BioPura developed by Helsinki-headquartered UPM is a drop-in solution that can be easily implemented into existing polyester resin manufacturing processes to replace the 30% monoethylene glycol (MEG) derived from petroleum.

The bio-MEG is identical to currently used MEG on a molecular basis and can therefore go into corresponding recycling streams.

It has been employed in a fleece jacket which will be shown by Vaude at ISPO Munich 2023 from November 28-30.

UPM and Vaude have collaborated closely to produce outerwear made with bio-based chemicals to prove that the shift towards renewable materials in textiles is already possible today.

“We recognise the acute challenge faced by the fashion and footwear industries to find more sustainable solutions for the textiles and materials used in their products,” said Michael Duetsch, vice president of biochemicals at UPM. “The launch of the Vaude fleece jacket is a milestone in responding to that challenge, enabling fashion industry leaders to take action now and move beyond fossil-based materials.

“Vaude is a leader in advancing sustainable products – addressing all aspects of sustainability from longevity through repairability and alternative use options to truly responsible materials. This collaboration confirms the strong appeal of our product portfolio to changemakers in the outdoor and sports industry and beyond. By building a first-of-its-kind biorefining business to offer a new generation of bio-based renewable materials, we can help global brands to reduce their CO2 footprint and defossilize their products.”

“We have partnered with UPM as partnerships across the whole value chain are a pre-requisite for enhancing sustainable innovations,” added René Bethmann, senior innovation manager at Vaude. “This marks the first step in our journey to create a polyester derived from non-fossil ingredients.  Producing outerwear made with bio-based chemicals is part of our shift towards using renewable materials in the textile and apparel value chain – we want 90% of all our products to be bio-based or have recycled content of more than 50%.”

UPM is investing €1,180 million to build the world’s first industrial scale biorefinery in Leuna, Germany. In Leuna, it will convert sustainably sourced, certified hardwood into next generation biochemicals. 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.

www.upm.com