Words by Isabel O’Brien
In a groundbreaking partnership, UPM Biochemicals, Selenis and Bormioli Pharma have introduced the pharmaceutical industry’s first bottle made with wood-based PET—a plastic derived partly from renewable wood sources instead of traditional fossil fuels.
This innovative packaging solution addresses the growing demand for sustainable materials in pharma, where strict regulations often limit the adoption of new, eco-friendly options.
The bottle incorporates UPM’s BioMEG, a plant-based material derived from sustainably managed wood. Unlike traditional PET, which is entirely fossil-based, BioMEG offers a reduced carbon footprint and is part of a broader move to decrease fossil resource dependency.
Critically, this wood-based PET bottle has met the rigorous standards of the European Pharmacopeia, a key quality benchmark across Europe, confirming its safety and performance in pharmaceutical applications.
As Michael Duetsch, Vice President of Biochemicals, UPM, explains: “Our pioneering collaboration demonstrates that renewable, wood-based biochemicals can deliver the same high quality as fossil-based virgin materials, with significant environmental benefits.” He highlights that the bottle can be processed and recycled within current systems, requiring no changes to existing recycling methods, making it a practical choice for the industry.
Set for a global release through Bormioli Pharma in early 2025, this wood-based PET bottle demonstrates the potential of renewable materials to meet the stringent requirements of pharmaceutical packaging while advancing sustainability in a traditionally resource-intensive sector.
