The WWF Environmental Paper Company Index (EPCI) 2015 shows a positive trend towards more transparency and sustainability by the world’s more progressive pulp and paper manufacturers. The 31 voluntary participants in this year´s Index together produce 15% of the world´s paper and board and 15% of the world´s pulp. While all participating manufacturers demonstrated outstanding transparency, more than 90% of product categories reported since 2013 showed improvement. 

“The pulp and paper industry has the potential to contribute to a greener economy. The EPCI 2015 signals progress in that direction, at least by the industry’s most transparent companies,” says Emmanuelle Neyroumande, Pulp and Paper Global Manager at WWF International.

The 31 companies participating in EPCI 2015, up from 25 in 2013, disclosed the ecological footprint of 85 million tonnes of pulp and paper. This represents 30% of the world´s tissue, 28% of the world´s graphic paper, 16% of the world´s newsprint, 7% of the world´s packaging and 15% of the world´s pulp.

The EPCI 2015 participants showing leadership in transparency are (in alphabetical order) Appleton Coated, ARAUCO, Arjowiggins Graphic, BillerudKorsnäs, Bio-PAPPEL, Canfor Pulp, Cascades, Catalyst, CMPC, Crown van Gelder, Domtar, DS Smith, Fedrigoni, Fibria, ITC, Kimberly Clark, Klabin,  Lecta, Leipa, Metsä Group, Mondi, Resolute Forest Products, Rolland Enterprises Inc., SCA, Södra Cell, Sofidel, Steinbeis, Stora Enso, Suzano, TNPL/India, UPM. Access the results of the 31 participants on www.panda.org/epci2015
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The EPCI is based on voluntary data disclosure by the companies. WWF evaluated environmental policies and targets as well as environmental performance in the production of newsprint, graphic paper, tissue, packaging and pulp. Scores were assigned on responsible sourcing, clean production, Environmental Management Systems and reporting. The Index also shows progress between 2013 and 2015 for companies that have participated in both of those years.

 “Of the 80 major manufacturers invited to the EPCI 2015, 31 participated, some already for the fourth time. We invite those who declined this year to get more familiar with the tool and to join the next EPCI 2017,” says Neyroumande.

Companies who participated in the EPCI 2013 were able to increase their overall scores on more than 90% of product categories. The product category in most need for improvement is pulp, which tends to show generally lower scores than other products.
 
WWF’s Living Forests Report projects paper production and consumption may double in the next three decades, and overall wood consumption may triple.The key challenge for forest-based industries is how to supply more wood products with less impact on nature. This challenge spans the whole supply chain, from where and how wood is grown and harvested to how wisely and efficiently it is processed, used and reused.  

 “The pulp and paper sector has unique potential to supply renewable materials that help do things as diverse as share knowledge, improve sanitation and keep food safe. However, this potential is diminished if poor logging practices degrade forests and deplete carbon stores, if plantations take land away from traditional communities, if dirty pulp mills pollute air and water or if paper fit for recycling is dumped or burned. The EPCI helps us assess if industry is making good on its promise of supplying essential products with reduced impact on nature,” says Rod Taylor, Director of WWF’s Global Forest Programme.

UPM continues improving the environmental performance of its graphic and newspaper and chemical pulp production. According to the Environmental Paper Company Index (EPCI) of The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), published today, UPM's performance improved yet again year on year.

Published biannually, this Index promotes transparency and continuous improvement of the environmental performance of paper and pulp manufacturing companies. In the Index, WWF invites 80 sector leaders and evaluates their environmental policies and targets, as well as their environmental performance with regard to overall production of news, graphic, packaging and tissue papers and pulp. According to WWF, UPM has improved its performance in many ways. The company has, for example, increased the use of recycled paper and FSC certified wood in its fibre sourcing, and reduced waste to landfill in graphic paper production.

"In global business, all players should be evaluated against fair and balanced criteria," says Päivi Rissanen, Director, Environment and Responsibility.

"We participate in the WWF's EPCI every time, which is a good example of our transparency, and we are glad that our way of operating has received positive recognition. The index is a good addition to our already wide range of transparent reporting processes. We disclose mill-specific environmental information in the EMAS statements for our pulp and paper mills in Europe, China and Uruguay. On top of that, we give specific information about our products in our Paper and Pulp Profiles, available on UPM Certificate Finder," Rissanen says.

For further information:

Ms Päivi Rissanen, Director,  Environment and Responsibility, UPM Paper ENA, tel. +358 407 430 306

UPM

Through the renewing of the bio and forest industries, UPM is building a sustainable future across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Paper Asia, UPM Paper Europe and North America and UPM Plywood. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. We serve our customers worldwide. The group employs around 20,000 people and its annual sales are approximately EUR 10 billion. UPM shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. UPM - The Biofore Company - www.upm.com

After one year of work, the new tissue line of WEPA Giershagen (Germany) has been started-up on October 27, 2015, far in advance of the schedule and only 13 months after the delivery agreement signing.

By expanding the production output of tissue paper, the WEPA  will optimize the existing procurement and logistics structures in Europe, thus enhancing the competitiveness of the entire group.

Mr. Frank Folcz, Wepa Hygieneprodukte GmbH Mill Manager at Giershagen site said: “ We are very excited for this new project, the new AHEAD line will increase the site’s production of 32,000 tpy with high quality tissue. The erection of the machinery and the start-up phases were optimally performed thanks to the experienced collaboration between Toscotec and Wepa teams.” 

The turn key Toscotec delivery for the new TM#19, based on the best available technology, included a stock preparation system for virgin pulp, an AHEAD-2.0S tissue machine, TM and plant auxiliaries, electrification & control systems. Full engineering, erection, erection supervision, training, start-up and commissioning completed the Toscotec’s scope of supply.

With a design speed of 2.000 mpm, the tissue machine is equipped with  single layer headbox, double press configuration, TT SYD-15FT and Milltech Hood, Dust & Mist removal system.

The new line will produce, among the other grades, high-quality super-soft toilet tissue.

About Toscotec S.p.A.

Toscotec is a turnkey technology supplier to the global paper industry, offering a complete suite of solutions for tissue, paper and board manufacture, as well as maintenance services for rolls and cylinders. Based in Lucca, Italy, and with subsidiaries in China and the USA, Toscotec’s tradition of innovation, energy saving and partnership with customers dates back to its foundation in 1948. Since 2013 Toscotec has been the market leader in tissue machines sales.

EVG to participate into the delivery of the new FBB production line at Kotkamills Oy in Kotka, Finland.

EVG has been chosen as the supplier for the ventilation equipment for the extensive conversion of the existing printing paper machine PM2 in Kotka to a folding boxboard (FBB) BM2 production line.  The 5970 mm wide machine will after the rebuild produce different FBB grades in the basis weight window of 150 – 500 g/m2 and with a yearly capacity of approximately 400.000 tons.

The EVG ventilation delivery will include new wet end process exhausts and forming section wire and felt cleaning equipment, a completely new high humidity closed hood for the pre-dryer section, new efficient pocket ventilation system for the extended pre-dryer section and several processpulper exhausts. The delivery is to include both process novelties and tailor-made technical solutions, this to enable a maintenance and energy efficient daily run of the production line. In addition to the new equipment existing process ventilation equipment will be re-used, when and where applicable.

Furthermore to the process ventilation delivery also an extension of the existing machine hall ventilation, targeting for improved building ventilation and working conditions both for the new BM2 and the existing PM1, is part of the total EVG delivery. New supply air units with a total capacity of over 100 m³/s will be located into different parts of the buildings, taking into account both process requirements and overall ventilation improvement targets.

The overall delivery includes also the installation and start-up assistance services. The start-up of the new production line is scheduled for the early summer 2016.

This total ventilation equipment delivery will be, by several measures, one of the largest in the over 20 years history of EVG.

For more information, please contact:
Esa Virtanen, , +358 500 829 393 
Mika Hovilainen, , +358 50 413 4848

Metso is opening a new service center specialized in process valve and field equipment solutions in Gothenburg, Sweden. The investment supports the company's strategy to grow its service capabilities globally.

The 1,700 square meter facility comprises a valve service center, Metso sales office and training facilities. The center is ideally located in the Gothenburg area close to the pulp & paper and oil & gas customers situated on the west coast of Sweden. It will also play a key role in supporting Södra Cell's Värö pulp mill expansion project.

With deep valve industry and process knowledge, Metso's skilled professionals service products using Metso original spare parts and service procedures. For customers, this new service center will ensure the same quality and warranty for the reconditioned products as Metso offers for new products. Services are performed according to Metso quality, safety and environmental procedures, which are ISO 9000 certified.

"Metso is continuously improving its service capability and scope of offering to help our customers ensure outstanding long-term process performance with high reliability and safety. The new service center in the Gothenburg area strengthens Metso's position to stage, test and service large numbers of valves to meet our customers' high-volume, fast-turnaround repair and service needs during scheduled plant shutdowns," says Tom Adolfsson, Sales and Service Director, Sweden, Flow Control, Metso. 

Metso's flow control services are available through more than 40 service centers worldwide. Services are provided for Metso and third-party field devices, including valves, actuators, smart devices and pumps. In addition, the service centers provide spare parts, field support and diagnostic services as well as training programs. Building on these technical services, Metso offers business solutions, such as Intelligent Shutdown, Intelligent Maintenance, Device Management and Control Performance, to optimize maintenance, reliability and production efficiency.

Leading flow control offering and service solutions

Metso's valve technology centers and valve production facilities are located in Finland, the United States, Germany, China, South Korea, India and Brazil.

Metso has solid experience in delivering engineered performance and reliability to the oil and gas, pulp and paper, and power customers through its leading product brands - Neles^®, Jamesbury^® and Mapag^® - and has delivered millions of control valves and on-off valves globally over the last 90 years. Metso's extensive Neles^® control valve offering also includes standard and severe service globe valves, which offer reliability to most critical processes and operate at extreme pressures and temperatures. Additionally, Metso has become the leading supplier of intelligent valve controllers.

Metso is the world's leading industrial company in the mining and aggregates industries and in the flow control business. Our knowledge, people and solutions help drive sustainable improvements in performance and profitability in our customers' businesses.

Metso has an uncompromising attitude towards safety. Our products range from mining and construction equipment and systems to industrial valves and controls. Our solutions are delivered and supported by decades of process knowledge and a broad scope of services backed by a global footprint of over 90 service centers, thousands of service employees, and an extensive logistics network.

Metso is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland. In 2014, Metso's net sales totaled EUR 3.7 billion. Metso employs approximately 13,000 industry experts in more than 50 countries. Expect results.

Last year, Stora Enso announced an investment of EUR 27 million to increase the capacity of Consumer Board Machine 5 at Imatra mills in Finland. The investment is now ready.

In addition to a capacity increase of 20 000 tonnes, the investment also enables quality enhancements and cost-competitiveness in global markets.

"With the investment, we have anticipated the demands of our customers for their brands. The quality and capacity that we have now achieved will keep us on the cutting edge of the industry," says Marko Pekkola, Head of Operations Consumer Board.

"We're now able to produce more general packaging, like multipacks for yoghurt, as well as more liquid packaging board for the packaging of milk and juice, for example. The new production capacity goes to European and global markets," he continues.

The investment in the Tainionkoski unit was realised in two phases this year, one phase in June and the other in August/September during the mill's scheduled maintenance stoppage.

"Our customers are positive about this change, and we have worked in close cooperation with them. There were no breaks in our deliveries during the transition time," Pekkola says.

The investment required a fair amount of technical planning. The focus of the investment was on the coating part of the board machine and on modernising the winder and reel packaging section.  An experienced user group of mill employees were part of the practical planning. Some occupational health and safety factors were improved with the investment as well.
 
Imatra mills consist of two units, Kaukopää and Tainionkoski. The annual capacity of the mills is over one million tonnes of board and paper. The mills employ approximately 870 people, about 90 of them work at Tainionkoski.

This winner of this year’s Pack Challenge has been chosen. The aim of this year’s challenge was to come up with a packaging concept to get more people to support UNICEF. The winning solution lets people give a superpower to someone they like and help change the world for the better. Pack Challenge is arranged annually by BillerudKorsnäs and Berghs School of Communication.

Students this year faced a real challenge: finding the best possible way of packaging a feeling that would get more people to support UNICEF’s work. The concept needed to communicate the benefits of giving, and show how that money is used, while also encouraging more people to make donations.

The competition is an integral part of the full-time Graphic Design and Production Management courses at Berghs. BillerudKorsnäs contributes lectures and study visits through which students are able to learn more about its culture of innovation. This involves constantly challenging today's approach to packaging and developing new, sustainable materials and solutions. The aim is to spark interest in packaging solutions among tomorrow’s designers, communicators and decision makers.The winning entry features five different lapel pins, each symbolising a specific superpower. The superpowers roughly translate to: Uniting Peace Particles, Love-glimmering Kiss Catapult, Infection-annihilating Super Defence, Knowledge-lifting Wisdom Power, and Supernatural Mega-boost. Each pin is encased in an envelope where the superpower is linked to the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child. When someone receives a pin, they activate their powers by choosing a lifesaving product for use in the field on UNICEF’s website.

The winning entry builds upon the idea that even small contributions can make a big difference.  Adding a whole new dimension – making lapel pins that could become collectables – helps create a solution that is as simple as it is genius.

Winning team: Evelina Wirne, Gustaf Jonshult, Sofia Ekelund and Sara Edström

Andreas Eriksson, Head of Communication at UNICEF Sweden, says, “We see major potential in the competing entries and are very impressed by the high standard of the students’ work and their commitment to UNICEF. Our operation is completely dependent on voluntary contributions, so it's important for us to find new, innovative ways to increase our fundraising.”

Read more about Pack Challenge15 at: www.packchallenge.se

For more information, please contact:

Pål Pettersson, Program Manager, Communication Design/Graphic Design, Berghs School of Communication, 070-254 02 39, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jimmy Nyström, Business Development Director, BillerudKorsnäs, 070-383 24 42, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ingeborg Ekblom, PR Manager, UNICEF Sweden, 070-995 59 16 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

BillerudKorsnäs provides packaging materials and solutions that challenge conventional packaging for a sustainable future. We are a world-leading provider of primary fibre based packaging materials and have customers in over 100 countries. The company has 8 production sites in Sweden, Finland and the UK and about 4 300 employees in over 13 countries. BillerudKorsnäs has an annual turnover of about SEK 21 billion and is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. www.billerudkorsnas.com

BillerudKorsnäs has been identified as a global leader for its actions and strategies in response to climate change and has been awarded a position on the Climate “A” List presented by CDP today.

BillerudKorsnäs is among 5% of the corporations participating in CDP’s climate change program to be awarded a position on the Climate “A” List. The purpose of the list is to recognize companies’ actions to mitigate climate change in the past reporting year. The list is requested by 822 investors representing more than a third of the world’s invested capital.

“2015 is an important year for our climate with the Paris conference COP21 as a milestone. In combating climate change all parts of society have to participate and we are extremely pleased that the dedicated efforts of BillerudKorsnäs now have been recognized by CDP. We have for many years been working hard on energy efficiency and on reducing our own greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to that we also see that our renewable packaging materials and solutions contribute by replacing fossil materials,” comments Henrik Essén, Senior Vice President Communication and Sustainability at BillerudKorsnäs.

BillerudKorsnäs is also recognized for transparency and awarded a position on the Nordic Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI). The reported data has been independently assessed against CDP’s scoring methodology and marked out of 100. Organizations graded within the top 10% in the region constitute the CDLI. BillerudKorsnäs has scored 99.

CDP, formerly Carbon Disclosure Project, is an international, non-profit organization providing a global system to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information. CDP works with market forces, including 822 institutional investors with assets of EUR 86 trillion, to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce them. More than 5,500 companies disclosed environmental information through CDP in 2015.

Read CDP’s annual global climate change report here.

For more information, please contact:

Henrik Essén, Senior Vice President Communication and Sustainability, +46 (0)73-057 38 01, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

BillerudKorsnäs provides packaging materials and solutions that challenge conventional packaging for a sustainable future. We are a world-leading provider of primary fibre based packaging materials and have customers in over 100 countries. The company has 8 production sites in Sweden, Finland and the UK and about 4 300 employees in over 13 countries. BillerudKorsnäs has an annual turnover of about SEK 21 billion and is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. www.billerudkorsnas.com

CDP, the international non-profit organisation that promotes sustainability, has identified Stora Enso as a Nordic leader in disclosing climate change data to investors and other stakeholders. In CDP’s Nordic Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI), Stora Enso receives a score of 99/100. High scores within the index indicate that a company provides robust climate data with a high level of transparency.

“Since our core business is based on renewable raw materials, we are in a unique position when it comes to controlling our carbon emissions,” says Noel Morrin, EVP Global Responsibility at Stora Enso. “Combating global warming is a top priority and our commitment to transparent reporting helps us make the right decisions that can drive change.”

In order to be ranked in the index, CDP performs an independent assessment on the company’s climate work. The constituent organisations within CDLI are ranked within the top 10% in their respective region.

Paul Dickinson, executive chairman and co-founder of CDP says: “As the world looks beyond the Paris climate change negotiations and prepares for a low carbon future, reliable information about how companies are responding to the transition will be ever more valuable. For this reason we congratulate those businesses that have achieved a position on CDP’s Climate Disclosure Leadership Index.”

At the request of 822 investors who represent EUR 86 trillion in assets, thousands of companies submit annual climate disclosures to CDP. Top scores assure investors that companies are accountable and well prepared to respond to changes in market demands and emission regulations.

For further information, please contact:
Noel Morrin, EVP Global Responsibility, tel. +46 7307 68898
Ulrika Lilja, EVP Global Communications, tel. +46 1046 71668

About CDP
CDP, formerly Carbon Disclosure Project, is an international, not-for-profit organization providing the only global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information. CDP works with market forces, including 822 institutional investors with assets of €86 trillion, to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce them. More than 5 500 companies disclosed environmental information through CDP in 2015. CDP now holds the largest collection globally of primary climate change, water and forest risk commodities information and puts these insights at the heart of strategic business, investment and policy decisions. www.cdp.net https://www.cdp.net/CDPResults/CDP-Nordic-climate-change-report-2015.pdf

Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wood and paper on global markets. Our aim is to replace non-renewable materials by innovating and developing new products and services based on wood and other renewable materials. We employ some 27 000 people in more than 35 countries, and our sales in 2014 were EUR 10.2 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY) on the International OTCQX over-the-counter market.

UPM has achieved a top position on the Nordic Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI) for the high quality of its climate change related information. UPM's score was 99 out of 100.This is already the 7^th time in a row that UPM is listed on the CDLI.

Top scores indicate a high level of transparency in the disclosure of company's climate change-related information, such as data regarding carbon emissions and the use of energy. Top scores tell investors and other key stakeholders about company's accountability and preparedness for changing market demands and emissions regulation.

The CDP Nordic Performance Leadership Index (CPLI) classifies the companies according to their activities to reduce emissions. UPM's reduction percentage was not high enough to reach A level, but the result A- indicates the overall decrease in UPM's emissions and a good result as such.

"UPM's Biofore strategy responds clearly to the global challenges regarding climate change," says Päivi Salpakivi-Salomaa, VP, Environment and Responsibility, UPM.

"Our bio-based products enhance the shift from non-renewable to renewable, carbon neutral resources. We drive innovative business solutions in technologies, resource efficiency and production," she continues. "Our most important raw material, wood, comes from forests that are significant carbon sinks. Therefore using wood from sustainably managed forests is one of the cornerstones of our climate strategy," Salpakivi-Salomaa concludes.

Paul Dickinson,executive chairman and co-founder of CDP says:

"As the world looks beyond the Paris climate change negotiations and prepares for a low carbon future, reliable information about how companies are responding to the transition will be ever more valuable. For this reason we congratulate those businesses that have achieved a position on CDP's Climate Disclosure Leadership Index."

The CDP's annual global climate change report, along with the climate scores of all companies publicly taking part in CDP's climate change program this year, is available on CDP's website.

For further information please contact:

Ms Päivi Salpakivi-Salomaa, Vice President, Environment and Responsibility, UPM, tel. +358 400 754 748

About UPM

Through the renewing of the bio and forest industries, UPM is building a sustainable future across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Paper Asia, UPM Paper Europe and North America and UPM Plywood. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. We serve our customers worldwide. The group employs around 20,000 people and its annual sales are approximately EUR 10 billion. UPM shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. UPM - The Biofore Company - www.upm.com

About CDP

CDP, formerly Carbon Disclosure Project, is an international, not-for-profit organization providing the only global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information.  CDP works with market forces, including 822 institutional investors with assets of €86 trillion, to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce them.  More than 5,500 companies disclosed environmental information through CDP in 2015. CDP now holds the largest collection globally of primary climate change, water and forest risk commodities information and puts these insights at the heart of strategic business, investment and policy decisions.  Please visit www.cdp.net or follow us @CDP to find out more.