UPM Biofuels has received the European Union’s Sustainable Energy Europe Award 2014 in the “Travelling” category for its renewable crude tall oil based UPM BioVerno diesel in Brussels, Belgium. The Sustainable Energy Europe Awards reward and promote Europe’s best sustainable energy projects in the fields of energy efficiency, renewables and clean transport.
“UPM BioVerno was recognised as the winner of the Energy Europe Awards 2014 for the innovative approach in using the residue of their own pulp production, crude tall oil, as a new use in raw material for the production of advanced biofuels to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The production supports the local economy, and it is not imported fuel. UPM BioVerno is a high quality product, drop-in diesel that can be used with no need to change vehicles,” stated the jury, headed by Maria Da Graça Carvalho.
Winners were selected by a high level jury which includes representatives from European institutions, European governments, energy agencies, specialist media and industry associations, and announced at the 2014 Awards Ceremony, hosted by EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger on 24 June in Brussels. The award was presented by Marie Donnelly, Director of the Directorate-General for Energy in the European Commission.
This year 342 projects from 31 different countries were submitted and 30 were selected to compete in the final round by nine technical experts on the Technical Advisory Committee. Renewable UPM BioVerno diesel, produced from tall oil, a residue of the pulp making process, was one of the five finalists in the “Travelling” category.
Unique Finnish advanced diesel innovation
UPM BioVerno diesel is a unique Finnish innovation. UPM’s renewable diesel helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly compared to fossil diesel. UPM is building the world’s first commercial scale wood-based biorefinery in Lappeenranta, Finland. The biorefinery will start production in summer 2014 and will produce approximately 100,000 tonnes of renewable UPM BioVerno diesel each year. This production will cover a quarter of Finland’s 2020 renewable energy target in transportation. UPM BioVerno can be used in any diesel engine – car, bus or truck – without modification.
“During the last few years we have made progress with remarkable R&D work and important investments for developing sustainable wood-based biofuels. We are commissioning the Lappeenranta Biorefinery this summer. This recognition confirms that we have managed to make significant progress in sustainable advanced biofuels,” says Sari Mannonen, Sales & Marketing Director of the UPM Biofuels Business.
EU’s Sustainable Energy Week
The Sustainable Energy Europe Awards competition is part of EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), an initiative set up by the European Commission that first took place in 2006. EU Sustainable Energy Week showcases activities dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions. It is designed to spread best practices, inspire new ideas and build alliances to help meet the EU’s energy and climate goals.
This year’s Sustainable Energy Europe Awards ceremony was fully integrated into the High Level Policy Conference and Interactive Exhibition in Brussels, where the nominated projects were presented.
