UPM Biochemicals, part of Finland-headed forest industry major UPM, has announced that it has selected Germany-headed Brenntag SE, a global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution, as the sole distributor of its sustainable bio-monoethylene glycol (BioMEG) "UPM BioPura" in Europe.
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According to a statement, the new distribution agreement will bring “UPM BioPura” to market, unlocking further commercial opportunities, while accelerating the introduction of sustainable forest-sourced materials into the chemical sector.
By reducing its dependency on fossil-based materials and transitioning to a more circular, low-emission operating model, the chemical industry can become a key enabler in the transformation to a net zero circular economy.
UPM Biochemicals is committed to the sustainable transformation of the chemical industry and is actively engaging with industry partners like Brenntag to enable its acceleration.
As we evaluated potential partners, we were convinced by Brenntag’s strong distribution network across Europe, as well as its commitment to engage in evolving the chemical industry’s sustainability performance. Brenntag has demonstrated that it can market, deliver, and promote the advantages of more sustainable solutions. This partnership confirms the attractiveness of our portfolio and is a strong push for the commercialization of our first-of-its-kind biorefinery in Leuna, Germany, explained Michael Duetsch, VP of Biochemicals at UPM.
Leuna biorefinery
UPM is investing EUR 1.18 billion to build the world’s first industrial-scale biorefinery in Leuna, Germany, where sustainably sourced, certified hardwood will be converted into next-generation biochemicals that will enable the vital shift away from fossil-based to renewable materials across a wide range of industries.
The Leuna biorefinery is part of a broader growth area, UPM Biorefining, focused on scaling refineries producing a variety of renewable fuels and chemicals made from sustainable biomass.
UPM has already signed multiple distribution agreements in the past year to market “UPM BioMotion” Renewable Functional Fillers (RFF), another product within the innovative new category of bio-based products.
UPM BioPura will be produced from certified hardwood obtained from regional forests around Leuna. The biomass does not compete with food resources and will provide manufacturers with a viable option to progress towards their net zero targets and significantly reduce Scope 3 emissions by switching effortlessly from fossil-based ingredients to a renewable, drop-in solution.
Brenntag is making significant progress towards its goal of furthering the distribution of sustainable chemicals. We are intensively field-testing new technologies to drive this change forward and are working closely with supply partners like UPM to offer our customers the best possible bio-based alternatives to established chemicals and ingredients to lower carbon emissions, commented Wolfgang Edel, Senior Manager of Sustainable Products and Solutions at Brenntag.
