UPM introduced UPM Circular Renewable BlackTM, a innovation that redefines the role of black as a color in sustainable packaging. UPM Circular RenewableBlack is the world's first bio-based, near-infrared (NIR) detectable, carbon-negative pigment, enabling premium packaging solutions that combine design excellence with full recyclability and a strong sustainability performance. For years, black packaging has been associated with recycling challenges as the conventionally used pigments are made from carbon black which inhibits NIR detection and makes the materials invisible to the sorting systems in recycling facilities.
UPM Circular Renewability Black changes that narrative. UPM's new pigment is derived from renewable lignin and certified by third-party standards such as FSCTM, PEFC and ISCC Plus. It delivers iconic deep black color for premium aesthetics, full NIR detectability for efficient recycling and a carbon-negative footprint, supporting climate-positive brand solutions.
UPM's Circular Renewable Black is part of UPM's portfolio of CO2-negative solutions to be produced at the company's E1.3 billion biorefinery in Leuna, Germany. The facility is the largest industrial-scale investment in biochemicals in Europe and converts sustainably sourced hardwood into next-generation biochemicals, enabling the transition from fossil-based to renewable materials across multiple industries. 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 inLeuna, 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.
