E4S Awards - UPM Biochemicals

UPM Biochemicals has steadily maintained a high ranking in the E4S Top 10, supported by a high level of information about its project for the commercial production of renewable functional fillers (RFFs) at its bio-refinery in Leuna, Germany.  This has included in-depth technical details about the wood-based RFF alternatives to carbon black and silica used in tires and rubber products.

As well as providing a substantial amount of technical detail, the updates from UPM have spotlighted progress with projects with major OEs to establish new commercial applications for RFFs. The project has been delayed by about a year, with commercial start-up now scheduled to take place within the next few months.

UPM Biochemicals is on track to begin commercial production at its biorefinery in Leuna in the second half of 2025, according to the latest company release.

In the 17 June announcement, UPM added that the facility had received triple sustainability certification, including ISCC+, PEFC, and FSC chain-of-custody certifications.

Among other products, the €1.2 billion Saxony-Anhalt site will manufacture lignin-based renewable functional fillers.

The materials offer bio-based alternatives to carbon black and other rubber fillers for products including tires, automotive profiles, hoses, seals, footwear and flooring.

The Leuna plant sources “FSC- or PEFC-certified hardwood exclusively from sustainably managed regional forests,” noted the Finnish forest industry specialist.

“The certifications confirm that all wood-based feedstocks used in the biorefinery are sourced from sustainably managed forests and are fully traceable through credible third-party auditing schemes,” it added.

UPM has also reported new LCA data: a detailed analysis showing that 1mt of RFF is equivalent to almost -1,1 mt CO2 footprint.

Meanwhile, the Finnish group stated that almost six supply agreements for 2025 volume have been finalised – with many other deals “under discussion and expected to close by end of November this year.”

UPM went on to highlight a previous announcement (ERJ report) that Nokian Tyre has produced first ever tire made with RFF, relacing 100% carbon black by RFF in sidewall application.

Also, a leading European OEM has approved RFF for four projects and is “ready to realise the volume as of 2025 for the new models signing first commercial RFF supply agreements signed for deliveries in 2025.”