UPM Biochemicals will be one of the first customers to benefit from Södra’s groundbreaking kraft lignin production when the forest-owner association’s plant in Mönsterås, Sweden, comes on stream in 2027. Södra’s new plant will not only be the first commercial kraft lignin production facility in Sweden but also the largest of its kind worldwide.

UPM has been at the forefront of innovation with a range of products derived from kraft lignin. The company has successfully marketed a growing portfolio of sustainable lignin solutions over the years. UPM BioPiva™ is a line of cost-effective, non-toxic, and high-purity kraft lignin products, serving as renewable adhesives and binders, replacing traditional fossil-based chemicals. Additionally, UPM Solargo™ plant biostimulants, derived from kraft lignin, support agriculture by reducing reliance on conventional fertilizers while enhancing soil health and productivity.

UPM’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond these solutions, as it continues to invest in the extraction of ligninfor innovative industry applications. At its first-of-its-kind biorefinery in Leuna, Germany, UPM will produce Renewable Functional Fillers (RFF), a major innovation for the rubber and plastic industries, designed to replace CO2-intensive materials like carbon black and precipitated silica.

“Kraft lignin is a key raw material for UPM’s efforts to offer viable decarbonization solutions,” says Winfried Schaur, Executive Vice President Technology & UPM Biorefining. “Applications for kraft lignin are expanding quickly, and we are excited that Södra is scaling up kraft lignin extraction from its pulp mills. We believe Södra is the ideal partner to support our growth ambitions.”

Johannes Bogren, Vice President of Södra Bioproducts, adds, “From 2027, Södra will play a major role in the growth of kraft lignin as a renewable and sustainable substitute for fossil-based materials. UPM, as a customer, will benefit from our responsible forestry practices and the low carbon footprint of our pulp mills.”

Södra’s kraft lignin investment at the Mönsterås site marks a significant scale-up of global kraft lignin capacity, positioning Södra as a key player in the broad adoption of kraft lignin-based products. This follows their completion of the world’s first commercial biomethanol plant at the site in 2020.

Lignin, a naturally occurring polymer found in the cell walls of plants, offers a sustainable alternative to fossil raw materials in a wide range of applications. Its renewable content and reduced carbon footprint make it a valuable asset in creating high-performance products.

For more information on UPM’s lignin solutions, visit UPM Biochemicals.

Source – UPM