UPM from Finland starts the second generation transport biofuel development and production

UPM is planning to build a biofuels plant at the Kaukas mill site in Lappeenranta. In the first phase the plant will serve mainly as a test and training facility.

This information was given by Arto Juvonen from UMP-The Biofore company. UPM aims to become a major player in Europe in the production of renewable second generation biofuels that are currently in the development and piloting stage. Sustainability of operations has been one of the main criteria for the development of the biofuels business, which is why UPM’s production for biofuels will not be based on materials suitable for food.
The raw material to be used in the production of 2nd generation biodiesel would mainly consist of energy wood: logging residues, wood chips, stumps and bark. Locating a biorefinery adjacent to an existing UPM pulp or paper mill would enhance the ability to utilise wood raw material efficiently and minimise the required capital investments.
In 2nd generation biodiesel UPM has been developing together with Andritz/Carbona, the gasification technology needed to produce biofuel from forest energy wood. The initial testing programme was completed in the USA as planned. Finalisation of the technical concept will continue in 2010.
UPM has also been developing a new bioethanol and energy production concept that, for the first time, utilises commercial and industrial waste. The concept has been tested in pilot runs in co-operation with the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) and Pöyry.
In addition, UPM, Metso and Fortum together with VTT have developed a new concept for the production of energy wood based bio oil to replace fossil fuels in heating and power generation. In this concept, production of bio oil would be integrated into UPM’s own biomass-based power plants. The technology used in combined bio oil and renewable energy production is patented.
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a biorefinery producing 2nd generation biofuels has been completed in Finland, in Kuusankoski and Rauma, and is ongoing and expected to be competed by the end of the year in France at UPM's Stracel paper mill site. In May 2010, UPM started an EIA for a biofuels plant in Lappeenranta, Finland. UPM is planning to build a biofuels plant at the Kaukas mill site in Lappeenranta. In the first phase the plant would serve mainly as a test and training facility.
Another finish biofuel project has been also presented in the past days. Finish company Nesto Oil has developed the NexBTL fuel – which is almost the same as UPM is going to produce. This product is launching for the market at the moment. However Neste Oil plant is located in Singapore.