The Helsinki-based forest industry major has initiated an environmental impact assessment (EIA) concerning the potential set up of a biorefinery in the Port of HaminaKotka's Mussalo Harbour.

The proposed facility would use a different raw material base and technology than is currently utilised in the company's Lappeenranta Biorefinery, where biodiesel is produced out of crude tall oil. The Kotka Biorefinery would produce approx. 500kt of advanced biofuels for transportation, made from several renewable and sustainable feedstocks.

"We are looking into the use of several new feedstocks that fulfil sustainability criteria, such as wood residues and other sustainable wastes and residues. In addition to this in Uruguay we are testing a winter cropping concept with Brassica carinata for biofuels' raw material. Oil from turnip rape-related carinata would be one of the possible raw materials for the Kotka Biorefinery," Petri Kukkonen, Vice President, UPM Biofuels Development, said.

The EIA process will most likely take around one year to complete.

Photo: UPM