UPM-Kymmene Oyj
UPM has worked together with the Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG) for the benefit of the Baltic Sea since 2010. In 2025 the cooperation expanded into water protection in forest management, when UPM became the first forestry company to make a Baltic Sea Commitment to promote water-sustainable forestry.
Collaboration in a seashell
UPM and BSAG have worked together for the Baltic Sea since 2010, when the cooperation began with biochar research. Over the years it has expanded to reducing the use of harmful chemicals: UPM voluntarily phased out several chemicals whose use was later banned by law. UPM has also increased the use of recycled nutrients at its wastewater treatment plants. In 2022, UPM became the first Finnish charterer to join BSAG’s Ship Waste Action initiative and started discharging the wastewater from its maritime transports ashore for further use. In 2025 the cooperation deepened further when UPM made a new Baltic Sea Commitment to advance water protection in forestry.
15+
years of cooperation for the Baltic Sea since 2010
5
long-term research plots made available for forest research
2022
first Finnish charterer to discharge cargo ship wastewater ashore
Baltic Sea Commitment
The Baltic Sea Commitment for 2025–2030 focuses on water protection in forestry. UPM promotes water-sustainable forestry by developing water protection practices, supporting research and producing training materials together with BSAG.
Commitment objectives
- Started
Water protection
• UPM commits to developing practices, guidelines and protocols related to the protection of water bodies in its sustainable wood sourcing in cooperation with BSAG, emphasising the practical solutions that have the greatest impact on local aquatic ecosystems and on the Baltic Sea.
• UPM commits to communicating about its new water protection criteria and solutions, thereby also inspiring other forest owners to adopt water-friendly forest management practices. - Started
Supporting research
• UPM commits to making available at least five long-term research plots (on mineral soils and peatlands, each 3 x 1 hectares) for research into different forest management methods as part of a wider research network, and to ensure that the plots remain freely available to research institutes after their establishment and after harvesting.
• UPM commits to identifying a suitable area on its land for research aimed at advancing, for example, the sustainable use of peatlands. The realisation of this research project depends on external funding, and UPM’s participation in the project will be determined on the basis of the project’s overall framework. - Started
Training materials
• UPM commits to taking part in the production of training material on water protection in forestry in cooperation with BSAG, and to supporting the adoption of these materials where applicable, so that sustainable practices also spread among forest owners and operators.
About the partner company
UPM-Kymmene Corporation is a Finnish material solutions company, with roots in the forest industry of the 1870s. UPM has developed from a traditional paper manufacturer into a diversified bioeconomy player. The company is headquartered in Helsinki but operates in 46 countries, with production in ten of them. The company’s portfolio—comprising renewable fibers, advanced materials, solutions that reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and communication papers—is transforming products and entire value chains. UPM employs approximately 15,100 people worldwide, with annual sales of approximately €9.7 billion.
As part of our Forest Action forest sustainability programme, we want to be at the forefront of advancing sustainable water protection practices in forestry. Our Baltic Sea cooperation with the Baltic Sea Action Group, which has now continued for more than 15 years, is an excellent way to be part of this development.
Tuomas Kara, Senior Manager, Environment and Responsibility, UPM Forest
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Together, we can do more for the Baltic Sea.
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