> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://review.iffw.sg/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# UPM Inaugurates the World’s Largest Wood-to-Chemicals Biorefinery in Leuna
- URL: https://review.iffw.sg/upm-inaugurates-the-worlds-largest-wood-to-chemicals-biorefinery-in-leuna/
- Published: 2026-10-20T00:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-20T00:30:01.000Z
- Description: UPM inaugurated its €1.37 billion Leuna biorefinery in Germany, which turns beechwood thinnings and sawmill residues into renewable sugars and lignin for chemicals. It has a capacity of 220,000 tonnes a year, and lignin-based specialty chemicals are already in stable operation.
- Author: Editor
- Tags: News, Renewable diesel, Land

UPM has inaugurated its biorefinery in Leuna, Germany, which converts lignocellulosic biomass, primarily beechwood from sustainably managed forests and sawmill residues, into biochemicals. With an annual capacity of 220,000 tonnes, UPM describes it as the largest facility of its kind in the world. The total investment was €1,370 million. This is a renewable chemicals project rather than a fuels project, but it belongs to UPM's wood-based biorefinery model, which also produces renewable diesel and bio-naphtha at the company's biorefinery in Lappeenranta, Finland.

### What the Plant Does 

Using enzymatic hydrolysis, the Leuna biorefinery breaks the wood down into industrial sugars and lignin, renewable raw materials that can replace fossil-based inputs in chemicals production. The feedstock is beechwood from thinnings and sawmill residues sourced within about 200 kilometres, which is unsuitable for higher-value uses such as timber or furniture. UPM says the resulting biochemicals will be used in everyday products including clothing, packaging, cosmetics, construction materials and tyres, many of which are still made from fossil-based raw materials.

### Where the Ramp-Up Stands 

Enzymatic hydrolysis and the production of lignin-derived specialty chemicals have reached stable operation, and UPM is ramping up sales of those products. The release does not give a ramp-up status for renewable glycol production, which UPM lists among its renewable chemicals, or a date for reaching full capacity.

### The Strategic Framing 

UPM CEO Massimo Reynaudo called the plant a transformative investment and said that, together with UPM's renewable fuels, it forms a platform for profitable growth. The company presents Leuna as a milestone for Europe's bioeconomy, showing renewable carbon-based solutions can move beyond pilot projects into commercial-scale manufacturing, reduce dependence on imported fossil value chains and strengthen supply security.

*Source:* [*UPM*](https://www.upm.com/news-and-stories/releases/2026/10/from-wood-to-chemicals-upm-inaugurates-pioneering-biorefinery-in-germany/?ref=review.iffw.sg)*, 15 October 2026.*