In Finland, UPM has introduced the world’s first biobased, near-infrared detectable, carbon-negative black pigment.
Dubbed UPM Circular Renewable Black, the pigment will enable 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 Renewable Black is derived from renewable lignin and certified by third-party standards such as FSCTM, PEFC, and ISCC Plus.
Circular Renewable Black is produced at UPM’s Leuna, Germany biorefinery. The facility is the largest industrial-scale investment in biochemicals in Europe.