UPM unveils wood-based biocomposite material with renewable Sabic polypropylene

23 Mar 2020 --- Finnish forest industry company UPM has developed a new biocomposite material called UPM Formi EcoAce, which the company says meets the “highest sustainability requirements.” The new material contains certified wood and cellulose fibers, as well as certified renewable polypropylene (PP) polymers from diversified chemicals player 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.

“Having multi-use material performance in its DNA, our EcoAce biocomposite reduces waste through less material consumption. The biocomposite is enhancing part lifetime, provided from bio-material that is based on renewable resources, utilizing residues from existing pulp production,” says Ralf Ponicki, Director, UPM Formi business at UPM Biocomposites.

The environmentally-friendly 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 percent 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, according to the company.

“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 an example of how this novel product can be used 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 biobased PP and compounding the biomaterials together to make high quality raw material to various end-uses, is a demanding business exercise requiring high-tech and know-how. “After successful pilots, we are now looking forward to 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.

Trucircle is Sabic’s complete portfolio of solutions that span design for recyclability, mechanically recycled products, certified circular products from feedstock recycling of plastic waste streams and certified renewables products from bio-based feedstock.

Edited by Kristiana Lalou