A partnership among UPM, Selenis, and Bormioli Pharma aims to develop sustainable pharmaceutical packaging through the production of wood-based bottles. These innovative containers will be made from Selenis’ partial BioPET resins and UPM’s carbon-negative BioMEG.
The collaboration seeks to address the pharmaceutical industry’s need for more sustainable packaging solutions while ensuring safety and performance standards are met. The new bottles utilize partially wood-based PET, which is expected to significantly reduce the carbon footprint typically associated with traditional fossil fuel-based PET plastics.
These BioPET bottles have already met the European Pharmacopeia standards, making them compliant for pharmaceutical applications. Bormioli Pharma plans to make these bottles available globally starting in the first quarter of 2025.
As part of its sustainability initiatives, UPM is also developing a biorefinery that will convert sustainably sourced woody biomass into high-value biochemicals. The hardwood supply for this biorefinery will come from sustainably managed beechwood forests located near Leuna, Germany.
Michael Duetsch, vice president of UPM Biochemicals, remarked on the collaboration’s significance, stating that it demonstrates the viability of renewable, wood-based biochemicals as high-quality substitutes for fossil materials while offering clear environmental advantages. He emphasized that Bormioli Pharma’s use of these containers represents a crucial step for a sector that has limited options for sustainable packaging transformations.
The pharmaceutical packaging industry operates under stringent regulatory and performance standards, which can limit the use of new or recycled materials. However, the integration of standard PET made from BioMEG into this sector signifies a move toward enhanced sustainability without sacrificing quality.
Eduardo Santos, head of corporate strategy at Selenis, expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its potential to lead to the first European-approved partial wood-based BioPET bottle for the pharmaceutical market.
In addition to this initiative, UPM Specialty Papers has recently partnered with Michelman to introduce new high-performance, recyclable paper packaging structures, further demonstrating the company’s commitment to sustainable packaging solutions.
