Long considered incompatible with recycling, black has found a new function in packaging. Finland's UPM has unveiled UPM Circular Renewable Black, a black pigment derived from lignin, compatible with NIR (near infrared) sorting center detection, heralded as biobased and with a negative carbon footprint.
Optical sorting using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) relies on the analysis of wavelengths reflected by materials to identify their nature. However, carbon black-based pigments, still widely used in packaging, absorb these infrared signals, making objects invisible to sorting center sensors. As a result, most of this black recyclable packaging is sent for incineration or landfill. The second problem with carbon black is its environmental impact: its production emits CO2 and fine particles.
While other detectable solutions already exist on the market, such as CTLpack's solution for polypropylene (PE) and polyethylene (PP) tubes and caps, or Elixance's solution (Noir Nir Mo 42595 and Noir Nir Mo 42941) for PE and PP, UPM has a unique feature: a formulation derived from lignin, a co-product of the wood industry, integrated into a biosourced and certified (FSC, PEFC, ISCC+) industrial logic.
UPM guarantees that its lignin-based pigment has a negative carbon footprint, in accordance with ISO 14040/44 standards: "Our carbon-negative black pigment doesn't just reduce carbon emissions; it actively captures carbon for the duration of its use." .
The pigment, which is said to offer a visual density comparable to fossil blacks, is aimed primarily at the premium plastic and rubber packaging segment, where the aesthetics of deep black are still in demand despite recyclability constraints.
According to Robert Marx, Vice-President Sales, Biorefining Division, "this innovation combines iconic deep black with complete detectability for recycling and a negative carbon footprint, proving that sustainability and design excellence can go hand in hand."
UPM's Circular Renewable Black is part of the company's carbon-negative product range, which comes from its ?1.3 billion biorefinery in Leuna, Germany. The plant represents the largest industrial investment in biochemicals in Europe, claims the manufacturer.
