Exel has entered into a new purchasing agreement with global resin specialist Polynt to purchase hundreds of tonnes of its bio-based unsaturated polyester resin (UPR). The collaboration represents another significant step in Exel’s transition towards lower-carbon composites manufacturing, with the resin available for European customers’ orders now. 

The resin, developed by Polynt, contains about 20% bio-based content thanks to the introduction of a renewable monomer. The Italian producer sources this monomer from second- and third-generation biomass; feedstocks that do not compete with food crops. This sustainable material offers a drop-in replacement for traditional fossil-based resins, ensuring full compatibility with Exel’s existing pultrusion processes. 

Compared with conventional UPR, independent lifecycle analyses (LCAs) show that the bio-based formulation delivers a 20% reduction in carbon footprint according to Ecoinvent v3.11. Polynt sources the monomer in Europe and produces most of the raw materials in its Italian plants. The resin is produced in Polynt’s production facilities in Poland and France, and will be used in Exel’s European plants. This ensures minimal transportation-related emissions throughout the entire supply chain. 

“Our internal testing shows no measurable difference in performance between this bio-based resin and the fossil-based equivalent,” said Kim Sjödahl, SVP of Technology and Sustainability at Exel Composites. “Mechanical properties, processing characteristics and durability are all identical. This means our customers can choose a more sustainable option without compromising quality or reliability.” 

Exel and Polynt share a similar global footprint, with multiple production sites across the world. This regionalised structure allows both companies to supply customers locally, reducing delivery times and logistics-related emissions. 

“This partnership builds on more than 30 years of collaboration between our companies,” said Lorenzo Grazia, EU Technical Service Manager UPR/GC at Polynt Group. “Polynt is committed to helping customers like Exel reduce their environmental impact through practical, scalable solutions. Introducing bio-based building blocks into high-volume resin systems is one of the most effective ways to move our industry toward lower emissions.” 

Exel’s customers will have the choice of adopting this resin as part of their product specification. By working with long-term partners such as Polynt, Exel continues to advance sustainable manufacturing in composites. For contractors bidding for tenders, lower-carbon materials can be an excellent way to increase their proposal’s appeal.