Sunpine breaks new ground – extracts alpha-Pinene from waste product

Sunpine is proud to be at the forefront of innovative waste management. Now they are taking waste management to the next level with a new process to extract alpha-Pinene from tall oil.

– We are incredibly proud to be unique in the world with this technology that allows us to have even less waste in our production, says Valeri Naydenov, R&D manager at Sunpine.

A unique patented process

Alpha-Pinene (α-Pinene) is a valuable chemical compound used in everything from fragrances and cosmetics, to fabric softeners and cleaning products. Typically, synthetic versions of the product are produced or it is extracted directly from pine trees through a labor-intensive process that is environmentally damaging.

Sunpine's new and patented process enables the extraction of alpha-Pinene from tall oil (a waste product from pulp mills) in a more sustainable and cost-effective way. The process simply means that even more of the waste product can be utilized.

“This breakthrough not only makes the raw material even more valuable, it also enables the production of more sustainable and natural products. It’s a win-win for everyone,” says Valeri Naydenov.

Positive health benefits

In addition to the everyday products mentioned above, alpha-Pinene is used to make camphor and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Studies also show that alpha-Pinene has many positive health benefits, from relieving stomach ulcers to slowing the growth of cancer. It can even improve short-term memory.

– It is a very popular and interesting product, and we are extremely excited to be able to offer a sustainable and natural alternative to those who use alpha-Pinene today, says Valerie Naydenov.

Sunpine plans to launch its alpha-Pinene on the market in 2023, and expects high demand from a variety of industries. In total, they expect to be able to produce 1,000–1,300 tons of alpha-Pinene per year.