UPM Raflatac launches 100% recycled thermal paper labels with virgin-competitive functionality
09 Nov 2021 --- UPM Raflatac is introducing a full range of paper labels made with 100% recycled fibers, designed for food, retail and logistics labeling.
The range includes coated papers and Total Phenol Free-certified thermal paper labels made with recycled fibers to assist brand owners in reducing deforestation and enabling a circular economy.
UPM says the range is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified and the labels maintain the same functionalities as label material made from virgin fibers.
Ville Pollari, director, business segment VIP & Prime at UPM Raflatac, tells PackagingInsights there has previously not been the option to have an FSC certified 100% recycled content product matching virgin fiber requirements. “Now we have that option,” he says.
Pollari further underscores the products in this thermal paper range have high requirements on technical performance and functionality, including good printability and strength properties.
Alleviating deforestation
FSC-recycled means the labels have been verified as constituing 100% recycled content, either post- or pre-consumer reclaimed materials.
“The use of FSC-recycled products can help alleviate the pressure of demand on sources of virgin material, thereby helping to protect the world’s forests,” continues Pollari.
“In a world where resource scarcity and deforestation are still a reality, 100% recycled fiber paper can enable a circular economy by increasing the share of recycled material while at the same time maintaining the same functionalities as label material from virgin fibers.”
Notably, curbing deforestation is one of the main goals outlined at the ongoing UN Climate Conference (COP26), hosted in Glasgow, UK.
Political and regulatory influences
“Fiber-based Frenzy” is Innova Market Insights’ third top packaging trend for 2021, documenting the rising sophistication and availability of fiber-based solutions as viable alternatives to single-use plastics.
More stringent regulations are driving the transition from single-use plastics to fiber-based alternatives. The EU’s Plastics Strategy requires all packaging to be recyclable or reusable in an economically viable way by 2030, while its recently introduced plastics tax imposes a €0.80/kg (US$0.93/kg) levy on non-recycled plastic packaging waste.
Likewise, the UK is proposing a £200 (US$271) per ton tax rate for plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content, effective from April 2022.
UPM Raflatac in the news
In further bids to alleviate pressure on forests, UPM introduced Rafnxt+, the “world’s first” Carbon Neutral label material certified as a carbon-neutral product by Natural Capital Partners. Berry Gardens’ new labels first utilized Rafnxt+ in May.
Joining the recycled fibers bandwagon, UPM Specialty Papers extended its recyclable packaging paper portfolio with the introduction of an advanced barrier paper, called UPM Asendo Pro.
In other UPM developments, the company added a Direct Thermal linerless label design to its portfolio in February.
By Anni Schleicher
