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BIOFORE
Next step
with bio-
chemicals
“We implement the UPMBiofore strategy every day,” says
Okko Ringena
, Senior Manager, Lignin Applications, and
he isn’t exaggerating. His desk is covered with an array of
patent applications, draft agreements and business reports.
His job is very challenging and versatile, just like the
current business environment in biochemicals.
Ringena works at the Biochemicals Unit in Augsburg,
Germany. He is in charge of lignin products or ‘perfor-
mance chemicals’. In addition to the lignin products, the
unit develops biofibrils and wood-based chemical building
blocks. The person in charge of the latter is
Christian
Hübsch
, Senior Manager, StrategicMarketing and Business
Development.
Demand for biochemicals growing
As well as in Germany, UPMBiochemicals also has teams
in Finland – in Lappeenranta, Otaniemi and Helsinki.
“The development of technologies andmarkets for
bio-based chemicals is incredibly dynamic, muchmore
dynamic than that of oil-based ones,” says Hübsch.
Which is no wonder in light of the obvious benefits:
the production of certain biochemicals can actually be
carbon-negative, i.e. more carbon is taken from the atmo-
sphere than emitted, and, on average, the carbon footprint
is about 80% less than that of oil-based chemicals, plus
they make the industry less dependent on uncertainties
concerning the price and supply of oil.
It has been estimated that the volume of biochemicals
required will more than double by 2020. For UPM, this
trendmeans an opportunity to grow but also presents
TEXT
HELEN MOSTER
PHOTOGRAPHY
UPM
New biochemicals
offer great development
opportunities for
the forest industry.
UPM Biochemicals
has taken the bull
by the horns and already
achieved results.