UPM Raflatac has launched Forest Film PE to complement its range of sustainable film-labelling solutions. The new PE film label takes UPM Raflatac forward in its quest for a smarter future beyond fossils and decreasing the use of fossil-based virgin raw materials in home and personal care labeling applications. “We want to bring value to our clients by offering a wide variety of sustainable alternatives,” said Timo Kekki, Vice-President, Films, SBU UPM Raflatac.
“Examples of these include Forest Film PE and PP, the first wood-based film label materials on the market, and PP PCR manufactured from post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic. “As one of the signatories to the Ellen MacArthur New Plastic Economy initiative we will continue driving the industry forward by innovating products that reduce the use of non-renewable virgin raw materials.”
The Forest Film PE label material is produced in collaboration with UPM Biofuels and Dow. UPM Biofuels provides the 100% wood residue-based raw material UPM BioVerno naphtha, which is then processed by Dow into bio-based plastic granules to be extruded into label film. “This new product shows the versatility of UPM BioVerno as a raw material,” said Panu Routasalo, Vice President, UPM Biofuels.
“Crude tall oil, a residue of paper pulp production, is transformed into UPM BioVerno naphtha, which can be used as raw material for different kinds of plastics. “This helps brand owners meet their sustainability goals in packaging,” Forest Film PE starts UPM’s collaboration with Dow in labeling applications.
Last year, Dow announced the commercialisation of bio-plastics offerings for the packaging and labelling industry made from a bio-based renewable feedstock. Dow integrated the wood-based UPM BioVerno naphtha – a key raw material used to develop plastics – into its slate of raw materials, creating an alternative source for plastics production. Dow uses this feedstock to produce different types of bio-based polyethylenes (PE).