Finnish paper company UPM has developed a new biocomposite material made with “up to 100% renewable resources” that utilizes waste from pulp production.
The new material, called UPM Formi EcoAce, reportedly contains certified wood and cellulose fibers, as well as certified renewable PP polymers from SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE solutions that are made using wood-based feedstock from UPM Biofuels production. The UPM BioVerno production is certified by both ISCC PLUS and RSB and the sustainability of the material has apparently been verified accordingly.
UPM describes the new product as a drop-in solution: “It can smoothly replace fossil-based solutions as it is identical in quality and performance to non-renewable alternatives.” And, according to the company, every tonne of UPM’s wood-based renewable BioVerno naphtha for plastics saves three tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil naphtha.
“Certified renewable polymers from SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE solutions act as a bridge to enable the value chain to evolve from a linear to a circular economy. Our collaboration with UPM Formi is a good example of how this pioneering product can be implemented in various applications and can help to meet consumer demand for more sustainable products,” says Mark Vester, circular economy leader at SABIC.
“The processing of fibers, production of bio-based polypropylene and compounding the biomaterials together in order to make high quality raw material to various end-uses, is a really demanding business exercise requiring high-tech and know-how. After successful pilots, we are now looking forward to starting to offer our new biocomposite to business partners around the world,” says Ralf Ponicki.
Typical end-use applications for the new UPM Formi EcoAce biocomposite include uses in food contact, personal care, and consumer goods, made by injection moulding or extrusion. Characterized by UPM Biocomposites materials, the wood-look surface of UPM Formi EcoAce is ‘warm and silky’ to the touch and can be produced in different colors, from light to dark shades. UPM Biocomposites has been awarded several certificates, including PEFC, and UPM Formi grades are available with PEFC certification.