CXO INSIGHT

We are actively engaging with industry partners to develop new , sustainable applications and products based on the biochemicals to be produced in Leuna and Lappeenranta . It is only via open collaboration and active partnerships that we can jointly transform the chemical value chain towards more sustainability , to ensure a future beyond fossils .

How do the automotive and fashion industries rely heavily on fossil fuels ?

Today , still more than 98 % of carbon feedstock comes from fossil resources with a future demand of plastics expected to triple by 2050 to reach more than 1,100 Mt per year . One car has typically more than 30,000 parts , many of them made from fossil fuel-derived materials .

Climate change , raw material scarcity , regulatory pressure and consumer preferences for sustainable products are all critical drivers for the automotive industry as it moves to replace fossil-based materials with renewable products in its supply chain .

Building a climate neutral car requires innovation across the full spectrum , including the use of renewable energy , advancements in battery technology , increased utilisation of recycled materials and the adoption of green energy for charging vehicles . Even traditional fossil-based materials used in car parts , such as window seals and seat belts , need to be replaced with sustainable alternatives .

Looking at the fashion industry , approximately 60 % of all materials used are made from fossilbased polymers ( European Environment Agency , 2019 ). One of the issues that seriously affects the sustainability credentials of the industry is the manufacturing process of polyester – polyester is one of the world ’ s most popular textiles , and it is used in thousands of different consumer and industrial applications .

However , most polyester is made from fossil-based feedstock making the polyester manufacturing process fundamentally unsustainable and detrimental to the climate . It is also likely that the chemical industry ’ s existing and upcoming efforts are falling too short to stay within the planetary boundaries for fossilbased feedstocks .

UPM Biochemicals has embarked on a mission to change this and transform the automotive and textile industries towards sustainability .

How can these industries become more sustainable ?

While the automotive industry has come a long way to build zero-emission vehicles , it must still address CO 2 emissions throughout the cycle of the manufacturing process to meet strict net zero targets across fleets by 2050 set out by the European Union .

For this , automakers have already established strategic plans . One of the most ambitious ones , Polestar , aims to build the world ’ s first truly climate neutral car by as soon as 2030 .

However , several vehicle manufacturers have expressed concerns that they cannot achieve this alone . The entire value chain , from automakers to suppliers of parts and raw materials , need to work in close collaboration to innovate , without compromising on technical or environmental performance .

Solid wood from sustainably managed forests is poised to revolutionise the manufacturing of rubber and plastic parts but also textiles and coolants , usually made from fossil materials .

One of the products from the biorefinery is a Renewable Functional Filler , which serves as an essential , sustainable component in various applications such as plastic interiors , bumpers or weatherstrips . The second main product will be renewable glycols ( BioMEG ), which help make automotive textiles , such as seat covers , seat belts and upholstery but also coolants more sustainable . A range of bio-based and CO 2

-optimised engine and battery coolants will soon be available . In addition , at the Lappeenranta biorefinery in Finland , UPM produces bio-naphtha , a drop-in solution that works identically to fossil-based www . intelligentcxo . com

45