produces newsprint, letterpress and high filler uncoated papers for newspapers, newspaper supplements, advertising supplements, leaflets, magazines and catalogues. Around 540 employees and three modern paper machines produce up to 740,000 tons of roll printing paper per year for newspaper printing houses, publishing houses and roll paper printers all over the world.

UPM

We deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. We employ around 19,100 people worldwide and our annual sales are approximately EUR 10 billion. Our shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. UPM Biofore – Beyond fossils. www.upm.com