UPM Leuna Biorefinery Earns Triple Sustainability Certification
- Commercial production at the Leuna site is expected to begin in the second half of 2025.
- The biorefinery produces UPM BioPura™ (BioMEG), BioMPG, UPM BioMotion™ RFF, and industrial sugars.
- The facility sources FSC™ or PEFC-certified hardwood from regional forests.
- The opportunity pipeline exceeds the annual capacity of the refinery.
Triple Certification Achievement
The Leuna biorefinery in Germany has received ISCC PLUS, PEFC, and FSC™ chain-of-custody certifications. These certifications ensure that all wood-based feedstocks are sourced from sustainably managed forests and are fully traceable through third-party auditing schemes.
Sustainable Production
The biorefinery uses FSC™ or PEFC-certified hardwood from regional forests to produce advanced biochemicals. These include UPM BioPura™ (BioMEG), BioMPG, UPM BioMotion™ RFF (Renewable Functional Fillers), and industrial sugars, which are designed to replace fossil-based materials in industries such as automotive, textiles, and packaging.
Production Timeline
Commercial production at the Leuna site is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025. The facility is the world’s first industrial-scale biorefinery of its kind, converting wood into advanced biochemicals at scale.
Market Demand
There is significant commercial interest in the products and side streams from the biorefinery, with an opportunity pipeline that exceeds the annual capacity of the facility. This indicates strong market demand for sustainable biochemical solutions.
Industry Recognition
UPM is recognized for its industry-leading practices, being the only forest and paper company listed in both the Dow Jones World and European Sustainability Indices for 2024–2025. It is also included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook, highlighting its position among top-performing companies globally.