New biofuels feedstock: UPM receives certification for cultivation of crop in Uruguay

UPM Biofuels has received a RSB sustainability certificate for the cultivation of the Brassica carinata crop, a new feedstock for biofuel production. It is the first time an RSB (Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) certificate has been issued in Uruguay.

"RSB certification acknowledges our strong commitment to sustainability in all operations, now also in biofuel feedstock production with local farmers. This is also the first RSB certificate in Uruguay and creates new sustainable practices for agriculture," says Liisa Ranta, manager, Sustainability, UPM Biofuels Development.

The RSB certification joins the Finnish biofuels producers’ existing certification for biofuel production from ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification), and RSB certifications for the company’s UPM BioVerno biofuel production.

RSB is a European Commission approved voluntary scheme which can be used to show compliance with the Renewable Energy Directive’s sustainability criteria. As well as being evaluated against the RED’s criteria, the sustainability of biofuels is measured against 12 principles which have been approved by a wide variety of stakeholders including NGOs and UN agencies. These principles cover greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, human rights and environmental and social responsibility throughout the value chain.

Rolf Hogan, RSB’s executive director, said: “The RSB commends UPM for its continued commitment to producing sustainable biofuel. They have demonstrated leadership in the sector being the first to receive RSB certification for the production of biofuel from woodbased feedstocks and are now leading the way in Uruguay with their Brassica carinata certification. This results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions while meeting the highest standards of sustainability and transparency.”