The UPM Biochemicals has collaborated with Selenis, and Bormioli Pharma to produce BioPET bottles made from partially wood-based PET for the pharmaceutical industry.

The partnership is intended to support the pharmaceutical industry’s transition towards a more sustainable packaging solutions while maintaining product safety and performance.

The new bottles contain UPM's carbon-negative BioMEG and are produced from Selenis' partial BioPET resins.

This resulted in reduced carbon footprints without compromising the quality offered by traditional fossil PET.

These new pharmaceutical bottles have met European Pharmacopeia standards and will be globally available from Bormioli Pharma starting in the first quarter of 2025. 

UPM is developing an industry scale biorefinery that transforms woody biomass into high value biochemicals. 

The hardwood for this process will be sourced from sustainably managed beechwood forests near Leuna, Germany.

UPM biochemicals vice president Michael Duetsch said: “Our pioneering collaboration demonstrates that renewable, wood-based biochemicals can deliver the same high quality as fossil-based virgin materials, with significant environmental benefits.

“Bormioli Pharma’s containers provide a relevant solution for a market with limited and strictly monitored options to accelerate the sustainable transformation. It also provides tangible proof that scalable solutions are present in the market today.”

The high regulatory and performance standards in pharmaceutical packaging can restrict the use of new or recycled materials. However, the usage of standard PET made from BioMEG to improve sustainability.

Bormioli's commitment to using Selenis' partial BioPET for their bottles aligns with its goal to provide more sustainable packaging options.

This move also underscores the broader potential for regional plant-based resources to replace fossil resources in packaging applications with demanding requirements.

Selenis corporate strategy head Eduardo Santos said: "Selenis is thrilled to help drive forward the sustainable transformation of the pharmaceutical packaging industry with UPM and Bormioli Pharma, creating the world’s first European pharma-approved partial wood-based BioPET bottle."

Recently, UPM Specialty Papers partnered with Michelman to introduce three new structures for high-performance, recyclable paper packaging.