Magazine Papers Win EU Flower Certificate

The European EU Flower eco-label certificate has been given to UPM for its magazine, bag and sack papers from the company's Augsburg, Steyrermuhl, Jamsankoski and Pietarsaari paper mills.

Within the last year, 10 other UPM mills have been awarded the certificate, added the company.

UPM claimed that it is one of the first paper manufacturers to be awarded the EU Flower for its products.

To receive the European eco-label, paper producers must meet regulations on emissions to water and air, as well as on waste management and the reduction of energy consumption.

As part of the EU Flower assessment criteria, manufacturers must also meet a range of environmental and sustainable requirements.

UPM said it had to demonstrate the origin of all fibres and that more than 10 per cent of fibres are sourced from certified sustainable managed forests.

In addition, producers have to be committed to the increasing use of environmentally sound products during manufacturing.

The first UPM papers to successfully apply for the EU Flower were office papers manufactured at UPM's mills in Europe.

Soon after that, fine paper grades sold under UPM's own trademark and made at Papeteries de Docelles, Kymi and Nordland Papier, as well as UPM Eco magazine paper produced at Schongau mill, were awarded the EU Flower.

Last July magazine papers produced at the Jamsankoski, Kaipola, Kajaani, Kaukas and Rauma Finnish paper mills joined them.

Supported by the European Commission and all EU member states the eco-label offers guidance to consumers and buyers that wish to purchase products with superior environmental performance.

Soren Slotte, UPM's vice president of sales and marketing for packaging papers, said: "The EU Flower is a proof of a product's good overall environmental performance and thus low environmental impact.

With the EU Flower, we want to demonstrate that our papers meet comprehensive criteria and are environmentally sound.".

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