UPM Kymmene Corporation
UPM Kymmene is a Finnish forest products company integrating forest ownership, pulp, paper, specialty label materials, biochemicals, and hydropower to serve industrial B2B customers in packaging, pharmaceuticals, energy, and bio-based materials globally.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersHelsinki, Finland
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What UPM Kymmene Corporation does
UPM Kymmene Corporation is a Helsinki-headquartered, publicly listed Finnish forest products company (Nasdaq Helsinki: UPM) operating an integrated value chain from forest ownership through pulp, paper, specialty materials, biofuels, biochemicals, and energy generation. The company operates through multiple business divisions: UPM Adhesive Materials (premium brand UPM Raflatac plus cost-efficient UPM Intercoat) supplies self-adhesive label stock across paper, film, and adhesive chemistries to converters and brand owners in food, pharmaceutical, wine/spirits, logistics, durables, and industrial chemicals; UPM Specialty Papers produces packaging and barrier substrates; UPM Energy generates hydropower and grid-balancing services in Finland; the Leuna biorefinery in Germany is Europe's largest industrial-scale biochemical facility producing 220,000 tonnes/year of renewable sugars and biochemicals from wood-based feedstocks; and UPM Plywood (WISA) is being demerged into WISA Group Plc by October 2026.
Revenue is generated predominantly through B2B direct sales with multi-year contracts to industrial enterprise customers, supplemented by a global terminal network and the MyRaflatac online portal for label stock ordering, and merchant/reseller channels for graphic self-adhesive sheets and sticky notes. FY2025 sales reached EUR 9,656 million (a 6.6% decline from EUR 10,339 million in 2024), with comparable EBIT of EUR 921 million and operating cash flow of EUR 1,405 million; Q1 2026 sales of EUR 2,505 million produced EUR 274 million comparable EBIT at a 10.9% margin. The company is undergoing material portfolio restructuring: a 50/50 European graphic paper JV with Sappi is in EU merger review (EUR 1,420M enterprise value, EUR 100M expected annual synergies), the Plywood business is being demerged as WISA Group Plc, and the Ettringen paper mill was permanently closed in December 2025 — all aimed at concentrating capital on bio-based growth platforms and shedding structurally challenged graphic paper capacity.
UPM Kymmene Corporation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UPM Kymmene Corporation
- Legal name
- UPM-Kymmene Corporation
- Website
- https://upm.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- UPM Kymmene is a Finnish forest products company integrating forest ownership, pulp, paper, specialty label materials, biochemicals, and hydropower to serve industrial B2B customers in packaging, pharmaceuticals, energy, and bio-based materials globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UPM Kymmene Corporation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Forest Products and Bio-based Materials
- NAICS
- Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing (326)
- SIC
- Converted Paper & Paperboard Prods (No Contaners/Boxes) (2670), Lumber & Wood Products (No Furniture) (2400), Forestry (800)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films) (IMALAMAB)
Keywords
Where UPM Kymmene Corporation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Helsinki
- HQ country
- Finland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices10 records
Markets served
UPM Kymmene Corporation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Pulp and Paper Products: Traditional pulp and paper manufacturing including graphic papers, specialty papers, and pulp products. The company has initiated strategic portfolio restructuring including paper mill closures and joint venture plans with Sappi for European graphic paper business amid declining demand.
- Specialty Materials and Label Products: UPM Raflatac label materials, UPM Intercoat cost-efficient labels, graphic films, sticky notes, and industrial removables sold to label printers and converters globally.
- Biofuels and Biochemicals: Renewable fuels and biochemicals from biorefineries including the Leuna biorefinery producing industrial sugars and biochemicals for industrial decarbonization.
- UPM Energy: Hydropower and energy generation in Finland with record Q1 2026 results. Grid-balancing ultracapacitor investments and renewable energy support services.
- Plywood and Wood Products: WISA plywood products including specialty products like LNG Spruce plywood for LNG transportation. Business being demerged into WISA Group Plc.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B industrial pricing through direct sales |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
UPM Kymmene Corporation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UPM is a Finnish forest products company that manufactures and sells bio-based materials including self-adhesive label materials (UPM Raflatac), graphic and specialty papers, plywood (WISA), biofuels, biochemicals from its Leuna biorefinery in Germany, and renewable hydropower electricity. Its products are sold to industrial converters, label printers, packaging manufacturers, and energy markets globally.
Product overview
UPM Kymmene Corporation is a Finnish forest products company operating through distinct business divisions. UPM Adhesive Materials is one of the world's leading self-adhesive materials suppliers, offering a comprehensive portfolio organized around premium brand UPM Raflatac and cost-efficient alternative UPM Intercoat. The product portfolio spans paper labels (coated, uncoated, direct thermal), film labels (PP, PE, PET, PVC), and specialty adhesives (permanent, removable, wash-off). Specialty offerings include pharmaceutical labels (PharmaSure), industrial chemical labels (Endurance), wine/spirits labels (Vetro), food packaging labels, logistics labels, and durable goods labels. Sustainable solutions include RAFNXT+, Vanish PCR, Forest Film, Ocean Action, Wash-off labels, New Wave papers, and Carbon Action products. Graphics Solutions operates Grafityp, Metamark, and Intercoat brands for signage, vehicle wrapping, and digital printing. Specialty Tapes includes sticky notes (UPM Notes, inFO, UPM Protect) and industrial removables (DecorEase, micro-tac). Supporting services include RafCycle liner recycling, Label Life LCA assessment, and MyRaflatac customer portal. The company also operates in plywood (WISA brand), energy (UPM Energy), biochemicals (Leuna biorefinery), and biofuels businesses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- UPM Raflatac: Premium self-adhesive label materials for various industries including food packaging, pharmaceuticals, wine and spirits
- UPM Intercoat
- WISA
- UPM Forest Film
- UPM Rafnxt+
- UPM Vetro
- UPM PharmaSure
- UPM Endurance
- UPM ProCycle
- RafCycle
- Label Life
- UPM Notes
- inFO
- UPM DecorEase
- micro-tac
- WISA BioBond
Products and services
- UPM Raflatac Self-Adhesive Label Materials Premium self-adhesive label stock including paper face materials (coated, uncoated, direct thermal), film face materials (PP, PE, PET, PVC), and specialty pressure-sensitive adhesives (permanent, removable, wash-off). Serves label printers and converters in food packaging, pharmaceuticals, wine and spirits, industrial chemicals, and durables applications globally.
- UPM Intercoat Label Materials Cost-efficient label materials providing dependable bulk solutions for high-volume and price-sensitive segments including FMCG, household goods, logistics, and general packaging applications.
- UPM PharmaSure Pharmaceutical Labels Label materials and adhesives specifically designed for pharmaceutical and healthcare packaging, featuring low migration properties, cryogenic resistance, and compliance with EMA, FDA, and IPAC-RS guidelines for vials, syringes, ampoules, IV bags, and vaccines.
- UPM Endurance Industrial Chemical Labels Label solutions for industrial chemical packaging designed to resist heat, oxidation, water, and UV light. Includes BS5609 marine certified materials and solutions for drums, IBCs, and pails.
- UPM Vetro Wine and Spirits Labels Premium label materials for wine, liquor, and craft beer packaging featuring UPM Vetro adhesives for reliable glass adhesion, wet strength, and ice bucket resistance, with sustainable options including Forest Film and Vanish PCR.
- UPM Durable Labels Labels for durable goods requiring long-term adhesion through heat, chemicals, solvents, water, and outdoor conditions. Includes UL-recognized materials and solutions for automotive, electronics, home appliances, and industrial applications.
- Sticky Notes and Self-Adhesive Office Products Sticky notes and self-adhesive products including UPM Notes (high-performing pads and cubes), inFO (Z-notes, roll notes, page markers), and UPM Protect (self-adhesive surface protection paper).
- Industrial Removables (DecorEase, micro-tac) Self-adhesive materials for industrial and non-industrial applications including DecorEase (removable wallpaper), micro-tac Washi (washi tape material), micro-tac Protect (masking paper), onserts, and contract coating services.
- Graphics Solutions (Grafityp, Metamark) Graphics films and solutions including Grafityp (cast films for car wrapping, PVC-free films, solvent-based adhesives) and Metamark (recyclable films, road traffic markings). Covers outdoor advertising, automotive wrapping, wall graphics, and digital printing.
- WISA-LNG Spruce Plywood Specialty plywood product for LNG transportation developed in collaboration with GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz). Uses sustainable adhesives and improves capacity and flexibility in LNG carrier construction.
- WISA Plywood Products WISA plywood products for construction, transportation, and industrial applications including specialty products like WISA BioBond with improved Environmental Product Declaration results.
- Pulp Products Market pulp products from UPM pulp mills in Finland sold to industrial paper and board manufacturers globally. Production subject to temporary curtailments at Kaukas (6 weeks from August 3, 2026) and potential Pietarsaari shutdown in October 2026.
- Graphic Papers Graphic paper products from UPM Communication Papers division. Ettringen paper mill in Germany permanently closed December 31, 2025, reducing capacity by 270,000 tonnes annually. Business planned to be combined with Sappi's European graphic paper business in a 50/50 joint venture.
- Specialty Papers Specialty papers including UPM Solide Lucent packaging paper used as the basis for recyclable barrier solutions for flexible food packaging.
- Leuna Biorefinery Biochemicals Renewable biochemicals from the Leuna biorefinery in Germany, Europe's largest industrial-scale biorefinery with EUR 1.3 billion investment. Production capacity of 220,000 tonnes per year of biochemicals including industrial sugars for industrial decarbonization.
- Renewable Biofuels Renewable fuels produced from wood-based feedstocks for transportation and industrial use, supporting industrial decarbonization. Rotterdam Biofuels Refinery project discontinued in 2025 to focus on other growth areas.
- UPM Energy Hydropower Electricity Hydropower electricity generation and grid balancing services in Finland. Six-megawatt ultracapacitor commissioned at Kuusankoski hydropower plant in November 2025 tripled grid-balancing capacity. Record Q1 2026 results with EUR 100 million contribution.
- ForestGuard Label System Labeling solution combining FSC-certified label materials with cloud-based forest data for product traceability and climate impact communication. Links physical labels with verified forest information including region, certification, species mix, and carbon metrics accessible via QR code or data matrix.
- UPM Circular Renewable Black Bio-based, NIR-detectable, carbon-negative pigment derived from renewable lignin for premium packaging, addressing recycling challenges associated with traditional carbon black pigments.
- Recyclable Barrier Solution for Flexible Food Packaging Customizable recyclable barrier solution for flexible food packaging built on UPM Solide Lucent packaging paper, offering adjustable levels of barrier protection against oxygen, moisture, and grease for compliance with EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
- Bio-based Paper Food Packaging Solution Bio-based and paper-based food packaging concept combining UPM's barrier base papers with Paramelt's water-based Aquavate Bio SB 2383 coating, validated as home compostable and compatible with existing packaging production lines. Targets bakery, fast food, and convenience applications.
- RafCycle Label Release Liner Recycling Service Label release liner recycling service partnership that turns label waste into a resource, helping converters save costs, cut emissions, and support circularity in the labeling process.
- Label Life LCA Assessment Service Life cycle assessment service that evaluates the environmental impact of labeling processes based on standardized LCA methodology, helping identify means for improvement in sustainable packaging design.
Quantifiable outcome
- EUR 1,405 million operating cash flow in 2025
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use UPM Kymmene Corporation
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
UPM Kymmene Corporation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
UPM Kymmene Corporation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Felix SchoellerflagshipJoint development of customizable recyclable barrier solution for flexible food packaging based on UPM Solide Lucent packaging paper. Provides adjustable barrier protection against oxygen, moisture, and grease for EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation compliance.
- ParameltcoreJoint development of bio-based paper food packaging concept combining UPM's barrier base papers with Paramelt's water-based Aquavate Bio SB 2383 coating. Both validated as home compostable, compatible with existing packaging production lines. Targets bakery, fast food, and convenience applications.
- Mark AndyflagshipStrategic partnership renewed for seventh consecutive year, combining UPM's sustainable labeling materials with Mark Andy's printing technologies. Partnership serves label printing markets in Americas and Europe across conventional, hybrid, and digital printing presses. UPM materials featured at Mark Andy demo centers.
- VersowoodcoreStrategic partnership finalized with regulatory approval. Versowood supplies high-quality pulpwood and sawmill by-products to UPM's pulp mills in Finland. UPM supplies logs to Versowood's sawmills. UPM's Korkeakoski sawmill transferred to Versowood with UPM receiving minority shareholding.
- Sappi LimitedcoreNon-binding letter of intent to form 50/50 joint venture combining UPM's Communication Papers business with Sappi's European graphic paper business. Expected enterprise value of EUR 1,420 million with annual synergies of EUR 100 million. Deal expected to close end of 2026, currently in EU merger control Phase II.
- GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz)coreCollaboration to develop WISA-LNG Spruce plywood using sustainable adhesives for improved capacity and flexibility in LNG carrier construction.
- Nova ComplexminorSingapore-based company signed conditional purchase agreement with UPM for land in Kouvola, Finland to develop data center project involving retrofitting existing buildings and new construction.
- Cefic (European Chemical Industry Council)minorUPM joined Cefic to strengthen the role of renewable chemistry in Europe and support Europe's industrial decarbonization through bio-based solutions and biorefinery operations.
- MetamarkcoreAcquisition of UK-based graphics sector manufacturer Metamark to accelerate growth in graphics solutions segment.
- GrafitypcoreAcquisition to accelerate growth in graphics solutions, adding cast films for car wrapping, PVC-free films, and solvent-based adhesives to UPM's portfolio.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
UPM Kymmene Corporation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mondi Group: UK-listed European paper and packaging group with containerboard, kraft paper, and flexible packaging operations — directly comparable in sustainable fiber-based packaging solutions.
- Billerud: Swedish paper and packaging materials producer with kraft paper and dissolving pulp operations; comparable in sustainable fiber-based materials serving packaging converters and industrial customers.
- Stora Enso: Finnish-Swedish forest products peer with overlapping pulp, paper, packaging, and biomaterials businesses; direct Nordic competitor to UPM in graphic papers and bio-based materials.
- Sappi Limited: South African-headquartered global forest products company and UPM's planned 50/50 joint venture partner in European graphic papers; directly comparable in coated woodfree papers, dissolving pulp, and specialty papers.
- Avery Dennison: Global leader in pressure-sensitive label materials with overlapping specialty adhesives, sustainable label substrates, and RFID solutions; closest direct competitor to UPM Raflatac in label stock.
- CCL Industries: World's largest specialty label company serving healthcare, consumer durables, and premium segments; competes directly with UPM Raflatac in healthcare labels (CCL Healthcare) and premium label applications.
- Sylvamo: US-based uncoated freesheet paper company spun out of International Paper; comparable in graphic paper exposure and faces similar structural decline headwinds.
- LINTEC Corporation: Japanese specialty paper and label materials manufacturer with pressure-sensitive adhesive labels and specialty papers; comparable to UPM Raflatac in adhesive label technology and Asian market presence.
Broad incumbents
- Smurfit Westrock: Global paper-based packaging giant formed from Smurfit Kappa–WestRock merger; broad incumbent with containerboard, corrugated, and consumer packaging overlapping UPM's specialty paper and packaging exposure.
- International Paper: World's largest pulp and paper producer with diversified industrial and consumer packaging; broad incumbent offering overlapping paper and pulp capabilities at much larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat7 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
UPM Kymmene Corporation social profiles
Digital presenceUPM Kymmene Corporation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance12 records
UPM Kymmene Corporation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UPM Kymmene Corporation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
UPM Kymmene Corporation subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries9 records
UPM Kymmene Corporation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UPM Kymmene Corporation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A4 records
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about UPM Kymmene Corporation
What does UPM Kymmene Corporation do?
UPM is a Finnish forest products company that manufactures and sells bio-based materials including self-adhesive label materials (UPM Raflatac), graphic and specialty papers, plywood (WISA), biofuels, biochemicals from its Leuna biorefinery in Germany, and renewable hydropower electricity. Its products are sold to industrial converters, label printers, packaging manufacturers, and energy markets globally.
Is UPM Kymmene Corporation a public or private company?
UPM Kymmene Corporation is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was UPM Kymmene Corporation founded?
UPM Kymmene Corporation was founded in 1995. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is UPM Kymmene Corporation based?
UPM Kymmene Corporation is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, in the Europe region.
How does UPM Kymmene Corporation make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Pulp and Paper Products are the primary driver. The others are specialty Materials and Label Products, biofuels and Biochemicals, UPM Energy and plywood and Wood Products.
Who are UPM Kymmene Corporation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mondi Group, Billerud, Stora Enso, Sappi Limited, Avery Dennison, CCL Industries, Sylvamo and LINTEC Corporation. Broad incumbents are Smurfit Westrock and International Paper.
Does UPM Kymmene Corporation have an API?
No public API is recorded for UPM Kymmene Corporation.
What industry is UPM Kymmene Corporation in?
UPM Kymmene Corporation's product category is Forest Products and Bio-based Materials. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAMAB, Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films). Its NAICS code is 326 and its SIC code is 2670.