Back to the Future With Wooden Cars
Finnish papermaker UPM looks to reinvent itself with new products
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A prototype with a certain 19th century sensibility is set to première at the Geneva International Motor Show in March. Finnish papermaker UPM-Kymmene will showcase an eco-friendly wooden car whose frame is built from tree pulp and plywood; the vehicle also runs on fuel made from papermaking byproducts.
UPM’s Biofore concept car meets all European crash and fire safety standards and offers all the features of a conventional car. “We wish to demonstrate that these materials respond to the needs of the automotive industry,” says Juuso Konttinen, UPM’s vice president for new business.