UPM launches renewable filler product for rubber and plastics applications

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Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.

UPM has launched UPM BioMotion Renewable Functional Fillers (RFF), a renewable product to reduce CO₂ footprint of rubber and plastics applications.

Figure 1. UPM launches a renewable filler product for rubber and plastics applications

This new product represent UPM's latest revolutionary development in sustainable solutions. They address the urgent need to reduce CO₂ emissions of rubber and plastics products by offering a truly sustainable alternative to fossil-based carbon black and precipitated silica. The RFF portfolio will be produced from sustainably sourced hardwood at its first-of-its-kind biorefinery in Leuna (Germany). The UPM biorefinery will produce renewable monoethylene glycol (bMEG), renewable monopropylene glycol (bMPG) and Renewable Functional Fillers (RFF) with an annual capacity of 220.000 tons.

The product is suitable for use in a broad range of elastomers, thermoplastic compounds and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) in numerous industries such as automotive, flooring or footwear. Mass production of RFF in Leuna will ramp up during 2023. UPM started product testing and development as well as compounding services in a modern Application Development Centre on site in Leuna, which will officially open later this year. UPM is currently using test batches of RFF to work with the leading companies in the rubber-processing industry globally on the development, qualification, and pre-industrial production of final products for various industries.

BioMotion RFF guarantees excellent technical performance while enabling weight savings of up to 25% in final rubber products compared to those produced with fossil-based fillers. These weight savings are a clear additional value add, especially for the automotive industry.

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