Self-adhesive label companies launch recycling initiative

PackagingSolutions

Finat, the European self-adhesive labelling industry association, has announced

the launch of ‘Celab-Europe’, a significant new initiative designed to create a circular economy for self-adhesive label materials in Europe. By establishing a representative value chain organisation, Celab-Europe will work to identify and collectively scale recycling and re-use solutions for the self-adhesive label liner and matrix materials. The initiative aims to develop a sustainable and circular business model for over 75% of the used liner and matrix materials in Europe by 2025.

The Celab-Europe consortium is part of Celab, a wider global self-adhesive industry initiative to create a sustainable self-adhesive labelling industry by offering solutions and providing education to enable matrix and liner recycling.

The organisation was created earlier this year by four labelstock suppliers – Arconvert-Ritrama, Avery Dennison, Herma, UPM Raflatac, and Finat. Nearly 20 leading players from across the label value chain in Europe have since committed to support the initiative, including raw materials producers (papers, films, silicones, adhesives), labelstock producers, and label companies. As the association with the largest interest group, Finat will host the project, with management undertaken by Sloop Consulting of The Netherlands (which was also involved in the foundation and management of the flexible packaging consortium Ceflex).

Finat president Chris Ellison (OPM Labels & Packaging, UK) stated: ‘Finat has always been active in raising awareness about the recycling of liner and matrix materials, and in promoting successful recycling solutions. I am proud and excited that our industry is now leveraging its resources collaboratively to take this important opportunity to the next level. Only with a collective effort that is shared across the value chain can we make a difference and contribute our part to achieving a circular business model for the labels and packaging industry in Europe.’