UPM Turns Production Surplus Into Architectural Innovation:

Pavilion Built From Recycled Material Makes North American Debut at Design Miami 2007 


WESTMONT, Ill., Nov. 27  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- UPM ProFi, a wood/plastic composite that is gaining popularity in Europe as an environmentally attractive "green building" material, will be introduced to North America at Design Miami, December 6-9. 

  (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071127/AQTU027-a)
  (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071127/AQTU027-b)


UPM ProFi is manufactured from surplus materials, primarily paper and plastic, left over from the production of self-adhesive label stock by UPM Raflatac, the Label Division of UPM. The process residue is sent to UPM ProFi's production facility where it is recycled and moulded into patio decking and corner protector profiles.

"The Space of Silence", a pavilion built entirely of UPM ProFi, is the result of a unique partnership of global forest industry leader UPM, renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban and Finnish design company Artek. A trailblazer in applying ecological thinking to architectural design, Ban was inspired by ProFi and sketched an exhibition space for Artek that would be built from the new wood/plastic composite. The pavilion was first presented by Artek and UPM in April at Salone Internationale del Mobile in Milan, Italy, then was reassembled for display in Helsinki, Finland. The first appearance of the pavilion in North America will be at Design Miami.

"The pavilion is a perfect match of UPM's drive in product innovation and Artek's world-class design," said Markku Koivisto, Director, UPM Corporate Venturing. Mr. Koivisto emphasized UPM's commitment to the environment and sustainability which led to the development of ProFi. "We are continuously researching new ways of reducing waste at all stages of our products' lifecycles," he said. "UPM ProFi is a great example of our sustainable approach to business and the flexibility to think across lines of business."

Besides the structure itself, UPM innovative products are showcased inside the pavilion. The floor is built of weatherproof and highly durable UPM ProFi Deck, ideal for outdoor use in patios, playgrounds, garden buildings, boardwalks and other applications. The pavilion is decorated with Artek's 2nd Cycle furnishings collection that will be brought to life with UPM Raflatac RFID (radio frequency identification) tags. The RFID tags are embedded into Artek's antique-patina designed furniture and can be read or uploaded via mobile phone, revealing the history of each item.

The media preview at Artek's exhibition pavilion "Space of Silence" is Thursday, December 6, from 6 to 7 p.m., and the exhibition is open to the public December 7-9 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The pavilion will appear in New York in 2008 at a date to be announced.

   Artek Pavilion at Design Miami/
   Miami Design District
   Palm Lot, 140 NE 39 St.
   FL 33137, USA



For photos and press materials, go to http://www.upm-kymmene.com/ > Media Relations > Press Kits > UPM at Design Miami 2007.

Notes for editors:

UPM is one of the world's leading forest products groups. The Group's sales in 2006 were EUR 10 billion, and it has about 28,000 employees. UPM's main products include printing papers, label materials and wood products. The company has production units in 14 countries and its main market areas are Europe and North America. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki and New York stock exchanges. http://www.upm-kymmene.com/

   For more information on
   UPM ProFi, please see: http://www.upmprofi.com/
   UPM Raflatac, please see http://www.upmraflatac.com/
   Artek and 2nd Cycle collection, please see: http://www.artek.fi/
   Design Miami 2007, please see http://www.designmiami.com/

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071127/AQTU027-a

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071127/AQTU027-b

http://photoarchive.ap.org/



DATASOURCE: UPM



CONTACT:  Markku Koivisto, Director, UPM Corporate Venturing,

[phone], or Sharon Pond, Communications Director, UPM North America,

[phone], or Paula Morri, Communications Specialist, UPM North America,

[phone], all of UPM; or Anna Vartiainen, Marketing and PR Manager of

Artek, [phone]



Web site:  http://www.upm-kymmene.com/

http://www.upmprofi.com/

http://www.upmraflatac.com/

http://www.artek.fi/

http://www.designmiami.com/ 

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