Bio-based UPR resin – Exel Composites’ Major Move to Bio-Based UPR Resin Marks Powerful Sustainability Shift Delivering Lower Carbon Footprints and Smarter Composite Manufacturing Across Europe 15-11-2025
Bio-based UPR resin
The composites industry continues to evolve rapidly, and sustainability has become a central driver of innovation. Exel Composites, a global leader in pultruded and pull-wound composite solutions, has taken a significant step forward by adopting bio-based UPR resin at commercial scale. Through a new purchasing agreement with resin specialist Polynt, Exel is bringing hundreds of tonnes of this renewable resin into its European operations. The shift represents a major milestone in lowering emissions, improving material sustainability and offering customers high-performance composite products with a reduced environmental impact.
A Strategic Partnership Centered on Sustainability
Exel Composites’ new supply agreement with Polynt strengthens a partnership that spans more than three decades. Polynt, known for its expertise in engineered resin technologies, has developed an advanced bio-based UPR resin containing approximately 20% renewable content. This resin incorporates a sustainably sourced monomer derived from second- and third-generation biomass. Unlike first-generation bio-materials, these feedstocks do not compete with global food supply, making them a more responsible and future-proof choice.
Most importantly, the bio-based UPR resin functions as a true drop-in replacement for traditional fossil-based unsaturated polyester resins. This ensures that Exel can integrate the new material seamlessly into its established pultrusion processes without major modifications or workflow disruption.
Immediate Environmental Impact With Proven Carbon Reduction
Independent life cycle analyses (LCAs), based on Ecoinvent v3.11, confirm that this innovative bio-based UPR resin delivers up to a 20% reduction in carbon footprint compared with conventional UPR formulations. This is a significant improvement in an industry where material-related emissions play a major role in overall environmental performance.
One of the major advantages lies in Polynt’s regional production strategy. The bio-based monomer is sourced within Europe, while most other raw materials are manufactured at Polynt’s Italian facilities. Resin production takes place in Poland and France, and Exel will use the material in its European plants. This localized supply chain dramatically reduces transportation emissions—a critical factor in real-world sustainability performance.
Verified Performance Without Compromise
When switching to new materials, particularly those incorporating renewable content, product performance is often a major concern. Exel addressed this through extensive internal testing before entering commercial-scale purchasing. According to Kim Sjödahl, SVP of Technology and Sustainability at Exel Composites, the bio-based UPR resin performs identically to its fossil-based counterpart.
Mechanical behavior, processing characteristics and long-term durability were evaluated closely—and the results revealed no measurable differences. The resin’s full compatibility with established equipment and processing conditions allows Exel’s customers to adopt a more sustainable solution without sacrificing reliability or engineering performance.
A Shared Global Footprint Enables Scalable Impact
Both Exel and Polynt operate through a network of global production sites. This parallel footprint enables efficient, localized supply to customers, reducing lead times and lowering emissions associated with long-distance logistics. Regional availability also makes the adoption of bio-based UPR resin more practical for manufacturers who depend on consistent material delivery.
Lorenzo Grazia, EU Technical Service Manager UPR/GC at Polynt Group, notes that the collaboration aligns perfectly with Polynt’s strategy of promoting greener resin systems. By implementing bio-based solutions in high-volume materials like unsaturated polyester resin, the industry can accelerate its shift toward lower-carbon operations on a broad scale.
A Scalable Option for Customers Moving Toward Sustainable Composites
Exel’s customers will now have the option to specify the bio-based UPR resin in their composite products. This flexibility allows manufacturers to adopt more sustainable materials at their own pace while ensuring that no performance trade-offs occur. For many businesses facing rising environmental expectations, this choice creates a clear pathway toward reduced emissions and improved ESG metrics.
The introduction of this bio-based UPR resin reinforces Exel Composites’ commitment to continuous sustainability improvement. As more companies seek responsible material solutions, commercially available renewable resins play a pivotal role in reducing environmental impact without compromising technical capability.
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