Dec 07, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. UPM is developing a new material that makes use of recyclable raw materials from the wood products division’s processes and from paper converting. The wood plastic composite consists of paper and plastic laminate, clean recycled plastic and wood raw materials from sawmilling operations and plywood industry. The composite material manufactured from laminate edge trim has proven to be durable and moisture-resistant. It is also suitable for machine-tooling using the same methods as those used for wood. The composite material can be disposed of by incineration or recycling in the production process. “The material combines the best properties of the wood fibres and polymers. In the construction sector, our focus is on the joinery and house building industries. Germany and the UK, where windows are made from aluminium, wood and PVC plastic, are interesting markets. We want to position the new material somewhere between wood and PVC to compete mainly with PVC products,” told Markku Koivisto, venture manager at UPM. "UPM has already access to raw materials that hopefully gives us a competitive edge. The use of waste material also reduces the load on the environment”, Mr. Koivisto added. The initial investment needed for developing the idea further include an extruder from Austria that would be suited to product development as well as small-scale production. The machine will be supplied at the end of December and installed at the wood products division's premises in Lahti at the beginning of January. The goal is to achieve fast growth in production capacity. UPM is one of the world's leading forest products companies. The company's businesses focus on magazine papers, newsprint, fine and speciality papers, converting materials and wood products.