UPM Biochemicals and Selenis form strategic alliance to develop sustainable PETG

Partnership will innovate for a future beyond fossils by developing PETG made from renewable, sustainably sourced forest biomass for use in a variety of packaging applications

(UPM, Helsinki, June 1, 2023 at 10 a.m. EEST) – UPM Biochemicals and Selenis, a subsidiary of the IMG Group that produces specialty polyester resins for a wide range of applications, announced a partnership today that will help the packaging industry reduce its CO₂ footprint and redefine the sustainability goals of its customers.

The goal of the strategic partnership is to produce sustainable polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) resin that will accelerate the introduction of renewable, sustainable forest-sourced materials into plastic applications and reduce fossil resource dependency. PETG is a highly transparent, FDA-approved material used in a large variety of applications including cosmetics and personal-care packaging, heat-shrink sleeves, and durable goods, such as bulk dispenser.

UPM will supply Selenis with its new sustainable bio mono-ethylene glycol (Bio-MEG), called UPM BioPura™, to make partial BioPETG. UPM BioPura™ is produced from sustainably sourced, certified hardwood obtained from forests in the regions around Leuna in Germany, where the company is building the world’s first industry-scale biorefinery converting woody biomass into next-generation biochemicals. The biomass does not compete with food resources and will enable manufacturers a viable option to redefine their net-zero targets and significantly reduce their scope 3 emissions by switching effortlessly from fossil-based, to a renewable, drop-in ingredient.

UPM Biochemicals is committed to the sustainable transformation of the packaging industry and is actively engaging with partners such as Selenis to develop new, sustainable applications and products based on the biochemicals to be produced in Leuna. Both companies have a shared vision to decrease the industry’s dependency on virgin fossil materials and to drive towards a net-zero circular economy.

“We are delighted to partner with Selenis. Selenis pursues a strategy to continuously reduce the CO₂ footprint of its products – partnerships like ours are at the heart of a greener, more sustainable chemistry,” explained Michael Duetsch, Vice President Biochemicals at UPM.

“We will work with Selenis to deliver outstanding solutions for their customers, enabling them to innovate towards sustainable packaging solutions with a significantly reduced greenhouse-gas footprint. As the packaging industry is truly striving for a more environmentally friendly future, incorporating bio-based materials like UPM BioPura™ alongside an ever-increasing share of recycled materials will be an essential part.”

Selenis focuses its product innovation on developing products that are fully recyclable in the PET stream and has revolutionary technology that upcycles plastic waste into new polymers, replacing fossil-fuel feedstocks with recycled polyester raw material. Selenis Converters and brand owners can now customize their products to reduce their carbon footprint, by adding bio and recycled content, with no performance trade-offs. Moreover, Selenis is investing in self-generated solar energy which will allow the usage of fully green energy in the manufacturing process of the polymer, further supporting brand owners on their decarbonization strategies.

“We centre our innovation efforts in markets where the pressure for recyclable solutions is higher because the life of the product is shorter, meaning end of life solutions are more critical. The packaging and the cosmetics industries are two examples where brand owners prioritize circularity,” explained Marta Matos Gil, Chief Sustainability Officer at Selenis.

“As we take steps towards becoming a regenerative company, developing products that meet sustainable standards in recyclability, eco-resource efficiency and eco-friendly compositions to improve their circularity is vital. Our new partnership with UPM is illustrative of how we are jointly working across the value chain to create tangible solutions that support the advancement of a circular economy and considerably reduce plastic waste.”

UPM Biochemicals
UPM Biochemicals offers innovative, sustainable and competitive wood-based biochemicals for replacing fossil-based raw materials and helping to improve the environmental performance in various applications. End-use segments for renewable glycols include textiles, PET bottles, packaging, coolants, composites, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and detergents. Lignin-based Renewable Functional Fillers (RFF) offer a sustainable alternative to carbon black and precipitated silica in a broad range of rubber and plastic applications. UPM is building an industrial-scale biorefinery in Leuna, Germany to convert solid wood into next-generation biochemicals. UPM Biochemicals is accelerating the transition to a circular bioeconomy – where renewable feedstocks, sustainable production and sustainable consumption are the new normal. www.upmbiochemicals.com

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UPM
We deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Fibres, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. As the industry leader in responsibility, we are committed to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C and the science-based targets to mitigate climate change. We employ 17,000 people worldwide, and our annual sales are approximately EUR 11.7 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. UPM Biofore – Beyond fossils. www.upm.com

Selenis
Selenis is a global premium supplier of specialty copolyesters for diverse markets and applications. Selenis has developed engineered resins that fit high demanding applications to manufacture products that are used in everyday life. Being part of a group who has been in the polymers industry for over 60 years; Selenis counts on a wealth of expertise and know-how. We share our global experience to provide customers with products that are one step ahead. Selenis is constantly on the search for innovation in materials and industrial technology in order to deliver groundbreaking specialty polyester solutions that focus on a circular economy. We believe that through dialogue with our customers we can develop new tailor-made formulations motivated by their requirements as well as market trends. At Selenis, we are centered on innovation through more environmentally responsible resins. Our R&D experts and Sustainability Committee continuously seek more sustainable and recyclable solutions. Our philosophy is based on driving technology and innovation towards a sustainable portfolio. To discover more, please visit our website at www.selenis.com  

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