UPM first invested in China in 1998 and has since invested more than USD 2 billion in the region
April 12, 2016
UPM announced the official inauguration of the Paper Machine 3 (PM3) in Changshu, China. As an important milestone for the development of UPM in China, the new paper machine will further increase production capacity while implementing the Biofore strategy. With this investment UPM will continue to provide environmentally friendly, safe and broad product portfolios for customers in China and the Asia-Pacific region.
“In UPM Changshu we will focus on value added, advanced paper products for growing segments in China and worldwide. On this site, we are also introducing totally new, innovative manufacturing technology – not only for China, but for the paper industry worldwide,” said President and CEO Jussi Pesonen in his opening speech.
In 2012, in order to meet the growing demand for paper from China and the Asia-Pacific region, UPM began to implement the PM3 Project with a total cost of EUR 277 million. The PM3 production line and process has been designed to be very flexible with a wide range of different products from uncoated woodfree papers to advanced specialty products. This swing concept of PM3 also greatly improves the efficiency of paper production and also helps to reduce energy consumption. The product portfolio of Changshu has been extended into labelling material and other specialty products to better fit customer needs. These segments are still seeing and are forecasted to see significant growth globally, but especially in this part of the world.
UPM first invested in China in 1998 and has since invested more than USD 2 billion in the region. The Changshu site is a proof of UPM’s consistent and steady commitment in China. Today, the site boasts a fully integrated production and converting capability that incorporates a paper mill, labelstock factory, Asia R&D Centre as well as an APAC Supply Chain Centre. With the new investment, UPM is able to produce 1.4 million tonnes of labelling material and fine papers for customers across the Asia Pacific region, and beyond.
