Helsinki, Finland, 23 February 2011 -- UPM is expanding its nursery in Joroinen, Finland, and building a second nursery in Uruguay. These expansions will secure the availability of high quality seedlings and seed material, which is the basis for successful tree cultivation for the northern boreal forests and the plantations in the southern hemisphere.

The expansion of the Joroinen nursery includes a new greenhouse, which will begin use during the summer of 2011. The first seedlings from the new greenhouse will be planted in the UPM-owned forests and in the forests of the forest service customers during the 2012 planting season. Joroinen nursery was founded in 1980 and it employs about 30 persons during the peak use.

Forestal Oriental, UPM’s plantation company in Uruguay, is building a new nursery in Guichón, in the department of Paysandu. The new nursery is estimated to be ready in March 2012 and will employ about 100 people.

Forestal Oriental produces seedlings of two different eucalyptus species: Eucalyptus grandis from cuttings and Eucalyptus dunnii, mainly from seeds. The new nursery enables the production of E. dunnii from rooted cuttings. Forestal Oriental’s San Francisco nursery in Paysandu continues its operation.

Forestal Oriental is UPM's plantation company in Uruguay. It has been operating since 1990. The head offices are located in Paysandú and Montevideo. Forestal Oriental is focused on the sustainable production of eucalyptus in Uruguay. The company owns about 225,000 hectares of land, out of which about 135,000 ha is used for plantations. The majority of the wood harvested is supplied to UPM Fray Bentos pulp mill.

UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. UPM consists of three business groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. UPM employs around 22,000 people and it has production plants in 15 countries. In 2010, UPM's sales amounted to EUR 8.9 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange.