Sustainable paper logistics on track

Headquartered in Augsburg, UPM Communication Papers is one of the leading companies in the paper industry, supplying corporate customers worldwide with a wide range of graphic papers, including those used for newspapers, magazines and books. Since the beginning of the year, UPM has been using RCG's logistics solutions for transport in Germany. Regular block trains transport finished paper, while daily transport is used for production materials such as pulp, waste paper and pigments. The starting point is UPM's plants in southern Germany, which have their own industrial sidings. The destinations are various intermediate warehouses in Germany.

Tailor-made logistics on a weekly and daily basis  

RCG organises end-to-end transport and works closely with UPM to ensure flexible implementation in day-to-day business. Block trains run on a weekly schedule, while plant services are assembled daily to adapt to production volumes and requirements. In addition to operational coordination, the right equipment ensures smooth handling: modern mainline locomotives; efficient diesel locomotives for the first and last mile; and sliding-wall wagons with special load securing systems.

Rail logistics as a strategic advantage

For UPM, reliability in daily operations is not the only important factor. The equipment also played a key role: “The Rail Cargo Group is very powerful on the pan-European market. Unlike many of its competitors, it has its own wagon equipment, which was crucial for our project,” says Georg Staller, UPM's Development Manager for Supply Chain and Logistics. Positive feedback from the industry network further reinforced the decision – and today it’s clear: switching to rail was the right move.

Every train counts – for the environment and supply security  

A single block train can replace up to 60 truck journeys. One round trip between North Rhine-Westphalia and Augsburg saves over 60 tonnes of CO₂ compared to road transport. This protects the climate and relieves pressure on road infrastructure, improving processes at the ramp and warehouse. For UPM, this is an important step towards a sustainable industry, as well as making the logistics chain more efficient and resilient.

About UPM

UPM is a leading global materials solutions company headquartered in Helsinki. It creates long-term value through its extensive portfolio of renewable fibres, advanced materials, decarbonisation solutions, and graphic papers. A key part of this portfolio is the UPM Communication Papers business, which provides the industry's most comprehensive range of graphic papers for newspapers, magazines, marketing and book printing, as well as home and office applications.

UPM's high-performance papers and service concepts create added value for corporate customers while meeting the most stringent environmental and social responsibility criteria. UPM Communication Papers is headquartered in Germany and employs around 5,000 people in 10 modern paper mills worldwide. With an annual production capacity of 4.3 million tonnes, the company efficiently and responsibly supplies customers around the world with a focus on the future.

18.08.2025