UPM Biochemicals and URSA, one of the leading producers of glass wool and mineral wool in Europe, today announced the development of more environmentally friendly building insulation that will help to reduce energy consumption and lower CO2 emissions. URSA will produce sustainable glass wool made from an innovative, binder based on UPM BioPiva™ lignin. It will be one of the most natural insulation material available on the market. The new binder implemented by Ursa is based on the proprietary lignin-resin technology developed by UPM Biochemicals. URSA and UPM Biochemicals have closely collaborated in optimizing binder composition for best physical characteristics of the new insulation material and smooth runnability on URSA’s production lines.

Self-adhesive label stock supplier UPM Raflatac has achieved sustainability certification from the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Scheme ISCC PLUS at three of its factories and nine distribution terminals worldwide. The company is proud to make a change in the sustainable labels value chain and be one of the first adopters in the packaging industry to deliver this certification. UPM Raflatac’s ISCC PLUS certified products via mass-balance approach include UPM Raflatac Forest Film™ and UPM Raflatac PP C-PCR. ISCC PLUS is one of the leading global sustainability certification schemes for a fully traceable supply chain to support the transition to a circular economy and bioeconomy. It allows biobased raw materials as well as waste and residue-based feedstock for plastic labels to be certified. The ISCC PLUS certification provides a strong external proof of sustainably managed raw materials and value chains for renewable and chemically recycled products. This truly sustainable packaging value chain brings customers and brand owners closer to their sustainability goals.

Domtar is joining forces with Boisaco and the Centre de recherche sur la boréalie (CREB) of the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) to support leading-edge research projects that will address the challenge of managing Quebec’s forests sustainably. The research partnership will allocate $430,000 annually over five years, totaling $2.15 million, with Domtar, owned by investor Jackson Wijaya, providing $350,000. UQAC’s research projects focus on a number of critical themes, such as climate change adaptation, biodiversity, carbon management and forest ecosystem regeneration. These initiatives aim to advance Quebec’s scientific knowledge and improve sustainable forest management practices. Since 2016, CREB has brought together 25 research professors from UQAC to address issues related to renewable resources in the boreal environment.