UPM, the giant Finnish forestry products company, has launched a wood-plastic composite (WPC) material in granule form to target potential users of WPCs in the injection moulding sector.
The composite combines polypropylene with virgin wood fibres, with the proportion of fibre varying between 20-60% depending on the moulded product's requirements.
UPM already makes WPC-based extruded products for decking and cladding under the brand name Profi. But the new composite marks a departure for UPM into supplying granules to injection moulders.
According to Stefan Fors, director of UPM's Advanced Fibre Materials unit: “The composite is ideal for electronic and automotive industries and is a good material for furniture, kitchenware and everyday use. Our strong point is the raw material – renewable wood-based pulp fibre.”
UPM’s new material can be coloured and is odourless. Three grades are on sale: G for general end-users such as toymakers, tableware manufacturers and disposable consumer items. Its S type was developed for special surfaces in furniture and kitchen applications while the T stands for technical and is aimed at companies involved in the production of electronics items.
Antti Kämäräinen, UPM sales manager, said: “Because it's a composite of cellulose fibre and polypropylene, it substitutes oil-based with renewable raw materials so it is environmentally friendly with a significantly lower carbon footprint compared with conventional plastics. It also has though, improved mechanical qualities in stiffness and strength and is perfect for injection moulding applications such as car interiors.
"It took us a year to get to this point as it's a new business area for us – but we're very excited about it."
The new composite, which has yet to be given a marketing name, will be presented to the trade public at the Lahti Plastics Exhibition on 16-18 November in the southern Finnish city of
Fors said: "Our aim is to find new international partners for our product and increase production with this business as its possibilities are extensive."