UPM Biochemicals (Helsinki; www.upmbiochemicals.com) and US speciality polyster resin maker Selenis (Fayetteville, North Carolina; www.selenis.com), have announced a partnership to produce sustainable polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) resin the pair expects will accelerate the introduction of renewable, sustainable forest-sourced materials into plastic applications.

PETG, a highly transparent, FDA-approved material, is used in applications such as packaging for cosmetics and personal care, heat shrink sleeves, and bulk dispensers.

UPM plans to supply Selenis with its BioPura sustainable bio mono-ethylene glycol to make partial BioPETG. The UPM feedstock is made from sustainably sourced, certified hardwood obtained from forests in Germany’s Leuna region, where the company said it is building the world’s first industrial scale bio-refinery to convert woody biomass into next-generation biochemicals.

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The PETG is expected to allow converters and brand owners to customise products to cut their carbon footprint through the addition of bio and recycled content, with no performance trade-offs. Moreover, Selenis said it is investing in self-generated solar energy that will provide fully green energy for polymer production.