Case study

UPM-Kymmene

The Finnish based forest giant UPM-Kymmene has been of great interest for non-governmental organisations over the world for some time now. UPM-Kymmene purchases Finnish old-growth forest timber and Indonesian rainforest pulp.

News 2000

May 17 UPM-Kymmene pulled out from Champion deal UPM-Kymmene and Champion had initially agreed on merger but International Paper finally made a better offer
>>> UPM-Kymmene press release about the Champion withdrawal / May 12
>>> The UPM-Kymmene press release about the merger / February 17

UPM-KYMMENE AGM 2000 Seven individual shareholders of UPM-Kymmene made initiatives concerning company's wood procurement from Finnish old-growth forests and its strategy for biodiversity. Shareholders also proposed Ph.D. Wallgren to the board.
>>> Summons to the Annual General Meeting
>>> Shareholders proposals

March 21 Shareholders: Philosopher Thomas Wallgren proposed to the board of directors of UPM-Kymmene >>> Press release
March 20 UPM-Kymmene Annual General Meeting faces great decisions >>> Press release

UPM-Kymmene is one of the biggest customers of the Forest and Park Service (FPS). The FPS is the main holder of Finnish old-growth forests, both protected and unprotected. The FPS continuously clearcuts unprotected old-growth forests.
Despite of demands by the customers of UPM-Kymmene, the company continues purchasing old-growth forest timber from the FPS.
>>> Declaration by Dutch paper buyers to the Finnish forest industry
>>> UPM-Kymmene clearcuts habitats of endangered Siberian jay
>>> Photo reports of Finnish old-growth forest logging

UPM-Kymmene announced an alliance with Singaporean-Indonesian APRIL in 1997. Since then, the alliance has been critized by many human rights' and environmental NGOs. UPM-Kymmene has now given up operational co-operation with APRIL in Indonesia, but continues using APRIL's rainforest pulp in its Chinese paper plant, owned together with APRIL.
>>> UPM-Kymmene/APRIL-campaign by the Friends of the Earth Finland

Take action, express your concern
>>> The Finnish Nature League activities' page
>>> The Friends of the Earth Finland activities' page