UPM confirmed on November 3, 2026, that its plywood and veneer business had entered a new phase of independent operation as WISA Group. The business has annual production capacity of 785,000 cubic metres.

The separation comes after the plywood business improved its profitability during the year. As an independent entity, WISA Group plans to pursue growth and seek acquisitions in the European market.

What the separation means for the supply chain

The immediate change is organisational: a plywood and veneer business previously operated by UPM is now an independent entity. Its stated acquisition plans could have broader implications for competition in Europe, depending on whether transactions occur and which businesses they involve.

For buyers and other supply chain participants, the distinction between production capacity and actual supply matters. The announced annual capacity describes the scale of the business, but the separation alone does not establish a change in output, availability or prices.

The longer-term effects on hardwood and softwood plywood markets will depend on how WISA Group develops as an independent business and whether its acquisition plans result in changes to the competitive landscape.