Wood goes Textile - Biopolyester for Circular Textile Economy

Room C
Thursday, 09/11/2025, 11:30 - 11:50

UPM’s wood-based Biochemicals enable 100% renewable biopolyesters for textiles—without compromising performance and quality. This drop-in solution supports true circularity, reduces fossil dependency, and significantly lowers carbon emissions. It’s a game-changer for sustainable fashion, from the heart of Europe.

Speakers
Nicko Reuter (UPM Biochemicals)
UPM’s wood-based biochemicals—BioMEG and bio-naphtha—enable the production of 100% renewable biopolyesters for textiles, without compromising performance or quality. These drop-in solutions support true circularity, reduce fossil dependency, and significantly lower carbon emissions—making them a game-changer for sustainable fashion, from the heart of Europe. To accelerate this transformation, UPM Biochemicals is investing EUR 1,280 million in building the world’s first industrial-scale biorefinery in Leuna, Germany. This pioneering facility will convert sustainably sourced, certified hardwood into next-generation biochemicals, enabling the vital shift from fossil to renewable materials across the textile industry. With UPM BioPura MEG, brands and manufacturers can instantly reduce their environmental footprint while delivering high-quality, functional products that meet the demands of modern consumers and climate-conscious markets. This is not just innovation—it’s industrial-scale impact, rooted in forest-based circularity.