Entity

UPM Biochem GmbH, established on 16^th April 2020, and operating as UPM Biochemicals, is a pioneering company in the field of wood-based renewable biochemicals, headquartered in Leuna, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The company is a subsidiary of UPM, a global leader in the bio-based forest industry, and is at the forefront of transforming the chemical industry by replacing fossil-based raw materials with sustainable, wood-derived alternatives.

UPM Biochemicals is currently ramping up operations at its state-of-the-art Leuna Biorefinery, with full-scale commercial production expected to begin in the second half of 2025. This biorefinery represents a major investment—estimated at over €1.1 billion—and is the world’s first industrial-scale facility designed to convert sustainably sourced, certified hardwood into next-generation biochemicals.

A key milestone for UPM Biochemicals was the acquisition of SunCoal Industries GmbH, a German technology company specializing in lignin valorization and hydrothermal treatment technology. This acquisition has strengthened UPM’s technology portfolio, particularly in the development and production of renewable functional fillers, and supports the company’s ambitious growth in the biorefining sector.

UPM Biochemicals’ approach is deeply rooted in sustainability. The company leverages climate-neutral feedstocks from sustainable forestry, aiming to mitigate climate change and accelerate the transition to a circular bioeconomy. Its biochemicals are designed to be fully integrated into existing production and recycling processes, enabling renewable circularity across the chemicals value chain.