Technological watch

UPM Launches Bio-composite Made-of Certified Cellulose Fibers and Polypropylene

TAGS:  Green and Bioplastics     Thermoplastic Composites    
UPM has developed a new bio-composite material which meets the highest sustainability requirements. The new material, called UPM Formi EcoAce, 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 been verified accordingly.
The Drop-in-Solution
The environmentally sound UPM Formi EcoAce is a drop-in solution: it can smoothly replace fossil-based solutions as it is identical in quality and performance to non-renewable alternatives. The biocomposite is almost 100% based on renewable resources, followed by ISCC certified mass balance principle. Every ton of UPM’s wood based renewable BioVerno naphtha for plastics saves three tons of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil naphtha.
Having multi-use material performance in its DNA, the EcoAce biocomposite reduces waste through less material consumption. The biocomposite is enhancing part lifetime, provided from biomaterial that is based on renewable resources, utilizing residues from existing pulp production.
Certified Renewable Polymers from SABIC
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.
Applicable for Various End-uses
The processing of fibers, production of biobased 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 know-how. After successful pilots, we are now looking forward to start offering 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 molding or extrusion. Characterized by UPM Biocomposites materials, 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™. UPM Formi grades are available with PEFC certification.



Publication date: 06/04/2020

Omnexus (news)

This project has been co-funded with the support of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union [LIFE17 ENV/ES/000438] Life programme

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Last update: 2022-01-31