BPA free labels offered by UPM Raftlatac in light of looming EU ban

28 Jun 2018 --- Thermal paper, commonly used in the retail sector for receipt paper and weighing scale labels, has traditionally used Bisphenol A (BPA) as a color developer. However, new European Union legislation requires all thermal paper sold in Europe to be free of BPA after 2 January 2020. UPM Raflatac is, therefore, introducing three new sustainable, BPA-free label materials for retail weigh-price and backroom labeling applications as well as for logistics labeling: RAFNXT+, Thermal Eco BPA Free NXT+FSC and Retail Eco BPA Free NXT+FSC.

The new products enable printers to offer BPA-free, legislation-compliant thermal labels that come with the RAFNXT+ formula of sustainability credentials, including FSC certification.

Firstly, RAFNXT+ is a “next-generation” solution for sustainable packaging that uses raw materials. The label materials are proven to be 20 percent more carbon positive than standard paper materials, using less energy and water and generating less waste during their lifecycle, the company explained. 

Secondly and thirdly, Thermal Eco BPA Free NXT+FSC and Retail Eco BPA Free NXT+FSC label materials can be applied to packaging films and most common cardboards in short-life labeling applications such as retail weigh-scale, backroom and logistics labeling. They ensure on their part compliance with relevant food contact regulations and can be paired with a variety of different adhesives to ensure optimal performance at a range of temperatures. All four label materials are FSC certified, which guarantees that the wood raw material used to manufacture them is legally sourced and originates from sustainably managed forests.

“Many brands are incorporating net-positive principles into their strategies and targets, and the Forest Positive concept and RAFNXT+ product range is our answer to this. Thanks to their resource optimization, these products are not only more carbon positive than our standard range, but they also help our customers improve their productivity. Our Thermal Eco range now included products that offer all these benefits and have the added advantage of being BPA free,” says Ville Pollari, Director, VIP & Prime segment, EMEIA, UPM Raflatac.

What is BPA?
Bisphenol A is an organic synthetic compound widely used around the world in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins and as a color developer in thermal papers. It is also used in consumer products as varied as sports equipment and CDs, but recent concerns about safety have led to restrictions on its use. The latest is European Union regulation 2016/2235, which amends the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) Annex XVII restricted substances list. In practice, this legislative change means that thermal paper with concentrations of BPA above 0.02 percent in weight will be banned in Europe after January 2, 2020.

Color developer is usually about 1–1.5 percent of paperweight, so a maximum BPA level of 0.02 percent means that it can no longer be intentionally added during production. However, trace amounts of BPA (below 0.02 percent) that originate as residue transfer from the different stages of self-adhesive label production are acceptable.

Exposure to BPA is a concern because of possible health effects of BPA on the brain, behavior and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children.

By Laxmi Haigh