{"id":10777,"date":"2025-12-12T05:13:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T10:13:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=10777"},"modified":"2025-12-12T05:13:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T10:13:24","slug":"upm-launches-nir-detectable-bio-based-black-pigment-for-packaging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=10777","title":{"rendered":"UPM launches NIR-detectable bio-based black pigment for packaging\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The pigment is derived from renewable lignin. Credit: UPM <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

UPM has introduced UPM Circular Renewable Black, a bio-based black pigment designed to be detectable by near-infrared (NIR) sorting technology.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Finnish materials solutions group describes it as having a carbon-negative footprint.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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The material is targeted at high-end packaging applications and is intended to overcome long-standing recycling challenges linked to conventional carbon black.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The pigment is derived from renewable lignin and enables black packaging to be identified by NIR-based sorting systems commonly used in recycling facilities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Traditional carbon black typically hinders NIR detection, which can result in black plastics and packaging being misdirected to waste rather than recycled streams.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The new pigment retains the deep black appearance familiar from fossil-based carbon black while remaining compatible with existing industrial processing methods.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

It also supports precise NIR sorting, which can help increase recycling rates for black packaging.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Raw material for UPM Circular Renewable Black is sourced from forests certified under Forest Stewardship Council and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The pigment also carries International Sustainability & Carbon Certification Plus chain of custody certification.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The company positions the product within its broader range of CO\u2082-negative materials that will be produced at its \u20ac1.3bn ($1.52bn) biorefinery in Leuna, Germany.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

That facility converts sustainably harvested hardwood into biochemicals used in various sectors.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The pigment is described as having a \u201cverified cradle-to-gate carbon-negative footprint\u201d based on a lifecycle assessment carried out according to ISO 14040\/44 standards and reviewed by the Deutscher Kraftfahrzeug-\u00dcberwachungs-Verein\u00a0(German Motor Vehicle Inspection\/Monitoring Association). <\/p>\n

UPM highlights lignin as a widely available natural polymer and positions the pigment as a renewable replacement for fossil-derived black colourants.\u00a0<\/p>\n

UPM Biorefining <\/strong>commercial <\/strong>vice-president Robert Marx stated: \u201cWith UPM Circular Renewable Black, we are redefining what\u2019s possible in sustainable packaging.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis innovation combines iconic deep black with full recycling detectability and a carbon-negative footprint, proving that sustainability and design excellence can go hand in hand.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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