UPM Biofuels marks a decade of pioneering renewable fuel production in Lappeenranta

Since 2015, the Lappeenranta Biorefinery has been at the forefront of developing renewable alternatives to fossil-based fuels and materials, driving the decarbonization of the transport and petrochemical industries.

For ten years, our team has delivered exceptional performance and reliability at Lappeenranta. Their operational excellence and professionalism have set the benchmark for the industry. The biorefinery has also played a pivotal role in advancing UPM’s business in renewable fuels and chemicals—building technical know-how, opening new markets, and laying the foundation for future developments and investments, said Robert Marx, VP of UPM Biofuels and Biorefining Commercial Development.

Crude tall oil feedstock

The UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery produces approximately 130,000 tonnes per year of UPM BioVerno renewable diesel and bio-naphtha, using crude tall oil (CTO), a residue of pulp production.

CTO stands out as a superior feedstock for renewable diesel production due to its fully traceable origin, integration in UPM’s existing value chain, and excellent sustainability profile.

Globally recognized sustainability certifications back all products. According to UPM, its UPM BioVerno renewable diesel cuts lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 80 percent, as per EU RED II compliant methodology for calculating lifecycle emissions, compared to fossil diesel, and is suitable for all diesel engines.

UPM BioVerno bio-naphtha is used in applications such as packaging, textiles, and automotive components, and it offers a sustainable alternative to fossil-based raw materials in the plastics value chain.

Explore new feedstock sources

Looking ahead, UPM continues to invest in technology development to broaden its feedstock base beyond CTO, exploring new forest-industry residues and side streams within its ecosystem.

The company is also progressing in the technical qualification of tall oil–based fuels for use in aviation – a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) – with ongoing testing under ASTM International standards showing a positive track record.

While a second biorefinery investment remains under consideration, UPM is prioritizing platform advancements and feedstock versatility to enable scalable and impactful decarbonization solutions.