(UPM Shanghai, 2 October 2015, at 09:30 EET) – The 10th of September 2015 marks a significant turn towards more responsibly sourced paper and pulp products in China. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), The Chinese Forestry Industry Association and the leading producers and buyers of paper and pulp products have established The China Sustainable Paper Alliance (CSPA) to promote the development of responsible sourcing and sustainable forest operations within the forest industry in China.
UPM is one of the 10 founding members of this Alliance. The members represent both domestic and international companies covering the whole supply chain of China’s pulp and paper industry. UPM is among international players such as Kimberly-Clark, Fuji Xerox, HP and IKEA as well as some locally significant players.
“China is today the world’s largest producer and consumer of paper products. At the same time the country faces challenges of deforestation and shortage of timber”, says Ma Yuanyuan, Director, Marketing, Communications and Environmental Affairs, UPM Paper Asia. “UPM as the leading producer of office papers in China acknowledges its significant role in enforcing sustainable forest industry and this also is the main driving force for joining CSPA,” Ma continues.
WWF China hopes CSPA to show the way to sustainability for other industries in China. “WWF launches this regional sustainable alliance, aiming for an overall increase of supply and demand of certified and recycled paper products in the Chinese market. We are also expecting that this initiative can inspire a transition in other industries in China", comments Dr Li Lin, Executive Program Director of WWF China.
The demand and supply of sustainably produced paper and pulp products to a rise with CSPA
The companies who join the CSPA are required to produce and purchase responsibly sourced paper and pulp products. In practical terms the companies take care of forests sustainably, know the origin of wood and ensure that all wood is legally logged. The Alliance also aims at increasing consumers’ awareness of the value of public recognitions as well as certified and recycled paper products.
“UPM is already today a frontrunner of these values. UPM Changshu Mill in China is in both the PEFC™ and FSC® international forest management schemes and our paper grades have been rated on highest level in the WWF’s Check your Paper system,” Ma tells. “UPM was actually the first paper company in China to achieve the FSC® certificate. Joining the CSPA is yet another step in enforcing sustainability on the Chinese market,”, Ma concludes.
For more information, please contact:
Yuanyuan Ma, tel. +86 186 21108686
UPM, Media Relations
Tel. +358 (0)40 588 3284
Mon-Fri from 9:00 to 16:00
media@upm.com
www.twitter.com/UPM_News
www.facebook.com/UPMGlobal
www.linkedin.com/company/upm-kymmene
UPM Paper Asia
UPM Paper Asia serves growing markets with labelling materials globally and fine paper in Asia. The main customers are retailers, printers, publishers, distributors and paper converters. UPM Paper Asia is a leader in sustainable development and high quality office papers, we have paper mills in China and Finland. Headquarter locates in Shanghai and we have about 1,700 employees in China, Finland, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Australia. www.upm.com/cn
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
WWF is the world’s leading conservation organization and works in over 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. WWF’s target is to stop the loss of biodiversity and the growth of ecological footprint. WWF was founded in 1961. www.wwf.fi