UPM Raflatac announces further progress towards New Plastics Economy Global Commitment
Label Solutions Packaging Solutions
UPM Raflatac has made further progress toward a more circular economy for plastics and a future beyond fossils in 2022. The progress towards 2025 commitments is detailed in the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment 2023 Progress Report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The report provides transparency on how major businesses are addressing the plastic pollution crisis.
‘We joined the Global Commitment five years ago as the first label materials company. As a supplier in the packaging value chain, this presents an opportunity to transparently showcase our actions to provide solutions for brands and designers as they aim for more circular packaging,’ said Robert Taylor, sustainability director, UPM Raflatac.
As highlighted in the report, UPM Raflatac continued its work toward a future beyond fossils by taking several notable actions in 2022.
The company introduced Ocean Action labels. The innovative label material not only helps prevent plastic waste from ending up in the oceans but also offers brand owners the possibility to meet their recycled content targets for packaging.
It also extended its carbon neutral product portfolio, with certifications in accordance with the CarbonNeutral Protocol for Rafnxt+ and linerless label materials. During 2022, customers avoided and reduced label material carbon emissions by over 5000 tonnes of CO2e simply by selecting Rafnxt+ labels instead of standard label materials.
As highlighted in the report, UPM Raflatac received RecyClass recognitions for pressure sensitive labels for PP and HDPE container recycling, addressing the issue of recycling stream contamination. The granted recognitions expand its portfolio of RecyClass recognised PE label materials and extend the portfolio to include PP label materials.
In addition, the company earned recognition from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for its undecorated white and clear PP (polypropylene) pressure sensitive label materials, specifically designed for PP bottle recycling.
RafCycle, the company’s label waste recycling service, also remained strong as the number of partnerships expanded from about 300 to over 400. The service recycles label waste and gives them new life.
In 2022, the sales of UPM Raflatac’s bio based plastic increased by over 70%. Forest Film, a renewable alternative to plastics, is one of the company’s solutions to replace traditional fossil based options.
Furthermore, its products with recycled content saw significant sales growth, including film face materials and film liners with increased recycled content.
‘The Global Commitment has been significant in developing the packaging circularity agenda and meaningful progress has been made. We need to keep the ambition and UPM Raflatac will continue to accelerate concrete actions to tackle plastic waste through the development of its product and service offer,’ Robert said.
