The introduction of UPM Solargo represents a significant step towards sustainable agriculture. Its innovative bio-based approach meets growing demand for eco-friendly solutions, driving expected growth in the agrochemicals market and promoting a greener farming future.

Finland: UPM Biochemicals has unveiled its latest offering, the UPM Solargo range of bio-based plant stimulants, marking the company's entry into the lucrative agrochemicals market. This innovative product line provides a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil raw materials-based products.

Designed for sustainable agriculture, UPM Solargo biostimulants offer scientifically proven benefits across a wide array of crops grown in both fields and greenhouses. They boast a significantly optimized environmental footprint compared to traditional fossil-based products, enhancing plant growth by improving soil microbiome quality and boosting water retention.

Diverging from traditional fertilizers, UPM Solargo biostimulants don't directly supply nutrients to plants. Instead, they enhance nutrient absorption, utilization efficiency, and stress tolerance. Extensive testing has demonstrated that UPM Solargo products can increase both crop yield and quality. Notably, they have the potential to reduce the demand for classical fertilizers based on nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), which are responsible for up to 80% of CO2 emissions in crop production.

Derived from renewable sources, UPM Solargo biostimulants are a natural product containing plant-based polyphenols sourced from lignin. This bio-based, non-toxic raw material offers promise in reducing our reliance on fossil resources across various applications. After successful test marketing in major European markets, UPM has initiated the full-scale rollout of UPM Solargo.

In line with their commitment to a sustainable future, UPM aims to introduce more environmentally friendly materials, such as their sustainable lignin solutions, to the market. UPM Biochemicals operates within the broader UPM Biorefining growth area, focused on scaling refineries that produce a range of renewable fuels and chemicals from sustainable biomass.

Christian Hübsch, Director Sales & Marketing Biochemicals at UPM, said, “The launch of UPM Solargo marks the successful end of many years of research and development. By bringing this family of novel, bio-based plant stimulants to market, we establish yet another, entirely new category of high value sustainable chemicals and live up to our commitment to pioneer sustainable chemistry. The reduction of CO2 emissions across industries can only work if we scale the replacement of materials and chemicals which are based on fossil raw materials – across sectors. The agricultural sector is particularly important in that respect, as the effect of bio-based, sustainable products such as UPM Solargo goes beyond climate change mitigation. It also supports increasingly important sustainability goals for the agricultural sector by improving soil health, soil productivity and biodiversity thereby effectively mitigating the negative effects of traditional fertilizers, mainly nitrification, erosion and disturbance in soil microbiota.”

According to TechSci Research, the introduction of UPM Solargo into the agrochemicals market is poised to have a substantial impact on its growth trajectory. This innovative range of bio-based plant stimulants not only offers a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-based products but also brings a new category of high-value, environmentally friendly chemicals to farmers worldwide. With an increasing emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly practices in agriculture, UPM Solargo meets a growing demand for solutions that not only enhance crop productivity but also minimize environmental impact. As farmers seek ways to improve soil health, increase yield, and reduce their carbon footprint, the market for biostimulants like UPM Solargo is expected to experience significant growth.

Additionally, the product's proven benefits in improving soil microbiome quality and water retention provide a compelling case for its adoption across a broad spectrum of crops in both field and greenhouse settings. The potential to reduce reliance on traditional fertilizers, which are major contributors to CO2 emissions and soil degradation, further underscores the importance of UPM Solargo in driving sustainable practices in agriculture. As more farmers recognize the value of sustainable solutions for their operations, the agrochemicals market is likely to see a shift towards bio-based products like UPM Solargo, driving growth and innovation in the sector while promoting a greener, more sustainable future for agriculture.