The Biofore concept car, a joint production by UPM and Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, is to premiere at the 84th Geneva International Motor Show, 6-16 March, 2014.
The unique concept car is designed to be a futuristic, street-legal vehicle which demonstrates the use of renewable biomaterials in the automotive industry.
Various parts of the concept car will be made from UPM’s biobased materials – the UPM Formi biocomposite and UPM Grada thermoformable wood material. These materials will significantly improve the overall environmental performance of the car, without compromising quality or safety. The concept car will also be fuelled by UPM BioVerno wood-based renewable diesel. UPM Raflatac label materials will be used to mark spare parts as well as in the interior and exterior design of the car.
Image credits: UPM.
Exhibiting at a world-class industry event will draw international attention to the concept car, the students and other partners involved in the building process. “From the very beginning we have aimed to showcase the car in Geneva. In fact, we have phased the project accordingly.The car has recently been painted and we are proceeding well with the interior,” states Pekka Hautala, Technology Manager from Metropolia.
“Sustainable innovations, close cooperation with future professionals and renewing with courage, have made the concept car a fine manifestation of our Biofore thinking. We are delighted that the highlight of this cooperation will take place at one of the automotive industry’s most esteemed events,” says Elisa Nilsson, Vice President of brand and communications at UPM.
In addition to UPM and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, several other partner companies and the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation are involved in the Biofore concept car project.
About UPM
Through the renewing of the bio and forest industries, UPM is building a sustainable future across 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 our customers worldwide. The Group employs around 22,000 people and our annual sales exceed € 10 billion. UPM shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki.
UPM ForMi is a new, durable, high quality biocomposite material intended for use in injection moulding production. Made of renewable fibres and plastic, the compound is safe, odourless and uniform in quality. UPM ForMi is manufactured from pure polymers and pulp, and is ideal for industrial as well as consumer product applications. UPM's supply chain and the use of renewable raw materials ensure that the new composite also has a small carbon footprint.
UPM Grada is a new thermo-formable wood material for the form pressing industry. Grada technology revitalises the forming of wood with heat and pressure and opens up new opportunities for designs not achievable with traditional methods. UPM Grada’s unique forming properties enable high quality and ecological designs which are also visually appealing.
UPM Grada - Safe, Durable, Ecological.
UPM Biofuels. UPM plans to become a major player in high quality, advanced biofuels for transport. Biofuels are an essential part of the Biofore strategy. The innovative wood-based biofuels developed by the company and their production technologies are part of the sustainable future. UPM’s biofuels are frontrunners in quality, usability and sustainability. They will significantly decrease the greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossils fuels. www.upm.com/biofuels
UPM Raflatac is one of the world’s leading suppliers of self-adhesive label materials. UPM Raflatac has a global service network consisting of 15 factories on six continents and a broad network of sales offices and slitting and distribution terminals worldwide. UPM Raflatac employs around 2,900 people and made sales of EUR 1.2 billion (USD 1.6 billion) in 2012.