SABIC’s certified renewable PP helps UPM develop new wood-based biocomposite material

SABIC today confirmed details of a new world-class biocomposite material developed from our TRUCIRCLE™ products by UPM, a Finnish group of companies that leads sustainability in the forest-based bioindustry.The innovative new material, UPM Formi EcoAce, contains certified renewable PP polymers and is produced using wood-based feedstock from UPM's biofuels production – an affiliate of UPM – alongside wood and cellulose fibers.

An important step toward a more circular economy, the biocomposite is a drop-in solution, meaning it can smoothly replace fossil-based solutions as it is identical in quality and performance to non-renewable alternatives. The material is composed from almost 100% renewable resources and follows the ISCC certified mass balance principle – a chemical industry standard for managing and tracing sustainability characteristics of circular and/or bio-based materials in a complex value chain.

Mark Vester, Circular Economy Leader at SABIC, said, “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 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."

Ralf Ponicki, Director of the UPM Formi business at UPM Biocomposites, said, “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. After successful pilot programs, we are now looking forward to offering our new biocomposite to business partners around the world."

The processing of fibers, production of bio-based polypropylene and compounding the biomaterials together in order to make high quality raw material for various end-uses is a demanding business exercise that requires advanced technology and a high level of expertise.Typical end-use applications for UPM Formi EcoAce include use in food contact, personal care and consumer goods made by injection molding or extrusion. The wood-look surface of biocomposite is warm and silky to the touch and can be produced in different colors and across a wide range of shades.

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.

Based in Helskinki, UPM creates renewable and responsible solutions that replace fossil-based materials by making the most of residues and side streams. It relies on renewable and biodegradable raw materials to produce recyclable everyday items and materials.