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KRAHN Chemie exclusively distributes UPM Biochemicals BioMotion™ RFF Portofolio

RFF are a completely new category of functional fillers, replacing fossil-based carbon black and precipitated silica. The distribution agreement covers UPM BioMotion™ X10, X20 and X40 product grades to be used in plastics, adhesives and sealants as well as paints and coatings.

The construction site of the UPM biorefinery in Leuna, Germany © UPMUPM BioMotion™ Renewable Functional Fillers (RFF) have a significantly lower CO2 footprint compared to traditional, oil-based products. They enable companies to respond to drastically changing market conditions, increasing consumer demands for advanced product sustainability and to make a tangible contribution to achieving the 2050 climate targets.

“RFF are an innovative, new category of bio-based functional fillers, to be used in the production of plastics and other polymer-based products or formulations. As regulatory requirements in automotive, electronics and packaging sectors force companies to meet ever increasing environmental standards, RFF can be a game changer for players in these sectors to comply with these requirements and offer a completely new, sustainable product to today’s sustainability minded consumers”, says Christian Hübsch, Director Sales & Marketing UPM Biochemicals. “We are delighted to cooperate with KRAHN Chemie, one of the leading distributors for our target-segments, to bring RFF to the market.” 

“UPM BioMotion™ RFF are an excellent addition to our portfolio and support our strong focus on innovating in collaboration with our customers and partners to achieve the 2050 climate goals and future-proof our customer’s performance to comply with current and future regulations,” says Thorben Liebrecht, Business Segment Manager Plastics, Adhesives & Sealants at KRAHN Chemie Deutschland GmbH.

UPM Biochemicals is a new entrant to the chemicals market. As the renewable chemicals business of UPM Kymmene, the Finnish forest industry market leader with more than 10 bn EUR annual turnover, UPM Biochemicals is currently investing more than 500m EUR in the world’s first biorefinery producing renewable monoethylene glycols and Renewable Functional Fillers (RFF) from sustainably sourced and certified hardwood.

About UPM BiochemicalsUPM Biochemicals offers innovative, sustainable and competitive wood-based biochemicals for replacing fossil-based raw materials and improving the environmental performance in various applications. End-use segments for renewable glycols include textiles, PET bottles, packaging, coolants, composites, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and detergents. Lignin-based renewable functional fillers offer a sustainable alternative to carbon black and silica in a broad range of rubber and plastic applications. UPM is building an industrial scale biorefinery in Leuna, Germany to convert solid wood into next generation biochemicals. 

About UPMWe deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. As the industry leader in responsibility we are committed to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C and the science-based targets to mitigate climate change. We employ 18,700 people worldwide and our annual sales are approximately EUR 10.2 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. UPM Biofore – Beyond fossils.

About KrahnKRAHN Chemie is a chemical distribution company with a history spanning over 100 years. KRAHN`s core competence is the sales, marketing and distribution of specialty chemicals. The KRAHN group offers its more than 5,000 customers an extensive and high-quality product range, technical services as well as in-house laboratory support. KRAHN works closely together with internationally operating chemical manufacturers. They benefit from the target-oriented and sustainable marketing of their products in Europe – based on KRAHN´s deep knowledge of the local markets.

Publication date: 17/05/2022

Author: Yago Destro de Oliveira

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This project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 837761.