UPM Raflatac introduces FSC-certified, recycled label materials for alcoholic drinks

27 Jun 2023 --- UPM Raflatac is launching its wine, spirits and beverage label materials collection branded Rêverie 3 that uses recycled fibers in labels. The new collection offers five Spanish designers FSC-certified labels with varying percentages of PCR content, which suits various requirements.

The Rêverie 3 collection offers packaging designers a toolkit of visually appealing labels made with materials from well-managed, FSC-certified forests, recycled materials and other controlled sources. 

“The label designs in the Rêverie 3 collection were created for high-end wine, spirits, sparkling cider, craft beer and tomato juice drinks, with excellent execution of the artworks with different printing techniques managed by Gráficas Varias,” says Joss Ramel, packaging solutions manager for Spain and Portugal at UPM Raflatac. 

Partnering for label collections 
Brands increasingly see the inclusion of FSC and PCR packaging as a necessity, observes UPM and with this in mind, five of the company’s responsibly sourced label materials were given to five Spanish design agencies, with the brief to create a new collection.

The five UPM Raflatac label materials that were chosen are:

• Biarritz WSA PCR-FSC (20% recycled fibers): Created for use with high-quality wine and spirits labeling applications, the material’s natural pigmentation accentuates the label’s premium appearance. 
• Drops WSA PCR-FSC (100% recycled fibers): Designed for high-quality wine and spirits labeling applications, the label material features an accentuated uneven, textured surface combining a translucent effect and enhanced tactility due to a unique paper-making process.
• Fenix WSA PCR-FSC (40% recycled fibers): Developed for high-quality wine and spirits labeling applications, this paper shows minimal impurities, hinting at the recycled content. 
• Hipster WSA PCR-FSC (100% recycled fibers): Created for high-quality wine and spirits labeling applications, it has a white shade that is combined with a surface that enables the creation of labels with unique personality. 
• Vintage WSA PCR-FSC (30% recycled fibers): The material is suitable for wine, spirits and beverage labeling applications where an authentic and artisanal look is desired, as it has a kraft brown shade. 

The label designs were created for high-end alcoholic beverages.Progressing industry
Miguel Angel del Baño from Estudio Maba comments on their experience using UPM Raflatac’s label materials: “We designers have a responsibility and a duty to use materials of this kind. The industry is progressing. Suppliers have more and more options for using sustainable materials. Having a range of recycled papers with this much personality and quality that are hyper-specialized is amazing for us designers.”

“It allows for high-quality projects, which to some extent is not often the case with recycled papers,” adds Albert Puigdemont at Estudio Puigdemont Roca.

“What the designers have done with the materials has taken it to the next level. It shows what can be done when high-quality materials are combined with creativity. This collaboration has shown that recycled fiber materials can stand alongside other labels and deliver quality and impact,” concludes Eulalia Alcaraz, business director at UPM Raflatac.

Edited by Natalie Schwertheim