In an effort to contribute to the circular economy, UPM Raflatac has developed a sustainable wood-based polypropylene film material to use to label foods. The material was developed in collaboration with UPM Biofuels using UPM BioVerno naphtha.
The labels are 100 percent biodegradable and are a substantial step towards a new labeling process that is beyond fossil-based raw materials. “At UPM Raflatac, we support the circular economy by innovating circular labeling solutions, but that is not enough. We are aiming higher by making sure that the raw materials we use are as sustainable as possible,” says Antti Jääskeläinen, Executive Vice President, UPM Raflatac. The material is made from wood fiber, biomolecules, residues, and side streams.
The brand hopes to catapult its clients and others to implement more environmentally friendly processes and consumption choices.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Sustainable Film Materials
- The development of sustainable film materials that are beyond fossil-based raw materials presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the packaging industry.
- Circular Labeling Solutions
- Innovating circular labeling solutions presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the labeling industry to support the circular economy.
- Wood Fiber-based Materials
- The development of wood fiber-based materials that are 100 percent biodegradable presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the materials industry to meet the demand for sustainable solutions.
Where This Applies
- Packaging Industry
- The packaging industry can leverage the development of sustainable film materials to offer consumers environmentally friendly packaging alternatives.
- Labeling Industry
- The labeling industry can innovate circular labeling solutions to support the circular economy and contribute to more sustainable packaging practices.
- Materials Industry
- The materials industry can develop wood fiber-based materials that are 100 percent biodegradable to meet the increasing demand for sustainable solutions.
