UPM acquisition to strengthen RFF supply to rubber industry

Helsinki – UPM Biochemicals has acquired SunCoal Industries GmbH, a German-based company with a “unique technology portfolio” to produce products from renewable raw materials,” UPM has announced.

SunCoal’s technology, it stated, will be integrated into the production of UPM’s BioMotion renewable functional fillers (RFFs), said the Finnish group’s statement, issued 1 Aug.

The RFFs to be produced at UPM Biochemical’s first-of-its kind biorefinery in Leuna and strengthen the overall technology portfolio of UPM’s biorefining businesses.

UPM said ownership of SunCoal and its team specialising in lignin valorisation will strengthen its role as a supplier of RFFs to the rubber and plastic markets.

“SunCoal experts will bring additional capabilities to further develop the RFF production technology and processes and support UPM’s ambitious growth plans in the biorefining space,” it explained.

Founded in 2007, SunCoal’s pilot production and lab facilities in Ludwigsfelde, Brandenburg employ around 30 people.

The company invented a globally patented hydrothermal treatment technology and licenced it to UPM for the production of wood-based functional fillers.

The technology is implemented on an industrial scale for the first time at the biorefinery in Leuna, according to UPM’s statement.

“This acquisition will strengthen our position in the renewable chemicals markets and marks a next step in the growth of our biorefining businesses,” says Winfried Schaur, executive VP technology & biorefining at UPM.

“The SunCoal acquisition announced today will broaden our patent base and contribute to further evolving our offering of innovative, sustainable chemicals,” added Schaur.

“After many years of trustful cooperation in supporting the realisation of the Leuna biorefinery, we are excited that the SunCoal team will now be involved even more,” commented Tobias Wittmann and Friedrich von Ploetz, founding partners of SunCoal Industries.