UPM, a global material solutions company, strengthens its position as a material supplier for liquefied natural gas carriers and responds to increasing market demand by launching a new solution for the insulation elements of LNG cargo tanks, WISA®-LNG Spruce plywood.

The demand for LNG plywood is rapidly increasing and now spruce can be used as LNG plywood material without compromising the requirements set on the transportation of LNG.

To ensure it meets the requirements for the highly regulated LNG applications, the WISA-LNG Spruce plywood has been developed and extensively tested in collaboration with GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz), a global leader in the transport and storage of liquefied gases and the owner of the technology.

“Maintaining an ultra-cold temperature during transport is essential to keep LNG in its liquid state. Both birch and spruce have great insulation properties as well as durability, dimensional stability, and lightweight construction that help ensure safe transportation of LNG,” says Raija Rautiainen, Product Manager for UPM’s WISA-LNG products.

“Material availability is a key for LNG carrier construction. By enabling the use of spruce plywood, GTT provides its customers with greater available capacity and enhanced procurement flexibility,” says Thierry Valot, Group Innovation Vice President, GTT.

The first application for the newly launched product is in vessels built with Mark III membrane technology and the product is designed to complement WISA-LNG Birch plywood products.

WISA-LNG Spruce uses WISA® BioBond gluing technology, which replaces at least 50% of the fossil-based phenol in the adhesive with lignin – nature’s own adhesive. This innovation also reduces the product’s carbon footprint. With its blend of sustainability* and performance, plywood stands as a clear example of UPM’s broad portfolio of innovative material solutions.

UPM has been manufacturing plywood for LNG carriers for nearly 60 years. With the launch of the new product, manufactured at UPM Pellos Plywood Mills in Mikkeli, Finland, LNG plywood is now produced at three UPM mills, significantly increasing delivery capacity.