Tuesday, November 25, 2025
UPM, a global leader in material solutions, has launched a new product designed to meet the increasing demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation. The new WISA®-LNG Spruce plywood offers a sustainable and effective solution for the insulation of LNG cargo tanks. With the rise in global LNG shipping and transport needs, UPM’s innovative plywood is set to support the growing industry while maintaining the high standards required for such critical applications.
As LNG shipping continues to expand, the demand for reliable and durable materials for LNG carriers has increased significantly. WISA®-LNG Spruce plywood provides a solution that does not compromise on the stringent requirements set for LNG transport. Spruce has now been introduced as a viable material for LNG plywood, offering a sustainable alternative without sacrificing performance.
To ensure the plywood meets the rigorous standards of LNG applications, it has undergone extensive testing and development in collaboration with GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz), a global leader in liquefied gas transport and storage technologies. The partnership between UPM and GTT ensures that the product delivers the essential properties needed for LNG carrier insulation.
“Maintaining an ultra-cold temperature is essential to keep LNG in its liquid state during transport. Both birch and spruce plywood offer excellent insulation properties, durability, and dimensional stability, making them ideal materials for safe LNG transportation,” explains Raija Rautiainen, Product Manager for UPM’s WISA-LNG products.
The WISA®-LNG Spruce plywood has been designed to complement UPM’s existing WISA-LNG Birch plywood products. It is primarily intended for use in vessels built with Mark III membrane technology, a widely used solution for LNG carriers. This development broadens the material options available for shipbuilders, offering flexibility and scalability in sourcing materials.
UPM’s WISA®-LNG Spruce plywood uses the innovative WISA® BioBond gluing technology. This technology replaces at least 50% of the fossil-based phenol in the adhesive with lignin, a natural substance found in wood. This innovation significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the plywood, adding a layer of sustainability to the product. As a result, the new plywood not only meets performance standards but also contributes to the decarbonisation goals of the LNG transport industry.
“We are committed to offering sustainable solutions that not only perform well but also reduce environmental impact,” says Rautiainen. “By incorporating lignin into our plywood adhesive, we are able to reduce reliance on fossil-based chemicals and enhance the product’s sustainability.”
The WISA®-LNG Spruce plywood is manufactured at UPM Pellos Plywood Mills in Mikkeli, Finland. With this new product, UPM now produces LNG plywood at three different mills, significantly boosting production capacity. This increased capacity is essential to meet the rising demand for LNG carrier construction. UPM’s plywood production is renowned for high quality, serving not only the LNG industry but also applications in construction, vehicle flooring, parquet manufacturing, and other industrial uses.
As part of its long-standing commitment to sustainability, UPM has been producing plywood for LNG carriers for nearly 60 years. The launch of WISA®-LNG Spruce plywood underscores UPM’s dedication to providing advanced material solutions that address industry needs while promoting environmentally responsible practices.
The company’s focus on sustainability is also reflected in its broader business portfolio. UPM continues to innovate with renewable fibres, advanced materials, decarbonisation solutions, and communication papers. In 2024, UPM Plywood achieved EUR 430 million in sales, employing around 1,600 people. The company operates globally, with approximately 15,800 employees and annual sales of around €10.3 billion.
“Material availability is key for LNG carrier construction,” says Thierry Valot, Group Innovation Vice President at GTT. “By enabling the use of spruce plywood, UPM gives shipbuilders more procurement flexibility and available capacity, ensuring the timely delivery of LNG carriers.”
With increasing pressure on the global shipping industry to meet environmental standards, UPM’s WISA®-LNG Spruce plywood offers a sustainable alternative to traditional materials, aligning with the growing emphasis on decarbonisation and resource efficiency in the maritime industry. The new product is part of UPM’s broader strategy to expand its portfolio of renewable and sustainable materials, helping to meet both the functional and environmental demands of modern industries.
The introduction of WISA®-LNG Spruce plywood represents a significant step forward in the LNG transportation sector. By providing a sustainable and high-performance material, UPM is supporting the LNG industry’s drive for safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible transport solutions. As the market for LNG continues to grow, this innovative plywood solution is poised to play a crucial role in meeting the future demands of the energy sector.
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Tags: LNG plywood, plywood for LNG carriers, renewable plywood, sustainable materials, UPM Plywood, WISA-LNG Spruce plywood
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