UPM Raflatac's Mills River factory first in North Carolina to be powered by 100% renewable energy

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(UPM Raflatac, Mills River, NC, USA, June 27, 2019 at 17:00 EET) - UPM Raflatac, a global leader in the manufacture of pressure sensitive label materials, is proud to announce that its factory in Mills River is the first manufacturing facility in North Carolina whose electrical supply is generated entirely by renewable sources through Charlotte-based Duke Energy's NC Renewable Energy Program.

This year, the Mills River factory opted to increase its renewable electricity use from 4 percent to 100 percent. Renewable electricity is generated from sources like wind, solar and hydropower. UPM Raflatac has a 2030 target to reduce fossil CO2 emissions from its operations and purchased electricity by 30 percent. The switch to 100 percent renewable electricity for the Mills River facility is a major step toward meeting that target.

The use of renewable electricity is a key component of UPM Raflatac's Biofore Site(TM) program, which aims to improve the sustainability performance of the company's manufacturing sites. The program includes a Biofore Site scorecard with approximately 30 sustainability measures, including energy use, aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are the framework that governments, business and civil society use to drive the sustainability agenda. The Biofore Site scorecard is also a tool to make the company's sustainability performance more tangible and transparent for its employees and others.   

"We are proud to be North Carolina's first manufacturing facility to boast 100 percent renewable electricity use," says Ari Salminen, the General Manager of UPM Raflatac's Mills River factory. "It is just one way we are labeling a smarter future beyond fossils and leading the way for positive change in our state." 

"UPM Raflatac continually strives to be a leader in sustainable labeling," adds Laura Cummings, UPM Raflatac's Director, Health, Safety and Environment. "Sustainability is in our DNA and influences all aspects of our business, from how we select raw materials to product design, and, of course, how we manufacture products. Our sustainability actions around the world demonstrate that UPM Raflatac is the partner of choice for customers, end-users, suppliers and other stakeholders."

"Through our REC program, Duke Energy is working with large customers to secure renewable energy credits that will quicken their goal to promote a greener energy mix," said Christy Daniel, managing director, Renewable Customer Solutions and Programs. "Our knowledge of the energy market can help companies like UPM Raflatac achieve this in a cost-effective way."

For more about UPM Raflatac's Biofore Site concept and other sustainability actions, please click here.

Click here to download photos UPM Raflatac's factory in Mills River, NC » http://pet.upm.com/l/sXbDzwS7MPnV

For more information, please contact:

Scott Sowers
Senior Communications Specialist, UPM Raflatac
Mon-Fri 8.00-15.00 ET
tel. +1 828-275-7261
scott.sowers@upmraflatac.com


UPM, Media Relations
Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00 EET
tel. +358 40 588 3284
media@upm.com

UPM Raflatac
UPM Raflatac is labeling a smarter future by developing innovative and sustainable labeling solutions complemented with world-class service. As one of the world's leading producers of self-adhesive label materials, we supply high-quality paper and film label stock for consumer product and industrial labeling through a global network of factories, distribution terminals and sales offices. We employ around 3,000 people and made sales of sales of EUR 1.5 billion (USD 1.9 billion) in 2018. UPM Raflatac is part of UPM - The Biofore Company. Find out more at www.upmraflatac.com.

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UPM
We deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. We employ around 19,000 people worldwide and our annual sales are approximately EUR 10.5 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. UPM Biofore - Beyond fossils. www.upm.com

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