UPM makes new appointment to lead biofuels platform

UPM has appointed Christian Librera as senior vice president biofuels to lead the company’s biofuels business platform.
“While electric vehicles take an increasing share of passenger transport, advanced biofuels will continue to play a key role in reducing transport emissions in modes such as trucking, large scale passenger transport, maritime and notably aviation. They will be a relevant part of a sustainable fuel mix alongside e-fuels and electricity in the decades to come,” said Winfried Schaur, executive vice president biorefining and technology at UPM.
“Our innovative, sustainable solutions to replace fossil-based materials in fuels and chemicals are a cornerstone of UPM group’s future growth and I am very happy that we will further increase our capabilities in biofuels with the appointment of Christian Librera.”
Librera joins UPM coming from Clariant where he had been leading the biofuels & derivatives business since 2020.
He holds a PhD in organic chemistry and has built a career in the chemicals industry, holding various senior management positions with technical and commercial responsibilities in Clariant and before that in Celanese. He will report to Winfried Schaur, EVP technology & biorefining and join the UPM Biorefining management.
“The pathway to a world beyond fossils runs through renewable, sustainably sourced biomaterials. UPM is in the vanguard to meet the huge challenge to transform multiple industries to move away from fossil carbon. I am joining UPM Biofuels at a very exciting time: the team has built a robust business and laid the foundations for future growth with a pipeline of innovation and investment,” added Christian Librera.
Christian Librera will complement the existing Biofuels leadership team in their effort to further expand the position in the market, including the preparations for a potential investment of a new biorefinery in Rotterdam, and building on the success of the existing Lappeenranta Biorefinery in Finland.