UPM and Tongji University cooperation begins with a design competition in China
(UPM, Helsinki, 7 May, 2015) - UPM and Shanghai-based Tongji University Sino-Finnish Centre partner to arrange a design competition, UPM Biofore Awards China, for high-end designers and design students in China. The purpose of the contest is to create an innovative symbol for UPM's Biofore concept in China.
"We are pleased to cooperate with the esteemed and innovative Tongji University", says Elisa Nilsson, Vice President, Brand and Communications at UPM. "The symbol we are looking for via this competition should manifest the central aspects of Biofore: sustainable future, sound environmental performance, renewability and recyclability, and innovativeness. Moreover, it should be inspiring and exciting", Nilsson continues.
The entries must include the word Biofore in Chinese and a visual element describing its content. The word Biofore stems from the integration of bio and forest industries. "Bio" stands for life, sustainable solutions and good environmental performance. "Fore" implies the forest and UPM's position at the forefront of development.
The visual element can be an image, a video or an animation, a 3D model, a totally new product or service concept, an idea for a building, or a combination of all these - the designers are asked to use their creativity and imagination freely.
"At the core of Biofore is a sustainable future where non-renewable materials are replaced by renewable and recyclable wood-based biomaterials. A future where both people and the environment are doing well. This is also the story we would like the new symbol to tell in a compelling way", Nilsson concludes.
The deadline for the first phase of the contest is the 31st of May. The winners of this phase will be published and awarded the 5th of June. The top entries from stage one are invited to participate in the second phase of the contest. The final winners will be published in early 2016.
More information about the contest:
www.bioforeawardschina.upm.com
For further information, please contact:
Elisa Nilsson, Vice President, Brand and Communications, UPM, tel. +358 (0)204 16 7806
About UPM
UPM leads the reformation of the bio and forest industries. We are building a sustainable future in 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 a global base of customers. We employ approximately 20,000 people and our annual sales are approximately EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. UPM - The Biofore Company - www.upm.com
About Tongji University Sino-Finnish Centre
Sino-Finnish Centre aims to create a strategic paradigm in innovative education, research and practice. Sino-Finnish Centre is a joint effort of Tongji University in China and Aalto University in Finland. It is a hotspot for people who want to make their ideas into reality. The philosophy of Sino-Finnish Centre is that by bringing students, companies and researchers together, extraordinary outcomes will emerge. www.sinofinnishcentre.org
