UPM and Ashland Inc. to collaborate on application development for UPM Biofibrils technology

UPM and Ashland Inc. have entered into a cooperative agreement to develop and commercialize products containing UPM’s Biofibrils technology.

UPM Biofibrils are micro and nanofibrillated cellulose products that can be used for shaping materials and giving them new characteristics. In the biofibrils collaboration UPM and Ashland will jointly study the use of biofibrils in a wide range of industrial application opportunities. For example, biofibrils might be used to improve the quality and performance of a broad array of polymer products ranging from coatings and construction materials to home and car care products as well as energy drilling applications.

The collaboration marks a milestone for two companies with extensive expertise in cellulose technology. UPM has pursued research and development of biofibrils technology for several years and has a large portfolio of patent applications and production experience. Ashland has its own research and patents in microfibrillar cellulose technology.

“Our collaborative relationship with UPM provides an excellent opportunity to combine the UPM Biofibrils technology with Ashland’s application expertise in order to bring new products and functionalities to our customers. When we combine our strengths and know-how with experts offering new technologies that complement our product lines, we can deliver value-added performance to our customers”, says May Shana’a, Vice President, Technology and Growth Strategy, Ashland Specialty Ingredients.

UPM Biofibrils technology is a result of a long-term research and development commitment. Cornerstones of UPM’s Biofore strategy are the versatile use of renewable wood biomass combined with innovation and sustainability.

“UPM Biofibrils is a novel biomaterial that allows development of new fibre-based products with exciting properties for the UPM product portfolio. The collaboration with Ashland’s global development team enables further development and commercialization of UPM Biofibrils in several industrial applications”, says Esa Laurinsilta, Director, UPM Biofibrils.

About UPM New Businesses and Development (NBD)
UPM New Businesses and Development (NBD) is an important part of UPM’s renewal and Biofore strategy. The objective of NBD is to provide added value to renewable wood raw material by developing ideas into new products and businesses. The key projects are biocomposites, biofibrils and biochemicals.

UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 22,000 people. UPM is present in 67 countries and has production units in 17 countries. UPM’s annual sales exceed EUR 10 billion. UPM’s shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange.

About Ashland
In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, tissue and towel, and water treatment. Visit ashland.com to see the innovations we offer through our four commercial units – Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials and Ashland Consumer Markets.

Contact
UPM Biofibrils
Esa Laurinsilta, Director
Tel. +358 40 821 0350

Source

UPM - The Biofore Company, press release, 2013-06-17.

Supplier

Ashland Inc.
UPM Corporation

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