Consumables

Environmentally friendly natural fibre to replace chipboard, UPM ForMi biocomposite for kitchen fitting frames

Wednesday 30. January 2013 - Biocomposite UPM ForMi, produced by UPM, will soon replace chipboard as the main raw material used in Finnish kitchen fitting frames. Kitchen fitting manufacturer Puustelli Group Oy has developed, in cooperation with UPM, kitchen fitting frame components that increase the utilisation of renewable natural fibre and reduce the manufacturing carbon footprint by 35-45%.

“This is an important first step for UPM ForMi in the furniture industry. Naturally, we hope that the construction industry will follow Puustelli’s example and adopt the environmentally friendly material more extensively, not just in Finland but globally,” says Stefan Fors, Director, Biocomposites, UPM.
The biocomposite raw material is produced at UPM’s facility in Lahti, and the cellulose used for it comes from certified forests. The die-cast Puustelli frames include ready-made holes for mounting drawers, hinges and other mechanisms. A composite frame is evidently more resistant to stress and moisture than chipboard.
Managing Director Jussi Aine of Puustelli describes the production-related changes resulting from the biocomposite: “The new UPM raw material will revolutionise the manufacturing of kitchen fittings and also enable recycling of the frames. Furthermore, the lighter weight of the material will mean lower transport costs and increased energy savings in additional to distinctly lower formaldehyde emissions from the fittings.”
UPM will continue to analyse new uses for UPM ForMi. So far, the biocomposite has been used in furniture, speakers and a variety of household utility products. Around half of the oil-based plastic is replaced with cellulose fibres in UPM ForMi.
“As well as being an environmentally sound product, UPM ForMi will offer even more cost-competitive advantage in the future as production is ramped up,” Stefan Fors explains.